GM's Un Kept Promise
Senior Member
Joined: 11-15-2008
Posts: 1,599
From: Newburgh, NY
I have had 3 problems with my history of owning GM vehicles. In all 3 cases, the dealer took a C**P on me and it took GM themselves to come through.
In the first case, my Chevy Astro had a clunking sound from the engine. It had 35k mi on it, and the warrantee was limited to 36k mi. A dealer replaced the fuel filter for $60. Still had the clunking. When I went under the truck to check the work, THE ARROW ON THE FILTER BODY WAS POINTING TO THE GAS TANK, against the flow! GM got involved, diagnosed it as piston slap and had the engine (short block) replaced. No charge. It cost me more to have the dealer put the fuel filter in wrong than GM to replace the engine. And I received an additional 36k mi warrantee from GM.
Second case was the xfer case fluid in my wife's Olds Bravada. The dealer said that a TSB required a double change of the fluid (change, flush, change). They charged me for 2 xfer case fluid changes. My manual only read that it needed to be changed once. Again, I went though GM arbitration and they refunded me the amount for the 2nd fluid change.
The third case was with my current HHR SS. The car had 37500 miles on it when the lower TMAP sensor that is part of the Turbo Upgrade Kit went. The dealer charged me $300 to change it. I went to GM arbitration once again and after reviewing my case, refunded me the $300.
THEN THERE'S MY TOYOTA PICKUP! I bought it new and owned it for 3 years. I keep my vehicles immaculate and this one was no different. After 3 years of ownership, the bodyside started dimpling from the inside out. Upon inspection, the electronic body welds were rusting from the inside out and causing the sheet metal on the body to become wavy. I went to Toyota (factory, not dealer). Toyota flat out told me that it is normal wear and tear and would not honor any remediation. I have since owned GM or Ford vehicles (I have 1 Suzuki, which is the exception). All of the incidents mentioned above were after my dissatisfaction with Toyota.
It seems most people blame the manufacturer for the ineptness of the dealership. They need to talk directly to the manufacturer if problems are not resolved or if they feel something is unfair. It's like blaming McDonalds for a dirty franchise restaurant.
GM HAS ALWAYS KEPT THEIR PROMISES TO ME. Although some are good, it's not always so with some dealerships.
In the first case, my Chevy Astro had a clunking sound from the engine. It had 35k mi on it, and the warrantee was limited to 36k mi. A dealer replaced the fuel filter for $60. Still had the clunking. When I went under the truck to check the work, THE ARROW ON THE FILTER BODY WAS POINTING TO THE GAS TANK, against the flow! GM got involved, diagnosed it as piston slap and had the engine (short block) replaced. No charge. It cost me more to have the dealer put the fuel filter in wrong than GM to replace the engine. And I received an additional 36k mi warrantee from GM.
Second case was the xfer case fluid in my wife's Olds Bravada. The dealer said that a TSB required a double change of the fluid (change, flush, change). They charged me for 2 xfer case fluid changes. My manual only read that it needed to be changed once. Again, I went though GM arbitration and they refunded me the amount for the 2nd fluid change.
The third case was with my current HHR SS. The car had 37500 miles on it when the lower TMAP sensor that is part of the Turbo Upgrade Kit went. The dealer charged me $300 to change it. I went to GM arbitration once again and after reviewing my case, refunded me the $300.
THEN THERE'S MY TOYOTA PICKUP! I bought it new and owned it for 3 years. I keep my vehicles immaculate and this one was no different. After 3 years of ownership, the bodyside started dimpling from the inside out. Upon inspection, the electronic body welds were rusting from the inside out and causing the sheet metal on the body to become wavy. I went to Toyota (factory, not dealer). Toyota flat out told me that it is normal wear and tear and would not honor any remediation. I have since owned GM or Ford vehicles (I have 1 Suzuki, which is the exception). All of the incidents mentioned above were after my dissatisfaction with Toyota.
It seems most people blame the manufacturer for the ineptness of the dealership. They need to talk directly to the manufacturer if problems are not resolved or if they feel something is unfair. It's like blaming McDonalds for a dirty franchise restaurant.
GM HAS ALWAYS KEPT THEIR PROMISES TO ME. Although some are good, it's not always so with some dealerships.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-25-2009
Posts: 151
From: NH
I certainly will. I would have mentioned them here, but I was not sure if that would be allowed.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-05-2010
Posts: 1,492
From: Detroit, Michigan USA
New Member
Joined: 03-31-2012
Posts: 14
From: florida
I can say for sure it is dependent on your dealer just like your food is dependent on what restaurant location you go to some are great and some the world would be better off if they closed.
I had a dealer actual price match a part an evap canister with an online site and none of the local big names even stock the part they dropped $70 off the price they were going to charge me and no cost for shipping
The problem some of them have is they forget without loyal customers they will close and lose there jobs.
I had a dealer actual price match a part an evap canister with an online site and none of the local big names even stock the part they dropped $70 off the price they were going to charge me and no cost for shipping
The problem some of them have is they forget without loyal customers they will close and lose there jobs.