Never a clean service

[stovt001]

Warning, mild venting alert....

I took my car in to an independent shop for the usual maintenance today. Sadly I can't do my own work since our apartment has a no-wrenching policy. A little while later I get a call from the guy telling me the work is about done. Going through the work, he said he checked the brakes, and with 3 years and 39,000 miles on them, the brakes are still at 80%. Now that's the kind of news that just puts a smile on your face. I love how long GM's brakes last. Unfortunately, that happiness was shattered with his next announcement. Both front struts are leaking significantly and must be replaced ASAP. My car is still under warranty and this is pretty premature for the struts to go out, but it isn't as slam-dunk, cut-and-dry warranty issue. So now I get to go down to the dealership and try to get this covered under warranty. If not, this is gonna cost... Sigh.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by stovt001

Warning, mild venting alert....

I took my car in to an independent shop for the usual maintenance today. Sadly I can't do my own work since our apartment has a no-wrenching policy. A little while later I get a call from the guy telling me the work is about done. Going through the work, he said he checked the brakes, and with 3 years and 39,000 miles on them, the brakes are still at 80%. Now that's the kind of news that just puts a smile on your face. I love how long GM's brakes last. Unfortunately, that happiness was shattered with his next announcement. Both front struts are leaking significantly and must be replaced ASAP. My car is still under warranty and this is pretty premature for the struts to go out, but it isn't as slam-dunk, cut-and-dry warranty issue. So now I get to go down to the dealership and try to get this covered under warranty. If not, this is gonna cost... Sigh.

Why isn't it a slam dunk? You are still under warranty.

[TheClassicCarKid]

Originally Posted by irpq11

Why isn't it a slam dunk? You are still under warranty.

He doesn't know whether or not the warranty will cover it...idk why, it seems like it would definitely be covered to me

[stovt001]

Oh I know it should, but initially it seems to me like they'll either try to say it was due to abusive driving (never mind it is a Cobalt LS and therefore isn't even capable of abusive driving) or they'll say it is a wear item. I know it should be covered, they know it should be covered, but we all know how dealers love making your life miserable.

[TheClassicCarKid]

Originally Posted by stovt001

Oh I know it should, but initially it seems to me like they'll either try to say it was due to abusive driving (never mind it is a Cobalt LS and therefore isn't even capable of abusive driving) or they'll say it is a wear item. I know it should be covered, they know it should be covered, but we all know how dealers love making your life miserable.

I really think they'll cover you, but if they don't I would just keep going to different Chevy dealerships, you're bound to get one that will fix it if you have a few in your area.
Good luck!

[PolishMike]

i live in a "no wrenching" condo complex too. They sent me fines so I sent them bills for a couple oil changes. I knew the guy at the oil change place and got him to send an invoice to the HOA. They stopped bothering me after a few of those and I have since built engines in the garage LOL.

[stovt001]

Ah well good news. I took it in and was told if it was the struts, they were covered under warranty, but shocks are not. The struts were the problem, so all is being taken care of. (Parts are, unfortunately, on order). This is the second time I've been to this dealership after switching from my old one. The old dealership would have fought this tooth and nail. I think this one is looking much better.

[AngryAmish]

Glad you found a dealer that is working for you. Mine has never given me a problem about anything.

Originally Posted by stovt001

Oh I know it should, but initially it seems to me like they'll either try to say it was due to abusive driving (never mind it is a Cobalt LS and therefore isn't even capable of abusive driving) or they'll say it is a wear item. I know it should be covered, they know it should be covered, but we all know how dealers love making your life miserable.

[stovt001]

Yup, old dealership never wanted to accept warranty work. They'd fight long and hard arguing it was either outside of the warranty's coverage or wasn't a problem that needed to be fixed at all. I'm lucky I live in the LA area and have so many dealers to choose from. I can see how you can get some bad dealers in remote areas where they're the only one for that brand around, but here where there is competition, well, one dealer lost my business and another picked it up.

[JewelZ]

You should be covered!

[stovt001]

Another problem I've been having with my Cobalt is a glitchy display on the radio head unit. I was going to bring it up while it was in for the struts, but I kept forgetting. I figured it would be one of those things I could never get to repeat in front of a service advisor, so I just let it go. I got the call to pick it up today after the struts were replaced under warranty (would have cost me $470 otherwise. Yikes) and lo and behold, as I climb in the car, the screen is glitching again. I debated calling the service advisor over, but I decided I wanted my car back and didn't feel like doing more paperwork, so I drove off. I decided to get an aftermarket head unit that is ipod and satellite radio compatible anyway.

[djsnoflake]

I have an 07 G5, and I have had no problem getting warranty work done, I am just having a problem with them doing it right. I have been there 5 times for my radio becoming loose and making a buzzing sound from vibrating in its housing.

I have it booked in for next week, as the problem has popped up again. Can't they just glue it in there or something??

Jeez.