Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

fleyerodder

It does Mark. Thanks.

Did you say you got GMC to purchase your truck back? Where do you live? I tried to get them to do that in NJ and was told in a nutshell to FO by the Manager at the dealership I used.

markm2002

I got the same response initially. I think that is the standard response and they try to make you look stupid for asking. I kept demanding (to my dealer) and escalating until they (GM, not the dealer) agreed to buy it back. I still don't have my money and who knows what they may try to pull next.

try2keypup

Thanks to everyone who has posted about their experiences with getting their vehicles back. It has assisted me quite a bit in determining "my rights" with this somewhat scary situation. I picked up my Trailblazer today (it was ready a few days ago, but I was out of town with a family emergency). My service department said the compensation was a sales issue and that the sales manager would be in within the hour. I needed to get to work, so I left the dealership. I called GMAC customer service and was first told I needed to speak with my dealer and that GMAC wasn't handling any recall compensation. I pushed back and was transferred to a very helpful and nice person who was obviously reading a handout and she told me that the Onstar and 1 month warranty would be taken care of and to contact my dealer about the 2 year/24000 Smart Care Maintenance plan because the dealer should have the information to supply me with and if they don't, they will within a couple of days. I also expressed that I thought a one year/12000 mile warranty extension would seem like an appropriate good will measure from GMAC and she noted it. I called the dealer and they said that GMAC would handle it, to look for a letter from GMAC, and that they had not heard of any compensation plans. It seems that I will have to work a bit harder to get a few free oil changes than should be necessary. I'll call the dealer back in a couple of days since I know they won't call me. Thanks to all who posted before to let me know what I could reasonably expect. Overall GMAC customer service has been very professional and considerate and my dealer has made me feel like they were the ones inconvenienced. I do love my Trailblazer though! Hopefully I'll be safe in it.

richardc4

Perhaps reposession would be a better name for it. Just got off the phone with GM---again and it's been verified that my parts were sent to the wrong dealer and used on other vehicles. The dealer that has my SUV is supposed to get it's allotment of parts in 2 or 3 weeks and aparently was going to hold my vehicle until then. When asked if that was acceptable with another year and 12,000 miles on my warrant I said, "Absolutely not! I want the extended warranty and also want my car within the next 1 or 2 days or I want a full refund." It's all being taken under advisement. I've come to the conclusion that the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing in this situation. The people I've talked to in GM Customer Service all seem to be very nice and aparently try to be helpful but there's just so much they can do. I can't say as much for the two dealerships involved in my particlular case. They, along with GM, both knew where my vehicle was/is and the whole fouled up mess has been handled very poorly.
If I get a refund I just might go across the street and buy a Ford. Firstone tires and all.

tomwilson1951

I am apparently in the same situation. My parts seem to have disappeared. They think(?) they were delivered to the dealer that originally received my Bravada (my dealer traded to get a color for me). The customer rep promised me this morning he would find out for sure and call me back today. That was 9 hours ago. I got ticked and called again. This rep was nice and said the parts should be there by this Friday. I informed her that since it would then be 30 days, I would invoke VA's Lemon Law and wanted a full refund or another vehicle manufactured after the recall. At that point I was elevated to the next level of support. This lady was very nice and promised to call me first thing in the morning with redults.
I am at a loss what to do. I really liked the Bravada, but am totally ticked off at GM.
I also told them the 123 offer was rather lame since I already have a 5 year warranty and a couple hundred bucks of oil changes didn't make things right.
I've been buying GM for thirty years (bought a new '70 Chevelle SS), but I don't think I can force myself to buy another GM product.
Good luck

rpageau

I know this won't make anyone who hasn't got their vehicle back yet feel any better, but it would seem GM, no matter how ineffectively, is "trying" to get the parts to the trucks already purchased first. I originally doubted this, but I got my TB back last Wednesday, and the dealer said she only got 5 sets of brackets for stranded trucks. In fact, her demo was still without brackets, and she was pissed about it (so sad...).

I went back to the dealership today to see if I could get a gander at any TB with running boards to see how they looked. There was still nothing on the lot or showroom. I took the golf cart tour out to the back, and saw 10 (ten!) TB's lined up like soldiers waiting for brackets. If nothing else, it at least affirmed my dealer was playing by the rules.

