CarComplaints.com Notes: It didn't take long for the cladding to fade, discolor, and in some cases crack. Cladding is the protective plastic piece that runs along the outside of vehicles, and exposure to both heat and UV rays give the Avalanche's cladding a chalky, faded appearance.
Owners have said the problem is especially bad on the panels near the cargo bed. Eventually, GM agreed to a one-time treatment of ArmorDillo, a protective treatment similar to what you find in any auto shop. Unfortunately, that would only help for 6 months (on average).
Eventually, GM offered another coating solution for owners within the 3 year / 36,000 mile original warranty under TSB:04-08-111-001C.
Just got on I476 @ Clark Summit, PA on my way from upstate NY to southern New Jersey when I blew my right rear tire. Called AAA and waited about an hour before tow truck arrived. Before jacking and removing bad tire, tow truck operator wanted to see if I could drop my undercarriage spare. Sure as hell, it hung up on the secondary latch. I had this same problem before and thought I had avoided any future problems by grinding most of the secondary latch off - left just enough of the hook so that it may hold but by wiggling the tire it would release the latch. Also had installed straps in case tire dropped - had to cut them off. Had to be towed to the nearest tire dealer - cost me $150.00.
Complained to GM about this problem, along with some additional problems I've had to throw money at over the last 6 months. Their answer was to give me a $2,000 customer loyalty credit towards the purchase or lease of a new GM vehicle. Told them I wasn't interested in buying a new vehicle at this time and that I would be consulting with a lawyer about the possibility of initiating a class action suit. (By the way, Googled "GM truck spare tire latch" and got 832,000 hits - I'm not the only one with this problem)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Just got on I476 @ Clark Summit, PA on my way from upstate NY to southern New Jersey when I blew my right rear tire. Called AAA and waited about an hour before tow truck arrived. Before jacking and removing bad tire, tow truck operator wanted to see if I could drop my undercarriage spare. Sure as hell, it hung up on the secondary latch. I had this same problem before and thought I had avoided any future problems by grinding most of the secondary latch off - left just enough of the hook so that it may hold but by wiggling the tire it would release the latch. Also had installed straps in case tire dropped - had to cut them off. Had to be towed to the nearest tire dealer - cost me $150.00.
Complained to GM about this problem, along with some additional problems I've had to throw money at over the last 6 months. Their answer was to give me a $2,000 customer loyalty credit towards the purchase or lease of a new GM vehicle. Told them I wasn't interested in buying a new vehicle at this time and that I would be consulting with a lawyer about the possibility of initiating a class action suit. (By the way, Googled "GM truck spare tire latch" and got 832,000 hits - I'm not the only one with this problem)
- Craig M., Frankfort, NY, US