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Comments
I've been an 'import' guy for sometime. I broke the mold way back in 91 when I bought a Taurus, because I felt buying American was the thing to do, and the model should have matured in 5 years. I guess as it turned out it took another ten years. Besides 2 failed transmissions, and a cylinder head gasket, it was a nice running car when it was up and running, but service across 3 different dealerships was terrible.
So with Toytoas having problems, Mazda CX-9 has been a strong contender. Not to say it is perfect, but I think a better alternative to the sister cars, the Edge or Linclon MKX . Honda Pilot is a box, but I like their engineering and reliability. But in light of the mediocre performance and economy, the Lambdas seemed worth looking at.
I wish Ford had something closer to the Traverse. Neither the Escape at the low end or the Explorer at the other end come close. I just don't like the looks of the Flex. But I think Ford has been the most progressive domestic mfr. in terms of quality.
The big sell with GM has been their styling IMO.
Anyway, I am still in the evaluation stage, maybe see what I can do about picking up an 2010 when the 11's are ready to come out. I really want the Lambdas to succeed, the concept seems great. It is the long-term I'm concerned about.
Personally I love the styling inside and out. I see a lot of them on the road these days so I suspect many people realizing how good these vehicles are.
I have been having mileage problems with my front wheel drive traverse which I described in a prior post.
I took my car to three Chevrolet garages to have it checked and their computer techs (they really are not mechanics anymore!) told me there was nothing wrong with my car and that 17.7 on the highway was just fine mileage...BS!!
After talking with an old experienced mechanic he told me that the trouble could be the traction control switch and that I needed to reset it...he had noting but disdain for this particular feature.
I got my car up to speed, set the cruise and did 6 sets of disengaging and reengaging the traction control and it fixed my problem.
I just got back from a trip to the airport, 125 miles with cruise set at 58 and got 27.1 MPG...amazing!!
Please, try this on your car and report back...this could be the fix to your problems too!
different interior molded rocker panel around the tire so they will not fit and the
Enclave is different yet again. I have searched the Internet and have only found a
stainless pair from Putco for $106/ pair.
Thanks!
blj
I've also read that it is a loose sensor at one of the wheels for the abs system.
First, I have to say that I like the Traverse utility and ride but this has been THE WORST vehicle I have ever owned when it comes to service issues. I purchased my Traverse LT in February 2009. I drive mostly highway miles...a lot of miles. I currently have 48K miles on the car/truck.
I really wanted to buy American and I know this is one of the cars GM and Chevy are presenting as their vehicles of the future so I bought in.
I have two issues. First, I have an issue with the steering wheel making noise. I have had the steering wheel replaced and I have had two separate rack and pinion assembles installed 7 months apart.
I also have an issue (A BIG ISSUE) with the car intermittently "bucking" at 1500-1800 rpm's during highway driving. This happens 2-20 times on a 30-150 mile drive. It feels like clogged fuel injectors where the vehicle isn't getting gas. I am able to accelerate through this. I will drive in normal traffic and when the traffic slows, the rpm's fall to 1500-1800. When traffic moves again and I accelerate, the bucking starts. This may be at 409, 50 or 60 mph. The check engine light does not come on and there are no stored computer codes. The problem is intermittent but it does it enough to be very annoying to me and anyone I'm riding or driving with. I did have the service manger drive the car home when the mechanic could not duplicate the issue on their normal 5 mile road test.
The service manager experienced the issue 8 times on the way home and 4 times on the way back to work the next day when he drove my car home 40 miles each way. It took several months of mentioning the issue before I even attempted to correct it because I was always told that if the car wasn’t experiencing the problem when I came in, then there was nothing they could do. I will detail the service below.
Took delivery 1/30/09
4/13/09 Replaced steering wheel assembly due to clicking sound.
8/20/09 Check engine light had been coming on and off for a month - code PO430, low eff bank 2. Reprogrammed ecm and tcm.
11/20/09 Replaced catalytic converter. Check engine light had been coming on and off for months.
11/20/09 Replaced steering rack as steering wheel was still making noise.
7/16/10 Replaced all 3 timing chains.
7/16/10 Replaced cylinder #2 coil and plug. Again, reported bucking issue for months but it never happened near the dealer so I never brought it in.
8/9/10 Replaced cylinder #3 coil and plug
8/9/10 Replaced steering gear (they said it was another rack and pinion). Made sound like corduroy pants rubbing together (service managers description).