By the way, I live in Florida, which is supposed to be one of the three hottest (along with CA & TX) new car markets in the country. Hot (and it is) or not, still no brackets for the dealer inventory.

Oh yeah, the running boards look pretty cool. Probably will get some.

richardc4

It's nice to find that I'm not the only 'difficult' customer around. Quite frankly I feel that we've been put upon and the parts that were supposed to be used in our vehicles are now traveling down some highway in one that has been recently sold. I tried to do the right thing by calling GM about the recall and at my age I should have known better. As much as I hate to date myself my first GM car was a 1940 Chevrolet Master Delux 2 door. I'm in Arizona and it's too bad we're so far apart. We could sit over a couple of cold beers and cry about our disfortune. Come to think about it we could meet somewhere in between and do the same. That is if these cars will go that far without breaking down. I truely believe that an extended warranty is an absolute must. If they can't build suspension who's to say they can build the electronic components these cars have. They could throw a scrap iron fit at any time and without the warranty we would have to shell out a bundle. I sincerely hope you have better luck than I have so far. Keep in touch and let us know how you make out. For my part, General Motors has managed to take all the joy out of owning a new car and that's a real shame. The one I bought had that new car smell and it was a pure joy. Now it's just a set of wheels to be used going from point A to point B.

trek1420b

I received a form letter from GM today expressing "our regret for any inconvience..." It also explained a little more about the repair.

It also said my Chevrolet dealer was pleased to provide me with the 2 yr, 24000 mile SmartCare contract at no cost. It would be mailed to my house. And the 3 month On Star extension. NOTHING was said about the 1 month additional bumper to bumper warranty extension.

I am curious if anyone who refused the 123 offer is getting this letter. It certainly read like the letter could have been sent to all irregardless.

doc35

Thanks for all the responses on the running boards, I think that they might be useful in getting to the roof rack, hadn't thought of that.

Any ideas on why the new Envoy doesn't have Xenon HID headlights, like the old one? Did GM have problems with them or something? Any idea if they will be offered later in the year like the DVD option?

Thanks

alahiri

Don't hesitate. Invoke the lemon law. When you get your money back, shop another vehicle. If you don't want to go back to GM, try something like Nissan Pathfinder.

FYI I own a 99 LS 4WD 2DR Blazer. The vehicle is okay, but the manufacturer is horrible. Customer service is almost non-existent.

Best of luck.

richardc4

You could very well be right. As much as I hate to admit it perhaps it's time to buy a Japanese car. I've always been loyal to American cars but my last one, a Ford Windstar LX, had 3 transmissions by the time it had 21,000 miles on it. Now my new 2002 Envoy is undrivable with only 400 miles on it. At least Ford took care of things in a timely manner and kept me informed. That's a DAMN SITE more than GM has done. The dealer that has my SUV has yet to call me about anything. This ticks me off to no end for if no other reason before I retired as a lowbed driver my job classificatin was driver/mechanic. I have a pretty good idea of what's happening with a piece of equipment and what's being done is absolutely rediculous.

debbin67

Trek, just a quick note to answer your question. I in fact got the same letter yesterday. I HAVE NOT talked to anyone at GM about compensation, so I believe that everyone IS GETTING this offer. GM called last night and I talked to them for the first time since the week they took my truck. Another scripted rep. went on to tell me everything I already knew. I asked her if she had any "new" information, and she stumbled. NO! She said my dealer should be receiving the parts this week, and when I told her they already had them, she didn't know what to say. When I told her I was there Thursday and they claimed the parts were already replaced and the truck was just waiting an alignment, and it is now Monday night and I still didn't have my truck, her exact words to me were,"I will make a note of this on your file!" Nothing more! When I asked her who was going to make my car payment on a car I haven't driven all month?, 1) she asked me if I had a GMAC loan, (No I don't), 2) she will make a note of it on my file! She was just making courtesy calls, I needed to call the 800 # to voice any further concerns. I called, will wait for the area service rep to contact me. Thats my update!

rpageau

Finally got a call today at work from GM in response to a courteous letter (along with an initial lemon law notification - 15 days out of service)that I mailed on 4/19. It apparently takes a while to get to the right place. They had called the dealer and found out my truck had been returned last Wednesday, and were following up to make sure "everything was OK".

