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Steve, Host
Ciao!
Andiamo
1. All H3's have the potential to experience this after they cross the 10-20K mile mark.
2. GM has dealerships replacing the seals, valves, and cylinder heads.
3. Appears to be a basic FLAW in the design (yes, same engine as the Canyon and Colorado but NOT the upper half of the engine - that is NEW for the H3).
4. My guess is that a recall is inevitable AFTER they can figure out how to permanently FIX it (apparently the normal operation of the engine is causing what is round to become elyptical which causes the wear, leaks and subsequent misfires). Something fixed now by simply replacing with new parts will most likely only wear through again after another 10K or so miles.
Originally I was told that it was only a handful of H3's doing this but yesterday learned it was more WIDE SPREAD. The only reason this is not BIG news yet is because only a handful have reached the neccesary milage for it to happen ... they are expecting this to be a HUGE problem as all H3's age.
When my vehicle is ready I am going to my nearest non-GM dealership and dumping it. BUYER BEWARE.
They acted like they cared and still do! If you want he salesman's name let me know
When my vehicle is ready I am going to my nearest non-GM dealership and dumping it. BUYER BEWARE."
*sigh*.....I don't mean to be an 'I told you so' but.....
I have stated at least a couple of times in this forum what a bad idea it was for GM to put such a joke of an engine in such a demanding (read: heavy) vehicle and have been flamed for it like crazy. I've said that even if this engine were "adequate" (as many here have said it was) you can NOT ignore the fact that durability is going to be a major issue. Like it or not, most can agree that if this were a Japanese engine, at least it would be somewhat reliable/durable. But we're talking about GM here - the same company that promised this thing would get a minimum 20mpg. From what I've read, that promise has been less than fulfilled and only a lucky few are getting close to that.
Honestly it really doesn't matter. Once the gas prices do their damage over the next couple of months, SUVs like the H3 will be off the radar for most buyers - new engine or not.
Two things are certain:
1.) A select few who are either blind, very lucky, or don't drive much will stand up for the current H3
2.) We will see a lot more complaints like the one I quoted above. Trust me...
Honestly it really doesn't matter. Once the gas prices do their damage over the next couple of months, SUVs like the H3 will be off the radar for most buyers - new engine or not.
Two things are certain:
1.) A select few who are either blind, very lucky, or don't drive much will stand up for the current H3
2.) We will see a lot more complaints like the one I quoted above. Trust me...
Tod (ayrow)
I would like to respond to your post.
First I work for GM so my opinion is a little tainted. I also OWN a H3, which from reading your past posts you don’t.
Could the H3 use more power? Yes it could BUT it is not a joke motor it does a outstanding job off-road. Mine is a 5-speed and it will pull up a hill at idle that some of my past trucks would have work at.
Mine has the adventure package and 4 to 1 transfer case so this helps, but the motor is very difficult to stall.
I also use the H3 as a daily driver and it does a decent job. Would I like more power? Yes but not if it affected the gas mileage very much. The H3 is doesn’t exactly cut the air like a knife and has a lot of wind resistance. The 5.3 in my truck gets 1 to 2 MPG less than my H3 so the 5.3 probably would get even less in the H3 and the H3 would probably cost 2K-4K more with a 5.3.
If you are going to use the H3 for what it was designed for the engine is great. If you are going to go to the mall or impress your neighbors, how much power do you need for that? If you are towing something there is not a lot of extra power so be careful. Bottom line is DEMO the H3 and make up your own mind.
Durability will have to be determined as more H3's rack up the miles.( Mine has 22,000 miles and no problems yet) It is unfortunate that some have had problems but it is a fact of life that ANYTHING can break.
I don’t get the Japanese engine statement. I have never owned a Toyota or Honda car so I won’t comment on something I have no experience with. But the last time I looked Toyota and the others still have service departments and are doing warranty work in them. I find it hard to believe that they have no engine problems on something that is assembled by humans.
You also said GM promised 20 mpg.. The 20 mpg number is a EPA ESTIMATE based on engine and vehicle specifics it is NOT a GM number and it is as accurate as any of the other manufactures numbers. By the way I get 15 to 16 mpg everyday and 18 to 20 on the highway depending on how fast we are going. Close to EPA estimate.
And your last two statements
1. I am not blind, don’t consider myself lucky, and I do drive my H3 a lot and am not afraid to use it on the trails or in the mud. If something happened to it I would replace it with another one without question.
2. This is a true statement. As they sell more and more they will be people who have problems with them. And the internet is a place to vent any frustrations you have. Just look on any forum on anything and their will be negative things that would scare you from buying anything. Happy owners tend to keep quite.
Paul Francis
Still have a couple of GMID's left if anyone is buying this month.
> I had some lengthy converstions while I was looking.with
> Bergstrom, I live in Michigan, and he asked why I was
> wasting his time and not buying in Michigan.
Hmmm...so far my experience with them has been somewhat similar. It's amazing that these dealers just don't get it, that if they treat people well the customer will not only come back, but will tell their friends. Whata packa maroons!
