Unfortunately, some problems cannot be duplicated after an hour. I had a car where the customer said that the electronially foldable side mirrors did not work. I sat there for about 10 minutes folding and unfolding them and they worked fine every time and there were no trouble codes in the system to indicate a problem. Should I have sat there all day, folding and unfolding the mirrors and not getting paid? I don't think so. And I've had other various concerns that I've kept the car for a few days, trying to duplicate it at several points throughout the day (hot, cold, etc..). If there is a concern you have that you can get to happen pretty consistantly, I suggest you ask to drive with a tech/service advisor/service manager and show them the problem when you drop it off. And put a big sign on the steering wheel saying "DO NOT WASH"

 

I typed out a page long description that got the belt tensiner fixed that described to the detail to get the problem duplicated. The 2nd visit the dealer used chassis ears, but I did tell the Service Advisor from the beginning that the belt was slipping on the power steering pulley. GM should eat the cost paying the Techs to fix the issues. Thank goodness the OnStar is obvious. Tech did a sloppy rush job.

Thanks for your help IROC. The hoses for the TSB on the clicking noise came in as they were on order...

 

I wasn't trying to defend them at all, by the way. Just saying that not every problem can be found in an hour and sometimes communication can be the problem. You tell the service advisor one thing (or several things) and he re-words it and leaves parts out on the repair order. Then when the technician asks the service advisor, the advisor doesn't remember exactly what you had told him. Always read what he types on the repair order and make sure it is what you said.

And if it is a warranty fix, GM will pay the techs to fix it. But warranty pay is VERY low in most all cases and if the tech can't even duplicate the concern, chances are he won't get paid for anything. I'm not a GM tech, so I can't say for sure... but I'm pretty sure GM isn't going to pay techs when nothing was fixed, ya know? Just an example of how warranty pay works (with Volvo anyway, and probably very similar for GM and other brands). We have a common problem with certain models wehre the electronic damper motors for the climate system make excessive noise because they constantly hunt for their position. The fix is a software download, for which Volvo pays 0.30 hr. We have to get the car, run the climate system and listen to the noise in question and determine if the software will fix it. Then hook it up to the computer and pull and print any codes that may be set. Hook up a battery charger, order and download the software (the download itself takes about 0.10 hr). Then, recalibrate the damper motors, perform a complete function test of the climate system and recheck codes. The process takes at least .5 hr, so we actually lose time on those and that is the case with most warranty pay jobs. So I'm pretty sure the technician wants to duplicate your concern so he can at least get paid something, ya know?

 

Got it, but if the job is not fixed then the car will just keep coming back until it does. In the end then everyone loses in my opinion.

 

I agree totally. But when dealing with warranty, there are procedures on how things must be done in order for the dealership to get paid from GM. The dealership has to hold on to parts replaced under warranty for a certain amount of time. In that time, GM can call back the parts. If they call back a part and it wasn't bad or they can't duplicate a concern with it, then the dealership gets docked the cost of the part plus shipping and too much of that and they get audited and lose other privileges. Unfortunately it's just the way it works

 

24_48 I have a solution for you.....BUY A TOYOTA, HONDA, NISSAN. Won't have that problem then because QUALITY is much higher. And for the record I haven't had one problem with my 06 LTZ. Maybe you got a lemon? Also did you ask before you bought the car if a loaner was included if the car came in for servicing? I believe problems like that could be avoided if asked in advance. Just my .02 worth.

 

Cain you missed the point. It isabout Customer Service on any product after it is sold to the customer if you want a repeat customer. I prefer to buy American, but if one does not care about the quality of their work or customer service then the Company (no matter who it is) deserves to go under and those individuals can lose their jobs, but I do see IROC's point of view. I was just stating my experiences with Dealers over the past 15 years, but I guess that was my fault in doing so. But you are right that the Japanese Auto makers do make good cars. I just don't prefer to buy them.

I was taught a good work ethic by my High School Autos Teacher in 80s. I guess why go the extra mile today to keep customers. Your right. My expectations are too high for a belt tenisoner and OnStar to be fixed in 3 trips. Good Luck getting a dealer to admit on a lemon. My salesperson calls me every year about if I am interested in a new car. I will have a good answer for her. I am buying from another Dealer. And she was shocked we I said the Cobalt got terrible reviews.

I guess if Henderick Motorsports moves to a Toyota and they bring back the Supra then I might take a look at it. GM is a mess. It's a shame because they hold a lot of Automotive History.

 

oh man i hope not...the toyota's can barely even make the races!!
i think thats funny..i feel bad for waltrip because i like him....but toyota can't even make races

 

I figured that would go over well... But Toyota has so much money and they will dump whatever it takes into winning the championship. It is just a matter of time before it happens.

 

Dodges had the same problem when they came into Nascar...only a matter of time before Toyota gets it right, they always do.

Customer service with a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan is better as well. I've experienced it firsthand and it's amazing. They will fix the car right or buy it back before allowing a customer to leave unhappy. Just my experience though.