I have a little different perspective on this situation than most on this board. Compared to a lot of you, my truck was fixed relatively quickly (20 days). I never worried about the fix, as I knew they couldn't possibly put these vehicles back on the road unless they were safe. Except for mailing my 15 day lemon law notice (required by Florida law), I just let it run it's course without losing any sleep. I figured the longer it went on, the more likely GM would have to do something to satisfy everyone. I also tried a couple of times to convince myself I had been abused, and had been damaged financially. The best I could come up with was that I was being forced to drive a new 2001 Blazer off the lot instead of a new 2002 Trailblazer off the lot, and I was paying about $13 in extra insurance that was unnecessary. Like everyone else, I was just as frustrated at the lack of information while my truck was being held hostage, but I could never figure how to express that in dollars. I am sure I would have been more combative if I had been treated like Richard4 or Tom Wilson.

But I digress. The GM call was clearly an invitation to gripe, and it also quickly became clear the operator had a bag of goodies she was authorized to dole out in the interest of "Customer Satisfaction". Unfortunately, I am one of those dummies who treats others fairly, and expects only the same in return. I told her I believed it was in GM's best interest to offer an extended warranty, and she quickly offered me a 5/60 (of course, Bravada owners already have this), without having to consult with anyone. That along with the free service and OnStar extension (everyone gets this regardless) was more than fair in my situation, so I took it. I split my mileage with another vehicle, so the warranty will be a true 5 year warranty, which made it even more attractive. Just for the fun of it, I asked her to see about assisting my local dealer in getting me some running boards for my TB, and she said she would pass that request on.

The moral of the story is I believe the real negotiations only start after your vehicle is returned. I am convinced the operator I spoke with had a shopping list of things she could agree to on the spot. I am pretty sure I could have pressed her for more, but it just didn't seem right or necessary to me. I also asked her if she was in Detroit, and she told me she was in Florida (where I am), which means the regional offices are handling this last phase.

Hope this helps anyone who hasn't received "The Call". Good luck Richard & Tom, you deserve it.

Russ

alani

I am glad things worked fine for you.
I got my truck exactly 20 days after the recall, the exact day the lemon law takes effect in NJ.
A week before that while on the phone with GM, they offered me, in addition to the 123 offer, 2/24, however, the Olds division refused to give it to me since I already have 5/60.

I know few people on this site that got the 2/24 - now, that is not fair, GM is giving some more than others.

GM: Should I be penalized for buying a Bravada with 5/60 ?????????????????????????

GM: Are you concerned about the "mechanical health" of the car after the 5/60 that is why you do not want give it to me

GM: Hello, are you there? do you care ? did you make sure that all owners got their truck?

-Alan

debbin67

Well, after 26 days, I finally got my Envoy back!! A little confusion at the dealer, it was actually ready Thursday, however, they failed to call me to tell me this. It rides like a dream! Now I know why I bought it! Once I pulled out of the lot, I could care less what they give me. I feel that safety is not an issue, and they got stuck with a $1000.00 rental bill. A lot more than my car payment. So I guess I will take the free oil changes for 2 years, a few tire rotations and be on my merry way. I just hope that another recall stays far away from my Envoy! This board has really slowed up in the past 2 days; I think it was a great place to blow off steam! Look forward to hearing from you all again!
Debbie

rpageau

I forgot to mention one thing in my post #841, and this was pretty strange. The operator specifically told me they were working each situation independently, and on a "case by case" basis. Given you already have a 5/60, I am certain they have other options in their bag of goodies for Bravada owners. I think you just need to probe a little to find out what else is in the goodies bag.

I told her the "case by case" approach seemed pretty dangerous to me, given how upset everyone was already. Just imagine the reaction when some of the wide ranging settlements start getting out! She didn't seem concerned at all about that prospect.

