By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
We've banded together here fight GM on this, and in fact this thread has been usefull to many to try to understand what is happening to us, and to give us ammo when dealing with the dealers.
I figured the settlement agreement may have a non-disclosure clause so maybe that is why nobody is being specific.
Good Luck,
Ken
we are still trying to work out the finances.
The arbitrator ruled that this replacement was
due to the lemon law. The agreement shows full purchase price, taxes and collateral charges. There is a charge to us for $258 for mileage which
is what we expected. The original complaint was
made at 1500 miles or so and I think that is where
the mileage reading is used.
The settlement did not show finance charges I am working with BBB to make sure that it is included in what we are paid. We originally asked for a replacement vehicle but it didn't happen and thats OK as we want to take our time
finding the right truck. Maybe even a rebate
will come our way this time! I'd be happy to send
a copy of all of the paperwork if you can give me
a fax number.
The welding of the reinforcement plate has much to be desired. All four dust boots on ball joints were broken and leaking grease. The dust boots on my aftermarket shocks were all mangled up. The steering was off center. They also lost my keys and remote and didn't tell me about it until I asked for the remote. And this was after keeping my truck for 3 days. So yes there are some horror stories. The only good thing, it really did tighten up the front end, not as wobbly anymore.
Of course the service manager promised to fix everything, but after this past experience I am realy hesistant to let them try to fix their "fix". Later.
If so, is this considered normal? Lastly, if a buyback happens, can one recover the cost of add-on options such as a remote starter, hard tonneau cover, etc.?
Thanks for all of your help!
ricsch
I think that the particulars of a buyback varies from state to state. My state for example has changed their version during their last legislative session. The emphasis has been placed that no economic harm should come to the consumer and that after buyback...reimbursed 100%...the consumer should be able to go out and shop for a new vehicle as if the buyback never happened. That included reimbursement for all aftermarket mods as the vehicle would be turned in "as is". Personally, I have over $6k in mods on my truck. Would be a major hassle to remove them and to reinstall on a "new" truck. This change in the law has made it a little easier. Now if I can find all those damned receipts...
Dean
I purchased my GMC Sierra on June 26, 1999 from Mitchell Chevrolet/GMC Truck in West Point, MS. I took it back two weeks later because I thought it had a wheel that was not balanced. When I came to pick it up, the service manager told me it was a defect that GM was working to correct and he would let me know when GM had a procedure to fix it. I kept checking back. All the while the vibration was getting worse while he repeatedly assured me GM was working on a solution. The truck vibrated when you first accelerated from a stop. It vibrated between 35 & 40 MPH. It vibrated and shimmied at 65 & 70 mph. The passenger seat vibrates back and forth like a 25-cent motel bed while at highway speeds. The broken seat belt rattles in the background constantly. The dash rattles and is getting louder. During November, I called and he told me the dealership was forced to buy a $10,000 tire machine to combat the vibration problems in the new trucks. He said GM now had a fix for the problem; it entailed replacing my springs and balancing my tires on the new machine. He ordered the parts. They came in and I made an appointment to install them in December. I took the truck in and left it while I was out of town. When I came to pick it up, I was told they determined that new General tires were needed before they could put on the springs. They ordered the tires. I waited and called and waited and called, still no tires. Finally I called back in May, he said, “yeah I believe the tires are finally in.” I made an appointment for June 12th, planning to leave the truck for an extended period of time and have the many other problems that were piling up corrected at the same time. Included in these were: sticking throttle, whining transmission, pops and creaks from the front springs while backing up, groans from the power steering unit, loud wind noise from the rear windows, rattle in the dash, exploded shock absorber, broken rear seatbelt, premature engagement of the ABS system, rough idle, and it goes dead sometimes if it is not allowed to idle until warm.
