Need Advice 2007 Crew Cab Dually Duramax Is Constintly In Shop

bmdupont · December 12, 2008

The Duramax was purchased new from the dealership and has been in the shop since. It is a little over a year old.

Things that have gone so far, engine light kept coming on so we took it in and they determined it was leaking coolant.

It was in and out of the shop about 6 times, whenever we needed to use the truck we had to bring a couple gallons of coolant with us.

After about 6 months of the truck being in and out of the shop, mostly in, the dealer decided it would be best to just do an engine swap on the truck.

So here we are now with a new engine and the truck is still in the shop constintly. Engine light keeps coming on for a variety of problems and we havent driven the truck for over a month without if having to go back in.

The truck isnt doing baja's or anything, it is used about once or twice a week to pull a horse trailer about 20 miles.

Does the lemon law come into affect at any point? What do you guys think? Had a 2002 duramax before and didnt have any problems, loved the truck.

fbachman · December 12, 2008

The Duramax was purchased new from the dealership and has been in the shop since. It is a little over a year old.

Things that have gone so far, engine light kept coming on so we took it in and they determined it was leaking coolant.

It was in and out of the shop about 6 times, whenever we needed to use the truck we had to bring a couple gallons of coolant with us.

After about 6 months of the truck being in and out of the shop, mostly in, the dealer decided it would be best to just do an engine swap on the truck.

So here we are now with a new engine and the truck is still in the shop constintly. Engine light keeps coming on for a variety of problems and we havent driven the truck for over a month without if having to go back in.

The truck isnt doing baja's or anything, it is used about once or twice a week to pull a horse trailer about 20 miles.

Does the lemon law come into affect at any point? What do you guys think? Had a 2002 duramax before and didnt have any problems, loved the truck.

Go to google and search on "Lemon Law Attorney ______" where the blank is where you type in your state.

The attorney needs to tell you what the criterion/processes are for YOUR STATE. To invoke the lemon law, there is a PARTICULAR process and sequence of events that need to be followed. I am almost positive you signed an arbitration agreement (may actually be a law in your state) saying that you would enter into arbitration prior to seeking legal remedies, but, again, an attorney can give you the best advice.

Sorry for all of the headaches. TO ME (unprofessional opinion), it sounds like a lemon law attorney is the next step to advise you on how best to proceed.

Have you tried another dealer? Could be that the dealer you have isn't a good one.

Zembonez · December 12, 2008

The Duramax was purchased new from the dealership and has been in the shop since. It is a little over a year old.

Things that have gone so far, engine light kept coming on so we took it in and they determined it was leaking coolant.

It was in and out of the shop about 6 times, whenever we needed to use the truck we had to bring a couple gallons of coolant with us.

After about 6 months of the truck being in and out of the shop, mostly in, the dealer decided it would be best to just do an engine swap on the truck.

So here we are now with a new engine and the truck is still in the shop constintly. Engine light keeps coming on for a variety of problems and we havent driven the truck for over a month without if having to go back in.

The truck isnt doing baja's or anything, it is used about once or twice a week to pull a horse trailer about 20 miles.

Does the lemon law come into affect at any point? What do you guys think? Had a 2002 duramax before and didnt have any problems, loved the truck.

Go to google and search on "Lemon Law Attorney ______" where the blank is where you type in your state.

They attorney needs to tell you what the criterion/processes are for YOUR STATE.

Have you tried another dealer? Could be that the dealer you have isn't a good one.

I'm with Frank on this one. Check locally and see what is required. Obviously what you are experiencing isn't normal... for whatever reason.

jecpontiac · December 12, 2008

The arbitration is thru the Better Business Bureau (BBB). There is a number to call in your owner's manual. I went thru this with the panaromic sunroof on my wife's 2005 G6.

Generally GM does not want the case to go thru abritration and will offer to buyback the vehicle if the problems are as serious as you describe. Within days after I called the BBB arbitration # I got a call from GM wanting to work out a deal to have me drop the arbitration case. I eventually got GM to buyback the car and ordered a new one.

It can be kind of a long process but don't give up until they make it right. If you haven't already, talk to someone in Mgt. in your dealership and see if they will help you thru the process. A good dealership will.

bmdupont · January 2, 2009

Thanks guys, sorry for not responding sooner. We got the truck back and within a week its back in the shop, oh man!! I have to drive by it each day on to and from work. It has become a permanent fixture at the dealership. I have tried other dealers and they would "fix" the problem and a new one would pop up or the same one would happen again.

I think I will try the BBB number, I will let you know how it goes.

Again thanks for the help

MarkD · January 2, 2009

Seriously, talk to an attorney, most will do the initial for free.

BuckFeverZ · January 2, 2009

Man, I'm pissed just reading that. Can't imagine how you feel. I would definitely investigate the criteria you need to meet in order to enact the lemon law.

jrrod2004 · January 3, 2009

If I was working for GM, I would have already gotten wind of his case and already started the process for repurchase...

SLESierra · January 3, 2009

What is sad about that entire process is his initial problem was probably the EGR Cooler - Seems the LMM was or maybe still is overheating them and cracking them causing antifreeze leakage. Now that the dealer changed the motor they introduced a nightmare because it was evident they did not know what they were doing to begin with.

jrrod2004 · January 3, 2009

What is sad about that entire process is his initial problem was probably the EGR Cooler - Seems the LMM was or maybe still is overheating them and cracking them causing antifreeze leakage. Now that the dealer changed the motor they introduced a nightmare because it was evident they did not know what they were doing to begin with.

It wasnt the dealer's fault. I can almost guarantee you a DVM was involved with the decision...that is a huge warranty item and I cant rememeber any engine/trans replacement that did not involve the DVM...

SLESierra · January 3, 2009

Good point but that is still sad to see a man pay over 40K for a vehicle and have to jump through straws to get his money out of it

redvett · January 3, 2009

Actually if the owner is a GM employee and purchased the vehicle with a GMS or PEP or other discount they signed an agreement that they must go to arbitration.

jrrod2004 · January 3, 2009

Actually if the owner is a GM employee and purchased the vehicle with a GMS or PEP or other discount they signed an agreement that they must go to arbitration.

it should be all customers, not just e mployees

SLESierra · January 3, 2009

The UAW got that put in I bet - now that was a smart move - wonder why government could not do that for us LOL

pm26 · January 3, 2009

What is sad about that entire process is his initial problem was probably the EGR Cooler - Seems the LMM was or maybe still is overheating them and cracking them causing antifreeze leakage. Now that the dealer changed the motor they introduced a nightmare because it was evident they did not know what they were doing to begin with.

I have a liquid cooled, electrically operated EGR valve in my Mazda 626 V6 and never had any issue with it (219k miles and counting). I guess in this Duramax case the valve body must be seriously overheating to cause coolant to turn to steam and crack the casing.

As SuperStealth had remarked recently - these new Duramaxes have too many emission controls and this spells trouble.