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I am sorry if your email in September was missed – I would recommend re-sending it. I will follow up with Caron! Thank you for being patient with us, and I apologize that your interactions with your dealership haven’t been satisfactory.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Sarah/Caron,
My initial mail was sent on August 26th, not in September as I stated. I had resent that to you earlier today to your socialmedia address along with some additional information.
please let me know if you did not receive this today.
Thanks
What GM really should look into is retrofitting whatever transmission they used after the VCT in the late '05 models into the failed VCT's, I'm not sure what other components would need replaced, though at least that may stop the future failures which seem inevitable... I would imagine this would also be more cost effective also rather than rebuilding & replacing a VCT several times in a single vehicle as which seems to be the case.
They know this transmission is destine for failure, yet they keep using rebuilds with the same issue... I don't get it?
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
What can I do?
Also last year my AC started going bad everytime I stopped at a stop sign it blowed hot air! What can I do about this?
I am upside down in my 2003 Saturn Vue and the transmission went out two weeks ago with milage under 100k.
There is a class action lawsuit going on you might be elligible for if your transmission is out and there's a Saturn Special Assistance you might qualify for.
He finally took it to a Chevrolet dealer in the area on Monday and called me back today. Now he is telling me that the catalytic converter also needs to be replaced and that is another $1500 parts and labor. The car is not worth as much as it is costing me to fix it. This was my third Saturn and the whole reason I purchased a Saturn was because I trusted the brand.
I'm sorry to hear about the numerous concerns that have arisen with your VUE. Have you already been working with Customer Assistance?
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Mr. Daniel Akerson
CEO
General Motors
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265
I will post after I hear back from him. If I hear back from him...
My condition happens during low speed travel on level grade around 30-35 mph and the engine taching at 1300-1400rpm. You must keep your rpm's steady. It shudders the whole car and rattles to body panels, like the engine is running on only 3 cyl.
This problem was a recall for torque convertor or related issue.
Mine is gonig in and will be repair still covered from the recall bullitin
If you would like for us to establish a case to evaluate your particular situation through Customer Service, please send us an email that includes the following information: your name/user name and contact information (phone and address), the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, the name of your involved dealership, and a description of the visits you've made to address your current concerns.
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
The dealer inspected the vehicle and confirmed my mechanics diagnosis, however due to it being a late 2004 build, it doesn't qualify under the TSB. The dealership's hands are tied, so I called Saturn Corporate who opened a case to see if they could assist me. Two days later, I received a phone call back stating that even though the vehicle shows the same symptoms as those covered under the TSB, the vehicle doesn't qualify for warranty repair.
I've dealt with auto manufacturer's through the legal system before. It's a long process, but I will not sit by to let them say this isn't covered under an issue Honda and GM have both acknowledged. Is there a class-action suit already in process for this issue? If not, I'll be contacting my counsel who's helped me in the past this afternoon.
Information regarding the class action lawsuit
http://www.lakinlaw.com/CM/ClassAction/ClassAction55.asp
You can file complaints with (takes about 5 min):
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Website http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners/
Better Business Bureau
Website http://www.bbb.org/
Post your problem for the VTi transmission on forum boards
Write your local politicians
Congressmen, local officials and attorney general you can find your local officials at c-span. You may have to Google your state and attorney general separately to find out who that is.
http://www.c-span.org/CongressDirectory/
Last but not least you can write the CEO of GM
Mr. Daniel Akerson
CEO GM
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Mine is in the shop right now because the service engine soon light was on for about 2 weeks and then went off. It lags when you first accelerate. They told me today that it is something with the transmission and that the fluid is full but it is black meaning there is metal in it due to something coming apart. They agreed to split the cost of the transmission repair/replacement with me 50/50. It seems others have been able to get GM to foot the entire bill. I am not sure how though. Any ideas?
They also told me my sway bar links are bad and need to be replaced. Is that the same thing as you indicated (rear stabilizers)?
My CD player broke. My hood release lever has come off multiple times. The hazzard light button has been pushed inside my dash board twice. This is my 5th Saturn and the WORST car I have even owned.
I am sick about this. We live on one income and have two small children. I am about to return Christmas presents in order to pay for this. Sickening.