Given it was a regional office I was dealing with, it most likely was the Chevy people. There is no telling if Olds & GMC will take the same approach. GM may have given the 2/24 service and OnStar, and then told the divisions to solve the rest of the problem themselves. Who knows??

trek1420b

So "THE CALL" you received was not from the uninformed folks at 866-226-6622. I have a feeling you recevied a call from the area reps only because of your lemon law letter. I am not sure we all we will getting such a call. Did you receive the 123 offer via phone or mail? Can you tell me what address you sent your letter too. Thanks.

lyndellw

The address that goes with the 866-266-6622 number.

GM Customer Assistance Center
PO Box 33170
Detroit,Mi 48232-5070

11thcav

Since the Firestone mess and dealer service problems, I have considered replacing my 1998 Explorer Sport. After seeing the Bravada and Envoy at the New York Auto Show, I thought I may have found a couple of vehicles that may meet my needs, although I strongly believe that no one should purchase a GM product the first year it is introduced. Looks like I was correct. After reading the posts here, I can see why the GMC dealer up the street has had a "sold" ticket on an Envoy for the last week. Thanks to all the comments here, I will no longer consider these vehicles.

dindak

I' take a first year GM truck over any Ford any day. Didn't Ford just recall the 02 Explorer a couple of weeks ago?? Why yes it did... what a surprise.

jht

I dunno about your dealers where you are, but I' was very happy with my Bravada the 1 day I had it pre-recall, and I'm very happy with it now that I have it back (I got it back last Thursday). It drives very well, is very comfortable to handle and fit in (I'm a pretty big person and I bang against the headliners in most cars), and has every trick in the book.

I wasn't happy that it had to be recalled right away, but on the other hand I prefer that to a company sitting on information that a car may be unsafe of years and only fixing them under the threat of lawsuits. I think GM could have been better about the communications, but overall they did the right thing. And given the "goodie bag" GM gave owners (the Smartcare for 2 years, the extended OnStar, and the extra month of warranty), I'm OK with that.

And I had a 2001 Explorer XLT as my rent-a-car for the three weeks of the recall - there's no comparison between the Bravada and it. The Ford was more like a spiffed-up version of my '96 Blazer than the Bravada - very much a spongy truck in comparison. The only things I preferred about the Ford were the cupholders (bigger and better-shaped since Ford was smart enough not to put the shifter on the center console) and the liftgate opening a tad higher (only a couple of inches, but it's nice) and having a good inside handle on it.

Most vehicles are a little risky their first year - the '02 Explorer is no different and the Escape has had all sorts of trouble. Chrysler just recalled 11,000 minivans because of bad bolts, of all things - this would have caused the same thing to happen to the minivans that could have happened to the GM sport-utes. And how new is that minivan model?

The bottom line is that if you dislike GM, this incident won't change your mind. If you like them, it won't either. My Blazer was the first GM car I owned, and it was good enough to keep them in consideration when I bought my next vehicle - 5 years later, I liked the Bravada best and so far I'm still glad I bought it. So I was kind of on the fence about GM going into this, and I'm not completely off it yet - but so far I'm leaning positive. The car's been worth it.

rpageau

Question #1:
I first heard of the 123 deal from my dealer when I picked up my truck on last Wednesday. They showed me the bulletin about it they had received that day. I got a "courtesy" call from GM the next day detailing the 123 package, but that never was portrayed as an offer, or invitation to negotiate. Just a statement of fact. I also received the letter a few days ago describing the 123 package once again.

Question #2:
The address I sent my notification to is the one in post #846. It took a week and a half, but it eventually found it's way back to Florida where it started. I probably could have driven the letter to their office if I had known it would end back here.....

akajoe

When I got my Bravada back, the DIC would show the timer when I started the car (if there was nothing being displayed when the car was previously turned off). What I was trying to do is to get the DIC to show nothing when I start the car. The odometer display is obnoxious because it doesn't just show the miles, it shows the large letters: ODOMETER: miles. I like to have no display at all.

Before my Bravada was impounded, I had figured out how to get the display to not show anything when I started the car. Since it has been so long, I couldn't remember how anymore. I'd been fiddling with it for a couple days, and then suddenly I'm able to get the display to not come on when I start the car. Someone suggested that the computer got reset when the disconnected the battery to do the recall service.

Anyone know what it was that I did that makes the display not come on? I'd like to know so that when I do check things with the DIC, I can still get it to not come on afterwards.

stever

What does everyone think about a long-term comparison test pitting the 2002 GMC Envoy against the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?