My H3 is getting a valve job for free and I can't really complain. My dealer gave me another H3 to drive in the interim. They didn't try to hide the problem and stepped right up to the plate. I realize that I am a commercial customer and may have a great salesman. I have owned about 20-25 GM vehicles to date and have really had almost no problems and certainly no major problems - this is a first. I own a company and we usually put 150,000 to 200,000 miles on our vehicles. I have also owned several Toyotas, Volkswagons, Fords, Dodges, Isuzus, and even a Rambler. I can vouch for the fact that they have problems, with the added bonus of rust on the Toyotas. Seen any classic Toyotas for sale at Berette/ Jacksons lately?
Good luck at your non-GM dealership. Its odd that you would turn your back on someone who was willing to remedy a problem. I am an expert witness for construction litigation and find very few contractors willing to remedy problems at their own expense. The one's who are certainly deserve more business from their current customers. As a contracter I have made my share of mistakes, have been willing to remedy problems and have many repeat customers and lifelong friends.
I get 18.6 miles per gallon in mixed, mostly highway miles and am still excited about driving this grown up Tonka Truck. I don't expect it to out corner or out accelerate my Firebird. Its a jeep! Its fun. I'll stay with GM.
thx.
Jeff
05 Desert Tan SUT
Both the H1 and H2 are made by AM General. The H3 of course is made by GM.
1) Other H3 message boards have a lot of owners that have the "necessary mileage", this topic hasn't come up. Several of the guys there are Hummer techs or GM engineers and they are quick to pass on info, good or bad.
2) The "upper half" of the engine is the same as the Canyon and Colorado, whoever told you different is full of it (or perhaps that makes it easier to try to spread the BS).
Either someone is lying to you, or you are making up stuff. Either way, get some real facts or find something better to do.
By the way, my H3 has 16,500 miles. Purchased in August as well, so was probably built around the same time as yours. Absolutely no problems.
hiway)had ours in shop 3x they admit that's the best it will get???????????
2. GM has dealerships replacing the seals, valves, and cylinder heads. True
3. Appears to be a basic FLAW in the design (yes, same engine as the Canyon and Colorado but NOT the upper half of the engine - that is NEW for the H3). False. Exact same except for the air filter and intake. Engine has been on the road since '04, used as an option in Colorado/Canyons.
4. My guess is that a recall is inevitable AFTER they can figure out how to permanently FIX it (apparently the normal operation of the engine is causing what is round to become elyptical which causes the wear, leaks and subsequent misfires). Something fixed now by simply replacing with new parts will most likely only wear through again after another 10K or so miles. False. New cylinder heads installed by dealers and on all new engines produced since March 31, 2006, have hardened intake and exhaust valve guides. Actually, with only a little over 200 cases reported, with over 100K engines on the road, why do a recall?
Originally I was told that it was only a handful of H3's doing this but yesterday learned it was more WIDE SPREAD. The only reason this is not BIG news yet is because only a handful have reached the neccesary milage for it to happen ... they are expecting this to be a HUGE problem as all H3's age. Only a handful have reached the necessary milage? What a crock of dodo! There are thousands of Colorado/Canyons with well over the miles shown, and some H3s at that mark. So, is it widespread, depends on how you define widespread. If 0.002 is widespread then it is widespread, but the that low of a percentage is not really widespread in my opinion.
When my vehicle is ready I am going to my nearest non-GM dealership and dumping it. BUYER BEWARE.
Ok, this must be a troll, or someone who had a bad experience at a Hummer dealer. Best he does dump the vehicle, and find out that any engine can break, made by any manufacturer, including the infamous Honda.
I wish him luck, but believe me, he is exaggerating greatly.
I'm so excited!! Thanks again to Richard who came through with a GMID!!
** P.S. As I mentioned I've read all the posts and replies. No need to give me any "warnings" about problems or concerns that you've already posted about. **
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
I just purchased a new car June of last year. So between shopping for that and shopping recently for the Hummer, I have been to a LOT of dealerships! Sewell Hummer in Dallas was by far the overall most friendly, welcoming and low pressure that I have dealt with. Even the folks there that we were not making the purchase from went out of their way to smile, say hello and assist however they could.
On top of getting the GMID and getting the H3 below invoice we also got the roof rail racks added at dealer cost, a Hawaiian print Hummer shirt at dealer cost and a model red H3 that looks amazingly like the real one we got.
No charge for service to add the roof rail racks. They cleaned it up and filled it with gas. We get a free loaner when we have to take it in for anything such as maintenance or repairs. We also get free vehicle washes.
BossHoss1, Just look back about post 815 or thereabouts. Richard is the one you want to get in touch with for a GMID. I know our price ended up being below invoice. We also did not qualify for the discount because we didn't previously own a truck or SUV that was part of that program.
If there is any question about it . . . Yes! I would send everyone to Sewell Hummer in Dallas. Thanks again Richard!!!
angel
thanx in advance for any help i get.
Gratefully,
BOB
bob
Both of these were better than my traded in Ford F-150 (5.4 V8) that ran about 13.6 local.
angel
tidester, host
bob
angel
Try asking the owner or the floor manager for clarification.
Steve, Host
If you can't make a deal on this particular vehicle, don't worry, there's hundreds of H3's out there sitting on lots.
However, stick with the lux package, sunroof, & step up bars (I got the chrome ones). Do you really need the adventure package ? I recommend the chrome gas tank cap. You can always add it later even if you can't get it with your new purchase.
Sorry about that Tidester.
angel