1. Gas pedal position sensor NG
2. throttle position sensor NG
3. Wiring between them NG
Basically, your car can't figure out what position the gas pedal or throttle body are in or its reported position does not agree with what it thinks it is...the car goes into reduced performance mode as a safety interlock so it doesn't accelerate wildly out of control. To protect you from harm it limits how fast the car will go. When you turned the car off and back on you were able to reset it and it was OK until the values didn't agree again. Any good dealer or otherwise mechanic will be able to help you easily...pretty sure that the accelerator pedal position sensor is the most common one to go bad.
Good Luck :shades:
If you plan on working with a dealership and would like Customer Assistance to help in the process, feel free to contact us via email with more information including your name and contact information (phone and address), Edmunds username, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and involved dealership.
Happy Holidays,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Answer is likely no. We the taxpayers gave GM the bailout, in turn they outsourced many jobs overseas.
If you get anything for them it will be a 50/50 split for overpriced dealership labor.... this is not the same GM that built my '62 Pontiac.
My condition happens during low speed travel on level grade around 30-35 mph and the engine taching at 1300-1400rpm. You must keep your rpm's steady. It shudders the whole car and rattles to body panels, like the engine is running on only 3 cyl.
This problem was a recall for torque convertor or related issue.
Mine is gonig in and will be repair still covered from the recall bullitin
What are these 7 possible parts?
Per GM Customer Service, once the car goes in, the reprogram is completed, & the car does not throw a code, the vehicle is deemed ok & the issue is closed.
The tech who did my reprogram late on a Saturday reported the car still had issues needed resolved after a test drive, I could bring int back at my convienence since a rental would not be provided. When I returned it to the dealer in the next month, they had the vehicle for nearly 2 weeks & claimed they could not find a problem, yet the tech that reprogramed it was no longer employed there. Yes the techs report is documented... so far he/she was the only person to find this problem.
The dealer had been giving me vague answers on this issue, my mistake was taking it home that Saturday afternoon. Per GM I now have to pay the dealership diagnostic fees for any further issues, & they are telling me that this erratic, & abrupt jerky shifting is either normal or it's not misbehaving for them, & not 'throwing codes'.
I initally complained in March of 2009, to Saturn when the vehicle was still under powertrain warranty, I was given a $115 car wash, told that I didn't understand a 5 speed transmission, & sent on my way.
It still shifts often like someone learning to drive a manual.... :mad:
Off topic, but has anyone had their rear tailgate start rusting on the '06 & '07 also?
It broke down one day out of nowhere. I had it towed to the garage, and they said it was the transmission, and that I can expect to have to replace it again. I held on to the car for over a year with a dead transmission because I couldn't afford the 5,000 dollars it would cost! I ended up having to take out yet another car loan again because paying another car payment was easier than being to fork up the 5,000 to fix the tranny. Im a single working mother who doesnt have much of a savings account! I also go to school full time...anyways....
So, 500 dollars a month for over a year, and it finally came down to having to have it reposessed because my hours at work were cut in half. The sad thing is, I miss the HELL out of that car. It was beautiful to look at, drived well (minus the grinding) and had great storage. Does anyone know if the transmission issue applies to a 2004 Saturn VUE with a manual transmission? I really do miss that car!
No, you are safe with a manual, I wish I could have purchased a manual, due to arthritic conditions during winter months made that impossible.
I had lost my job back in May, (outsourced overseas in a nutshell), reason I can not be throwing money away at this point. When & if the torque converter dies, I'll have to go out for a beater which should be a fraction of the cost of a repair.
I also noted yesterday (once again) on a stop & go freeway, I had always noted the very abrupt initial jerky start, I noted this went away when I put the Vue into "I", the converter seemed to engage normally from a stop as I straggled in stop & go traffic.
Really, should the Vue need be started from a stop in the 'I' range?
My wife and I bought our FWD Redline Vue new in 2004. Recently I noticed it jerking a little when taking off from a stop or at slow speeds. Since reading this thread, "Shuddering" is a good word to describe it. Back in the summer months, we were driving it to North Carolina for vacation and I noticed that when I kept it at a steady speed (not under heavy load) between the speed of 35 and 50 mph, the tachometer was fluctuating about 200 - 300 rpms and the sound of the engine would change slightly while it was fluctuating.
My wife drives all highway miles to work and the car currently has 155,000 miles on it but other than that we maintain it well, it still looks great and the engine is as quiet as when we bought it.
After finding this thread I got nervous and just called Saturn/GM support. They said there are no recalls or TSB's for my car and when I mentioned this discussion and that there seems to be a GM representative posting in it, he said that they have no affiliation with this site and their representatives do not post here...