Took in the morning of June 12th, they said there was a mix up and did not have a loaner car. I should come back the next day. I Return June 13th, and I was given a Buick Century. I might add someone had just dropped it off; it was just plain nasty inside, smelled like smoke, ashes and cigarettes everywhere, my little girl even found a razor blade under the seat. I checked back at end of week. They have not done anything. The next week they balance the tires.... it still vibrates. Two and a half weeks later they have done nothing further. They are supposed to address all the other issues listed above during this visit. Service manager says they are doing it a little at a time will work it all out. Three and a half weeks into this I started talking to him about a GM buy back and tell him I am calling GM for a case number. The next day my truck is in the shop suddenly and they are going to work late that night to get the parts on it. I come in the following morning and they have not worked on it, but promise they are about to start. That afternoon I drive it with new springs. It still vibrates. Next day they swap a drive shaft out of a 2000 Silverado, No help. That afternoon they swap the wheels and tires with the same new truck. At this point it actually vibrates worse. About this time I notice they have dropped by hitch on the ground, bending the light connector housing up. We flake bits of paint off of it together and the Service Manager assures me he will replace it. Then he takes me out to drive a couple of 2000’s on the lot. One vibrates, not as bad as mine though. Both have no transmission whine or wind noise however. It is interesting that one has 400 miles on the odometer and a feathered tire on the left front wheel. The Service Manager suggests it is a dealer transfer and they probably swapped a problem tire off of a vibrating customer’s truck. He says he will call the GM District Manager and find out how to proceed. The next day I go back twice, by the afternoon he finally says the GM DM says to order new tires and that will fix it. New tires? I said we just put new tires on yesterday. He said they must be defective that the new ones would be in spec, stiffer sidewalls. Does that mean the 2000’s on the lot have defective tires? Guess so. My Sierra has been in the shop for 36 straight days as of July 17th and the only problems they claim to have repaired is the sticking throttle and the exploded shock absorber. Oh, one other note, I complained about the nasty loaner car. They gave me the service department truck to drive; it only has 80,000 miles on it. The fun never stops. The GM satisfaction center will not give me the name of the District Manager. I have filed a complaint with the BBB and sent GM a certified letter asking for a replacement truck. I guess all I can do is wait for the tires. The Service Manager assures me he will have them in 3 days. Last time he order tires for me it took 4 months! I have no confidence in there being able to fix my truck properly. The latest repair for vibration that GM has proposed actually includes welding on the frame!
I am building a web site we can use to share information and voice our dissatisfaction to GM. Please email me if you still own a defective truck, the nature of the defect(s), and if you resolved it, how you did.
I believe there is strength in numbers and we can help each other stand up against General Motors.
Web address: <<A HREF="http://drive.to/agmlemon">http://drive.to/agmlemon>
Email address: < mailto:gm_lemon@bigfoot.com>
Thanks,
Clay Hodges
Dean
Trust me.....whe I decide I need tires I will buy them. I will have them load balanced and will have any, or all, replaced that don't meet the standard. Since I KNOW my truck is fine with tires that meet the load spec. I expect no problem. If I do have.....for whatever the problem.....I will work with my dealer and/or GM to solve it. This will be accomplished in a mature and professional manner.....you would be surprised what can be accomplished that way.
That is the last you will hear from me on this topic...bye!!
Ken
Dean
I was looking at my '00 Denali with the Firestone Firehawks 265/70R16 and was thinking of swapping rims and tires with my silverado. Not too sure what would happen though...at worst, my truck would probably chew the daylights out of the tires.
Dean
Thanks in advance,
Ken
kansan- your transmission howl: is it a loud noise, or is it a kind of buzz that you can feel in the truck? the reason I ask is because I have an ol' '95 4wd w/56k on it that's had a transmission whine since I bought it w/only 24k and the original tranny. Luckily it isn't real loud, I just turn up the stereo...
Ken
Jim
So if your GM truck has cold start rattle we know why.....
For 2001, the main bearing tolerances of these engines have been tightened for quieter, cold-engine startup. Noise and vibration are also reduced by an intake manifold revision that results in better isolation of the fuel injection solenoid.