Please visit this page for the scoop and an email address to send those comments.

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

rpageau

If your DIC doesn't come up the way it was when you turned the key off, it's broke. Any chance you are using different transmitters when you unlock the car? The driver preferences for the number imprinted on the back of the transmitter (i.e. Driver1, Driver2) dictate how the vehicle responds when opened using a transmitter. Not likely the problem, but a thought anyway.

Russ

fltrsei2

You guy's see the new Envoy commercial? It's o. now... the SUV is "professional grade". Don't worry about any more recalls or problems. Professional products don't break. Long Live the General!!!

alani

I have a Bravada too, when you cycle through the DIC options, whatever option you leave it on, it is the one you get when you turn it on, If I want blank screen, I just cycle till nothing on the screen. Next time I turn it on, the screen is blank.
rpageau might be right too about the key, make sure that you always use the same key other wise you will go nuts.

-Alan

akajoe

That's what I thought, but when I got the Bravada back and I cycled the display to "off" when I turned off the engine, the next time it would come back on with the timer on. After about 2 days, it now comes up with the display "off".

Also, what does the DIC do if you cycle to one of the options like "automatic locking", and then turn off the engine. Does it come up with the display for "automatic locking"?

dindak

Love those ads. The truck looks really sharp. Also saw the new Trailblazer ads last night.

wboatr

Have been following this message board with great interest, since I have an Envoy on order---thanks for all the good info! I have one question that I hope someone can answer---what other parts are made by the supplier of the defective brackets ? Have there been any other problems with those?

rroman8420

Maybe we can ask "the man behind the big curtain"! I don't think anyone can really answer that unless they have access to the Internal GM supplier information. But I would assume that GM has looked at this, and if this supplier is smart, they would do their own internal evaluation and inspection just to be sure! At least we have to assume that, because if we start questioning everything, we will never leave our homes anymore and can't trust anyone or anything.

But, if anyone does have this factual; information I'm sure it would be intresting. Our Bravada has been back since April 24th and everything is fine. I was supposed to hear back from the GM assistance center on Friday April 27th and did not. So I put in 2 calls so far and still have not heard back. I feel my SUV was fixed so fast only because I filled the Lemon Law claim on April 9th and GM was made aware the same day. It seems like anyone that had filed a claim early got the parts that much quicker. We are in OHIO. Anyone else experience this?

svegliando

I recently checked out the new Envoy and was not impressed with the rear seats and cargo area. I found folding the rear seats to be cumbersome. In this two part process, you have to lift the seat bottom and then fold the back down. Second, the floor cargo storage area neither locks nor is attached via a hinge. Third, the cargo "privacy" shade goes across the vehicle which means reaching in and pulling it back towards the rear door. I assume this shade is removable.

I'm pointing out these facts because I've found that when you have options that are not permanently installed, they tend to get lost OR they're not in the car when you need them. And if they're not attached (such as the rear floor storage area) over time they begin to rattle.

For those who own this vehicle, has any of this been annoying so far?

rroman8420

I recently had to use the storage area of my Bravada. Actually I agree with most of what you say. But once you realize what needs to be moved and do it a few times, it becomes second nature. In the Bravada, you need to flip the rear seat bottom forward by grabbing the cloth loop at the center of each seat. Then you press the seat back release and fold it down. The only real problem I have, is that the seat bottoms do not usually flip forward and lay flat, until you move the front passenger seat also forward. This is only true if the passenger seat is in the full back position.

So, what I do now is:
1) check the front passenger seat is moved forward.
2) flip up the rear seat bottom, flip down the seat back.

Concerning the shade... it releases similar to a toilet paper holder. I guess they figure everyone knows how to do that!

allenr

Just turned 600 miles on my Bravada. Call me old fasion but I still like to change oil at 600 miles. We all know there is no way during the engine built process they can get every bit of metal shavings out. I have done this with the last 3 new cars I have bought. Change the oil and filter at 600 miles, then again at 1200 miles. I give it two quick oil changes to clean all the debris out. Then go with what ever change interval you like after that. I had a 1985 2.8L Blazer 4X4 go 217,000 miles with that kind of care.