THEN WHO IS SARA GRACE WHO IS POSTING HERE?
They just gave me a file number and told me to take it to a GM dealer to diagnose. He said if I elected to have any work done there, I would be responsible for all diagnosis charges and any replacement parts and labor.
What do we do? We need this car and can't be without a car for weeks? Anyone have a print out or electronic version of a TSB for this? I don't want to take it to the dealership and be dismissed and then have the entire transmission burn up a couple months from now.
Does this look like a car that has 155,000 miles? We really take care of our vehicles.
Some customers of 2002-2005 model year Saturn VUE vehicles equipped with a Variable Transmission with Intelligence (VTi) (RPO M75/M16); and 2003-2004 Saturn ION Quad Coupe vehicles equipped with VTi (RPO M75) may comment about transmission noise or reduced performance.
Here's a copy of what was contained in a letter sent by GM to registered customers:
November 2009 (Letter for U.S. Customers)
Dear Saturn Customer:
As the owner of a 2002, 2003, 2004, or 2005 model year Saturn VUE, or a 2003 or 2004 model year Saturn ION Quad Coupe, equipped with a Variable Transmission with Intelligence (VTi), your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.
This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 model year Saturn VUE, and some 2003 and 2004 model year Saturn ION Quad Coupe vehicles, equipped with a VTi, may exhibit excessive transmission noise or reduced performance.
Do not take your vehicle to your Saturn retailer, or GM dealer if a Saturn retailer is not available, as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.
What We Have Done: General Motors has already provided Saturn owners with additional express warranty coverage for the VTi transmission.
• If this condition occurs on your 2002, 2003, 2004, or 2005 model year Saturn VUE; 2003 or 2004 model year Saturn ION Quad Coupe, equipped with a VTi, within 5 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 75,000 miles, whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than the condition described above is not covered under this Special Reimbursement Policy.
• If your vehicle is no longer eligible for the coverage above, but is within 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership, General Motors will pay 50% of the cost of the eligible repair to the vehicle's transmission; you will be responsible for the remaining 50% of the repair cost. In lieu of this assistance, at the first instance of a needed repair within these time and mileage limits, a $5,000 customer credit is available to you. If you elect this option, your vehicle will be purchased for a $5,000 customer credit (less any lien) towards the purchase of a new GM vehicle within 30 days. Your servicing dealer/retailer will assist you in the $5,000 customer credit process. If you select this option, a copy of your current vehicle registration and title will be required at this time.
What You Should Do: If your vehicle should require repairs to the VTi within the time and mileage limits listed above, contact your Saturn retailer. If a Saturn retailer is not available, please call the Saturn Customer Assistance Center for assistance.
If your vehicle does not require repairs to the VTi, keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.
Reimbursement: The enclosed form explains what reimbursement is available and how to request reimbursement if you have paid for eligible repairs for the VTi transmission. These repairs must have been performed on your vehicle on or after July 10, 2009. Your request for reimbursement, including the information and documents mentioned on the enclosed form, must be received by GM by November 30, 2010 (November 30, 2011 for California residents).
If you have any questions related to this Special Reimbursement Policy or a potential reimbursement, please contact the Saturn Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-972-8876 or 1 800-833-6000 (TTY).
We are sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced; however we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Scott Lawson
Director,
Customer and Relationship Services
Enclosure
09280
I apologize for your frustrations and concerns. My name is Christina; I work with Sarah as a part of GM's Customer Service team. The agent most likely thought u were referring to a host from the site. Can you please email me your Service Request number the agent gave you? I would like to look into this further for you. I look forward to your email.
Christina
GM Customer Service
Information regarding the class action lawsuit
http://www.lakinlaw.com/CM/ClassAction/ClassAction55.asp
You can file complaints with :
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Website http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners/
Better Business Bureau
Website http://www.bbb.org/
Post your problem for the VTi transmission on forum boards
Write your local politicians
Congressmen, local officials and attorney general you can find your local officials at c-span. You may have to Google your state and attorney general separately to find out who that is.
http://www.c-span.org/CongressDirectory/
Last but not least you can write the CEO of GM
Mr. Daniel Akerson
CEO GM
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265
Here is the website for the lawsuit that was filed.
http://www.lakinlaw.com/
Twitter
http://twitter.com/gmcustomersvc
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/generalmotors?v+wall
Thank you
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