8/18/10 Replaced catalytic converter (again). Code PO420. Check engine light was blinking this time.
8/18/10 Replace power steering pump. There was a whine or hum very noticeable while driving.
9/15/10 Traverse back in shop for the same bucking/surging issue. I had been keeping a log and emailing the service manager with what was occurring since the last visit. Issue happened more than 12 times on a 225 mile trip Saturday and more than 8 times on the same trip home Sunday. Drove another 225 miles Tuesday and had the same issue 15+ times.
The "bucking" problem has never been fixed.
I don’t know what to do next. My local DC area dealer (Criswell) has been very nice and very helpful but I think they may be lost too.
I have not contacted Chevrolet. I should probably do that but I dread the long runaround through several levels of customer service people that I know I'm going to get.
I'm in outside sales. LOTS of people know about my issue and if it isn't fixed I wont be the only one not driving a Chevy in the future.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Don't know what to tell you. I have an '09 Traverse LS. Took delivery in April '09. I drive it for business and have 37K miles. The only issue I've had was a loose airbag electronic cable that indicated my airbag needed to be serviced. And I also had to replace a driver side power window switch. I think it's a solid vehicle inside and out compared to it's predecessors. I would submit a written letter to Chevrolet's customer service and seek out the best resolution for your troubles. Have you asked your dealer service advisor on what action you can take if this debacle continues time after time?
I apologize that you have had concerns with your vehicle. I can have one of our agents look into your concern further. In order to do that I will need the following information e-mailed to me: contact information, VIN, current information, dealership and best time to contact you. Just so you know the agent will require that you have to take the vehicle in to be diagnosed. You can get my e-mail by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
I got my Traverse back yesterday
Build date was 09/08.
9/21/10 Dealer road tested and duplicated problem. Had onboard computer hooked up but no code was detected. Result: Replaced bank 1 Cam shaft position sensor and harness per TSB PI0090A.
The dealer test drove and found no problem. I drove yesterday afternoon and had no problem but it will take several long drives to really test it. I did go for a 9 days back in July with no problem after one of the earlier "fixes".
You will note that GM asked me to contact them on September 16th. I did so the next day via email. Mariah, the listed GM contact, was responsive and took all my info and said someone would call me by the end of the day Monday Sept 20th. Someone did call. That person simply verified what I had already written. That person called back later and said that my case was being escalated to a NE regional specialist and that I would hear from a new person soon.
The GM specialist, Mr. X, called later that day. I advised him that my Traverse was back at the dealer again. He said that my vehicle would be evaluated and then "we will discuss compensation"...his words, not mine. I never mentioned compensation! I'm sure my conversation was recorded and that this is verifiable.
My car was deemed ready by the dealer on Wed. Sept 23rd. Mr. X also called back and said that my car was ready and that if I needed anything else, that I should call him. I picked up my car Thursday afternoon September 24th.
I drove the car for 2 weeks and the problems continued to get worse. I kept a detailed log. I called Mr X late afternoon Tuesday October 5th and left a message that I was having the same problem. No response.
I called again Thursday afternoon October 7th and left another message. No response.
I emailed my original GM contact, Mariah, and the dealer late on the afternoon of Thursday October 7th and included my detailed log of events for the past 2 weeks. To the dealer, I included a note about knowing of a local (laid off during the down sizing) GM engineer who's name I received through a friend. I also mentioned the dealerships head tech by name (I received that name through the ex-GM engineer).
Friday October 8th, Mariah emailed back that my case would be re-opened and that I would hear back from someone by Monday. At 4:30, Mr X called and said that he would be in until 5 pm EST. I called back at 4:40 and left a message but did never hear back from him.
Also on Friday October 8th, I called the dealer (who was yet to respond) at 1 pm and said that my problem was particularly bad the last 24 hours. I was advised to come right in. The dealer had me travel with the head tech who had hooked a computer up to monitor codes. The car threw codes signaling multiple cylinder failures entering the highway (see my old posts for descriptions of problems). I drove about 1/2 mile to get this reading. He also said he didn’t like some of the electrical feedback. He suggested he would pressure test the engine and suggested he would pursue an engine replacement since so many attempts were made to correct the problem. This is the 5th documented attempt but I have made numerous other complaints!
I took my car in Monday October 13th to the dealer. A new GM contact called and said Mr X was out for the day but that he had left a note to call me. She said I would have to bring my vehicle to the dealer for evaluation. I explained that I was standing with the service writer at the dealership. I asked to have Mr X call me. She said that she would leave him a note.