Allen

paracanary

What was your gas mileage during the 600 miles?

hambone7

I suppose that since GM is claiming GMC to be "Professional Grade" then their other divisions must be "Unprofessional Grade" if you apply reasoning...Hey GM, we got the message. If GM took half of their marketing budget and put it toward quality control, then they would sell more cars and trucks. It's too bad they don't realize it...

allenr

If you believe the DIC I'm getting 15.3 mpg with a mix of city and highway driving. I will check that with my next fill-up as the dealer added gas and didn't reset my trip odomitter , (can you believe that!) My 2000 Blazer was getting about 15-16 mpg with the same kind of driving. I think when it's broken-in, I should get the same or better mpg than my old Blazer. Not bad for a SUV that's alot heavier and 80 more HP

Allen

alani

As you are aware, there are 2 settings, one show the instant mile/gallon which is an indication of burning rate as of now.
The other setting which most likely you are referring to is the average or overall mile/gallon. This setting is tricky since, among other things, it takes your previous driving style/condition in consideration, the more you drive, the more it knows about your style and the overall driving conditions, this figure should improve as you spend more time behind the wheels, also, as you indicated, you hardly brook-in your car. Do not forget that we all started with zero history as far as the DIC is concerned.

Alan

bleffler

I'm assuming that since the Bravada can tow 5600lbs, it must have a Class 3 hitch. Is that true?

I'm also assuming there is a connector for trailor lights, but is there a line for trailor brakes?

thanks,

bob

richardc4

Got a call yesterday that my Envoy was finished. Picked it up and after bringing it home looked at the front suspension. I could see wrench marks but couldn't tell that anything was different. No paint marks. I'm sure there must be a part number stamped on the brackets somewhere. Reading some of the messages it seems that 20 to perhaps 28 days seem to be about average for our cars being held. It took 26 days for mine. From a conversation I had with a service manager it seems that some dealers might have more parts than they need while others are waiting. It's just speculation but that's the impression I got. GM still seems to be following through on my reqest for an additional 12 months and 12,000 miles on the warranty. Only time will tell about that. The service manager also told me that mine is the only vehicle they've gotten parts for and repaired. If I remember correctly he said he has something like 15 or 19 waiting.

I noticed a message about gas mileage. I'm sure we all agree that if we wanted good gas mileage we would all be driving something like a Volkswagon.

Hauling was also mentioned. Personally, I don't feel these vehicles were meant to haul very much in. That might very well be the reason for the class 3 hitch and wiring harnass. Who knows? GM might go into the trailer manufacturing business.

Good luck to those of you who haven't gotten your car back yet. Looking back I haven't been the easiest person to deal with in this and the GM people I've talked to have actually been much more patient than I would have been in their place. If I were ever to decide to come out of retirement I know one second carreer I definitely wouldn't pursue. One in Customer Assistance during a recall.

dindak

Good head to head comparison of the 02 Trailblazer and the 02 Explorer in the new Motor Trend.

akajoe

The average MPG is constantly computing, even when idling at a stop light. If you turn it on and watch it when you are stopped, you'll see it gradually decrease to zero. You can reset it to the current instanteous MPG by pressing the enter key on the steering wheel while the average MPG is displayed in the DIC. Press and hold the enter key until the DIC resets to the the instantaneous MPG (if you are stopped at a red light, it will reset to zero).

So, if you are on the highway, you can reset it and get a reading on average highway MPG which will typically be around 23-25 after the engine is broken in and you average about 65mph. It depends on how hilly the road is.