Clay
My Web address: <<A HREF="http://drive.to/agmlemon">http://drive.to/agmlemon>
Email : <<A HREF="http://gm_lemon@bigfoot.com">mailto:gm_lemon@bigfoot.com>
After reading about the TSB, I took the truck over to Arkansas (I'm in Memphis) and drove up I55. Speed limit is 70 and most of the road is rough. (The only smooth section is being resurfaced. )
Hitting potholes and rough spots at 70, I get a lot of front-end vibrations, but the steering wheel does not twist in my hands. It vibrates up and down a little, but no feeling I'm losing control. It feels mostly like inadequate shocks.
Details: '00 Sierra 1500 SLE manufactured 11/99 in Indiana, Ex cab SB, 5.3L, 3.73 rear locker, Z85 suspension, towing package, aux transmission cooler.
Note to Ryan: Fire Red w/Graphite cloth interior. I'm 47.
Should I be looking at the TSB fix, or just get better shocks?
Peter
Peter
Dean
In my opinion the 2 piece drive shaft causes the launch shutter. Although springs, etc. have been used to correct some of the launch shutter problem, I still believe the 2 piece causes most of that.
John
According to a local tire shop, I can lower to 30 psi without harming the tire if I don't put a heavy load in the rear. I also went back to the GM dealer and ask also. He said that the lower tire pressure has helped in some minor vibrating trucks. He also told me that the lower pressure would not harm the tires.
Whay you guys think..... Think 30 PSI would be okay?
John
On the front, I have stopped at 35psi.
A trick I tried on the tires was to find a flat section of concrete(driveway or something). I drove onto the concrete, used armorall on a rag and wiped all the dust off the front and rear tire tread, and rolled it straight forward for a few tire revoultions. I then looked to see how much of the tire tread was touching the ground. I kept repeating this and lowering the psi until all the tread patch was dusty after rolling on the conncrete. At this point you have maximum traction and I believe the best ride. No cupholder movement now, but ocasionally a little seat vibe on expansion joints on bridges and stuff. However, my friends new F150 does the same thing on the same sections of highway.
Give this a try and let me know how it works for you. By the way, the recommended tire pressure on the drivers door says 28psi for the front and 35 psi for the rear on mine. Don't know if this is different for ext cabs.
Jay
Max tire pressure on Generals is 44#'s? The Generals are the orginal set from the factory? or have they been replaced under warranty? Just wondering on the 28/35 on your door.
Dean
Dean
Jim
I go up to 50 psi front and 70 psi rear when towing my travel trailer - rides real good when towing, but then I'm always having to deflate/inflate tires depending upon whether I'm towing or solo. Guess I'll finally have to break down and get my own air compressor.
1. This morning I drove 3/4 mile and stopped at a slight upward hill at a stop sign. When I pressed the gas petal to leave, the engine revved up,the auto transmission did not engage, then it grabbed slightly,then revved up again, then it grabbed for good and I was off down the road. Strange!
2. Has anyone seen a TSB for the left turn steering wheel whine?
3. When making a sharp right hand turn, something rattles in the drivers side door.
Any info would be helpful.
The psi on the drivers door does read 28psi front and 35psi rear. It is a std cab short stepside 2wd 5.3 auto though. Is yours the same?
Thats odd about the psi ratings on the door being different. 35psi seems to be more in line with what it should be after my testing. Mine was made 10/19/99 in Fort Wayne plant for reference.
Have you tried the armorall trick yet? Just curious to see if it helps anyone out.
I also put a Hellwig rear anti-sway bar on the rear of the truck a few weeks back. It seemed to help smooth out the rear even more when combined with the 32psi of air in the rear tires. Not a drastic difference though.
Jay
Steering wheel whine- need to replace p/s metering valve.
gmcsierra
Don't know if the difference in tire pressure is cause I have an extended cab. I would think that it could be the reason. My truck was also manufactured at Fort Wayne. I tried the armor all yesterday and found 32 psi to be optimal. Gives a slightly better ride on the Michelins.
Dean
Jim