Warranty problems

[MarkD]

I am pi$$ed!

 

I bought my 1999 Sierra 3 door on March 28,2002 (not quite 2 months ago).  The shifter was hard to use, I was told that was characteristic for a '99.  I purchased a 12mo/12k mi warranty for $1280 extra to cover any fears I had about reliability (80k miles on truck).

 

I carried my Sierra K1500 in for service last Wednesday.  I made an 8 a.m. appointment the day before.  I hoped to get it back friday to do some towing with it.

 

It sat where I parked it all day wednesday and thursday (with out being touched) until friday.

 

I carried it in for 3 problems...

 

1-shifter is incredibly hard to shift (bad cable or shifter maybe)

2-ABS and brake light came on on instrument cluster

3-Steering column groan

 

I also wanted them to calibrate the new instrument cluster for my mileage.

 

-------------------------------

Problems

Item 1-  Shifter cable is not covered by warranty $250+labor

Item 2-  ABS module is bad, not covered by warranty  

           $775+labor

Item 3-  Steering gear needs replacing $350+labor (warranty

           covered) Should be in monday

Item 4-  They cannot calibrate odometer, and don't know

           who can

----------------------------------------

Questions...

 

Am I stupid to think that the ABS module should be covered under the best GM warranty available?

 

Am I stupid to think the Shifter cable should be covered by the best GM warranty available?

 

Who can calibrate the cluster I bought from Tbyrne?

 

Do I have any alternatives?

 

The tow job has been put off indefinately to rearrange particulars.

[MountaineerTom]

Problems

Item 1-  Shifter cable is not covered by warranty $250+labor

Item 2-  ABS module is bad, not covered by warranty  

           $775+labor

That sucks!

 

Will they not cover these two at all, or just becasue of being out of the warranty by a couple months?  As far as the ABS module, I'd press that as a possible safety concern.  Tell them you know that it's a known fact that lots of '99 and some '00's have problems with the module.  Take it to the district/area rep, they may work with you.

 

Good luck.

[MarkD]

No, the vehicle is still covered by warranty, but neither of these items are warranteed!!

[MountaineerTom]

No, the vehicle is still covered by warranty, but neither of these items are warranteed!!

Oops, my mistake.  I thought it said March 2001.

 

Did they tell you why it wasn't covered?  That doesn't seem right.  What were the details of your warranty?  (Bumper to bumper, drive train only, etc.)

[RyanbabZ71]

THey should be covered then why did you buy the warranty?  

 

I would complain to every person i could

[MarkD]

It gets even better...

 

I have to pay $196 "diagnosis time" for the ABS and shifter problems!  Plus the $100 deductible for the warrantee.

 

The warranty I have is called the GM Value Guard Protection plan.

 

Out of pocket...$296 to repair something that would cost $350 without warrantee!

[kevinc]

Your gripe is with the warranty company, not the dealer.  Dig out your warranty contract and contact them for dispute resolution.  

 

I had a similar disagreement with a 3rd party warranty company and was able to resolve it with a few phone calls, ending with all work covered.  

 

I'd take the truck back un-fixed...don't run up a bill while this is unresolved.  Get a written estimate from the dealer, get the warranty company involved, and have a go at it.  If no-go, review the warranty contract to be sure the items in question are covered and get the Better Business Bureau involved.

[MarkD]

My warranty company is GM.

 

Regardless of whether or not the warranty covers these items, which they should, I don't think the dealer should ream me for $200 on top of it.

 

I spoke with the warranty company, GM, at 1-800-631-5590.

 

The tech informed me that if the item was not SPECIFICALLY LISTED in the agreement booklet, then it wasn't covered.

 

For instance... the fuel pump, efi sensors,injectors,tb assembly is covered, but the fuel line is not.

 

I will be calling my salesman again shortly.

[GreenRado]

Man that sucks!!  I agree w/ Tom - you might have a case w/ the ABS module, but you'll need to go up the chain of command to get anywhere with it.

 

Otherwise, I think you're hosed - they got you between a rock and a hard place.  If you do get covered for the ABS module, be sure they knock off the "diagnosis" charge for the ABS part.  good advice from someone else here- try to not pay any more until you get this resolved.  

 

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[MarkD]

King Cadillac in Florence, SC still has the truck to fix the steering (under warranty).  I told them Friday to STOP on anything that wasn't covered by warrantee.

 

I gave them a list of requested repairs, with everything listed under Warrantee except the odo recalibration.

 

I just had a long talk with my salesman.  As politely as I could, I discussed the matter with him, without threats.  He is supposed to talk with management to try to find someone with a conscience regarding my 40 day old truck. ???

 

I didn't keep from him the fact that I had several friends looking to purchase new GMC's in the next month or so.

[Tobes]

With the truck being so "new" (to you), you have to wonder if the dealer knew these things needed to be replaced and decided to pass the problem on to the consumer.   :angry:

 

 

I guess that is why used car dealers have such a "great" reputation... ???

 

Not to mention warranty companies.  You look at some of the "cheap" cars that advertise 100,000 mile/10yr warranty to see that it only covers drivetrain.  If that is not deceptive advertising, I don't know what is.....

[MarkD]

I spoke to my salesman again at about 5pm.  He told me that his "used car manager" was looking into it, trying to get all of the facts.  He told me that it would ultimately be his or Mr. King's decision.

 

All I know is I am ready to get my truck back!  Olds Alero's SUCK!

[SilveradoWV]

GreenRado is kind of right, they have you between a rock and a hard place, especially if they can prove it in the fine print area that we all love so much! And those warranties other manufacturers advertise are pretty bad, the fine print on the dodge warranty is "limited powertrain warranty and a deductable applies" I can only imagine how good that warranty is when the say "limited powertrain"!

[Guest Friz]

Continue to plead your case with the dealer, area rep, etc, until they show you the door. Make sure that the Sales Manager and Owner are aware of what happened. Tell them that you feel that your only recourse is try to ensure that this never happens to another consumer again. On your way out, express your displeasure very politely to every customer on the lot. Then go to your local news station. Then call the Better Business Bureau.

Chances are good, you won't get past the first customer without getting your truck fixed.

[MarkD]

I haven't heard back from the saleman yet, but I hope it won't come to that(Friz).

 

I am thinking of making up flyers though.   Can't you see it now...

 

I walk in to the service department to get my truck with 500 copies of a flyer that accross the top, in bold print reads...

 

WHY DO I REGRET BUYING A VEHICLE FROM KING CADILLAC

 

If I am not satisfied with the result, then calmly state, "Well, I guess I am off to the Malls, Wal-Mart, and the B B B.

 

(I sure talk tough don't I)