Around city, it gets down as low as 14mpg average.

kudron

Well, I have had my Envoy back for one week and the problems are starting to mount. The center console is very loose. In fact, it appears that it has never been bolted to the floor at all. You can pick it up at least six inches off of the floor. Then the rear weather stripping around both door jambs is not seated at all. The Service Manager told me on the phone that they can be re-glued to the jambs. Upon further inspection, it appears that they were never glued. Then today, my OnStar is starting to malfunction. You can complete a call, but after the OnStar person picks up, the connection dies. I am really getting upset by the lack of quality control on this vehicle. Like I told the person at the GMC Customer Service line, "Sure I can take the vehicle to the dealer and have these items fixed, but I should not have to. These things should have been caught at the factory".

rroman8420

We have not had any major problems with our Bravada, but it is funny that you metion the rear door weather striping. The other day my son said, "look dad, the car is falling apart". When I inspected what he was talking about, I saw it was the weather striping hanging half off. I do not think it is glued either. It seats pretty deep over the metal edge, so maybe they thought they do not need glue. We pressed it back in place and it has been fine so far. But I don't know why it came loose to begin with. I think it may have been bumped or brushed by someone getting in or out of the back seat. We have had the Bravada back for almost 2 weeks now. It seems like this will be a frustrating problem unless it is glued by the dealer or the owner. They will wait for this recall for a while, probably do it with some other small stuff in the future.

Ron

jeff237

I bought my Envoy on March 30th. The rubber striping on the rear passenger door was sticking out. The front passenger door handle was not painted. The front air damn was not attached on the drivers side. It all got fixed during the recall, but it's not a Japanese car. Is it because it's a new design or is GM always poor on fit & finish?

squeakersadie

I awaited the arrival of the 2002 Olds Bravada since the middle of last year. The 270hp engine and all the amenities really got me, and I practically wore the URL out looking for the latest info from GM. Then...Olds goes out of business. Not to worry, GM is still around. Wife insists that we shop the competition. OK, but the desire for the Bravada is strong, especially after the first test drive. We checked out the Lexus, Toyota lines plus the Acura MDX. Looked at the BMW
too, but smaller than the others and REAL pricey.OK, let's test drive the Bravada once more for a side by side ride comparison. Can't find any!! On the lots yesterday, gone today. A visit back to this site tells me why, and we go with the Toyota Highlander. Sure it's not a real off roader, but neither am I. It rides great, feels much more solid than the Bravada, interior exudes Toyota guality, and I got everything possible on it for $2000 less than the Bravada. And I've been driving it since the day I picked it up. Sure, the recall could happen any time, but I'm glad I didn't follow my impulsive new car fever and buy that Bravada. They are nice vehicles, and GM will
surely only improve on them in the next few years, so I'm sure you'll all be happy with them. Hopefully they won't continue to exhibit the usual GM workmanship and resale values. Good luck to all of you on getting your new vehicles back and dealing with the General!

dindak

Highlander is a nice city truck, but for towing and off roading forget it. It's basically a minivan. in SUV clothing much like the Acura. As for GM quality, it's newer vehicles have been generally well put together fit and finish wise. You always take a bit of a chance with a new model, even a Toyota.

squeakersadie

You speak the truth. The Highlander is billed as an 'on road' SUV, with 'light' off road capabilities. As I look around going down the pavement, I see a great many 'wasted' true off roaders carrying groceries and golf clubs. I just realized that I didn't need a heavy truck for my use. As for quality, domestic manufacturers are way ahead of what I remember in the early eighties (when my Chevrolet shed its paint), but to claim quality equal to Japan and Germany (which my GM dealer does frequently) may be overstating the advances made by GM and understating the quality of the foreigns (many of which have shown quality CAN come from American plants with Americans on the line).

danportland

I've been reading for the last month or so about the recall. Went and drove an Envoy today and really liked it. Asked them about the recall and got the typical "it's all been resolved" type of answer. They had 6 on the lot. Is there a manufacture date I should be looking for on these? Is the general feeling that units bought after ???? date of manufacture are OK.... or should I just consider something else. Also, if I shouldn't automatically discount GM because of the recall... then, between the Trailblazer / Envoy / Bravada...any ideas on one over the other....Geesh....I want enough don't I. I appreciate any help / info. Thanks.

bleffler

What part of the country are you in? You may want to check out www.southerngm.com to give you some ideas on prices. Then ask your local fleet manager to meet or beat the price.

As to which one to choose, it really depends on your favorite options and your intended use. If you want all the options, the Bravada may be slightly less expensive, plus it has an additional two year warranty.

If you are looking for off road, then the TB or Envoy may be more appropriate.

I ended up ordering a Bravada. At least I'm guaranteed I have factory installed bracket. I don't have to wonder whether or not the dealer techs are any good.