Tuesday October 14th, I called Mr X again and left a message that I wanted to speak with him. 48 hours later I have yet to hear from him. We have not spoken since September 23rd. Maybe he's in trouble for mentioning compensation? It seems that all GM is good for is to tell me to take my car to the dealer. I know that!
My engine pressure tested OK on Tuesday. They are not pursuing an engine replacement. They are rebuilding a couple more cylinders (already done 2) and doing some other procedure. After 4 previous attempts and days off of work and borrowing family cars (I didn’t ask for a rental the first few times) I don’t have warm and fuzzy feeling. GM customer service has made it worse because they act like they want to help but they just add to the frustration.
I talked with a potential Traverse owner Tuesday who saw my rental. I'm sure they will consider another vehicle. Covering 5 states as a sales rep calling on service business's who have 2-25 vehicles, being VP of my kids 2000+ HS Booster Club and being Block Captain of my local Citizens Assoc, I have lots of chances to share my story. I may look into magnetic signs too as I know a good sign guy.
The steering noise is troubling to me because I have what might be the same issue with my '02 Impala. If it's the same problem, that means that "NEW" GM is still making the same mistakes as "OLD" GM. With my Impala, the steering wheel has a notchy or clicky feeling to it as I turn it in one direction (I don't THINK it does it in both directions). Anyway, I KNOW what the problem is - it's the short half shaft (which goes through the firewall) connecting the steering column to the rack. It needs to be removed and re-greased (or better - replaced). GM knows about this problem. Some people claim they have simply peeled back the rubber boot and sprayed grease (a certain type) into it to eliminate the problem (at least temporarily). Others have said they've had the half shaft removed and re-greased only to have the clickiness return. I can tell you I've done NOTHING with my Impala and it hasn't gotten any better or worse over several years time now. I keep saying I'm going to yank it out and fix it, but I just haven't gotten around to it.
As for the "bucking" problem, you'd think they'd be able to fix that VERY EASILY with the equipment at their disposal. Can't they hook the engine up with the car on a dynometer (rollers), or is that too high-tech for a dealer service station? Tearing engines apart or replacing them is a solution I'd expect to hear from someone who had absolutely no clue what the problem might be! There's NO WAY your vehicle is THAT FAR away from running properly. I would look very closely at fuel delivery on demand. You said the bucking happens when you suddenly demand more fuel. Is it fuel pressure? is it an injector? is it slow reaction by whatever detects this increased demand?
C'mon, this is automotive repair 101. The people servicing your vehicle are not very good at what they do. Make sure you speak to the MASTER MECHANIC at the dealership, and make sure HE (or SHE) does the work on your vehicle. You might find out there IS no master mechanic because he quit for a better position elsewhere (leaving all the inexperienced junior mechanics in his wake). And I wouldn't bother with the Service Manager any more than I had to, either. He's just an administrator who probaby has never even changed his own oil before...
Many also work on at least partial commission like salesmen, so they are motivated more in trying to upcharge everything they can than in getting your car fixed. Face it, service and used cars is where dealers are now making most of their profit.
I picked up my Traverse at about 5:30 pm EST on Thursday Oct 14th after all the plugs and coils were replaced. The info light was on and the tire pressure on the right front was at 20 psf. I pointed this out to the driver. He drove back around and filled the tire.
Friday morning the tire was back down at 24 psf. I returned to the dealer and had a self-tapping screw removed and the tire plugged.
Yesterday, Saturday, I drove 50 miles to Baltimore for an event. The Traverse drove fine. After the event, while in downtown Baltimore, the check engine light came on. It remained on for the trip home. I turned the car off and on upon my return and the light was still on.
Today I have had two short trips. The check engine light is still on. Tomorrow I will return to the dealer.
Cash for Clunkers was really about dealers and they were the real beneficiaries. Dealers have a very powerful lobbying influence.
Surprised they plugged the tire. I've plugged tires numerous times over the years without incident, but about 5-7 years ago garages started refusing to do it. I think they all remove the tire now and patch it from the inside.
You might want to buy yourself one of those OBD-II code readers so you can check the CHECK ENGINE codes yourself (and have some idea as to what your problem may be). I bought mine back in 2000 for $150 (Actron), but I think you can buy them today for as little as $50 (maybe even less). Even Wal-Mart sells them, I think...