This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My front suspension crossmember completely corroded and cracked in half making my car not drivable. I located the special coverage program online as this appeared to be a common occurrence. I am the 2nd owner. I purchased this car from a woman who resides in assisted living and had been in assisted living since the special coverage notice. As she did not have a driver's license, this vehicle sat in her garage without the needed repair covered by GM until her family sold it to me in June. After a 90min call with a GM rep 10/20/14, I spoke with GM supvr [xxx] who assured me GM would cover cost to tow to the closest dealership as well as cover the repair. He left a vmail for the dealer but did not specify this offer. I left 5 unreturned vmails for [xxx] until I spoke with supvr [xxx] 10/22/14. [xxx] adv she would have her direct report may place a request for consideration stating this would need to be approved and [xxx] should not have promised to cover this repair. 10/27/14 [xxx] 866-760-5700 [xxx] called and very curtly advised this will not be covered and sarcastically reminded me of the expiration of said "special coverage." I requested [xxx] supervisor and [xxx] advised "let me tell you what he will say..he will say 'no'.." I asked for [xxx] supervisor again and was told she would have that person call me. 10/30/14 as I have not received a call back I called GM and after 21min I was directed to another rep. [xxx]. 16min later I was told by [xxx] she would have [xxx] supvr [xxx] call me within the next 48hrs. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The entire undercarriage has rotted, including the brake lines, oil lines and antifreeze coolant lines. I do not believe this is normal for any car, even though the car is 12 years old. It was happening to the previous owner but he was reluctant to report it...I am not. I have owned the car only for about 4 months now. I have had to replace some of the coolant lines and some of the brake lines. Now the oil lines are leaking heavily and I am going to have to have them replaced as well. Also, the previous owner said that when a passenger tried to use the seat belt it completely locked up on the front passenger side. I have not been able to have a passenger in the front seat because it is illegal to have a passenger ride without a seat belt. I feel that the car should B E repaired by General Motors since I feel the steel used in building this car was not properly coated, thereby causing this severe deterioration of the undercarriage. I had to be towed when the brakes failed going down rt. 739 in Pennsylvania, just before a huge hill/downgrade in the roadway. Now the coolant lines are leaking due to rust and so are the oil lines.
2001 Chevy Tracker with rusted front cross member. The cross member rusted and broke leaving the lower a arm disconnect from the frame on one end. This causes an uncontrollable shake and totally out of control. This is extremely dangerous, especially at highway speeds. I contacted a Chevy dealer and also General Motors and was told that there is nothing that can be done because the special coverage offer had expired. The special coverage was for 10 years or 150,000 miles. My Tracker has 59,450 miles but was rejected because of a time limit. I was never sent a notice because I was not the original owner and didn't buy it from a GM dealer. GM could have queried each state's registration databases for ownership. I was told by GM that I could have brought it in and had it inspected. How would I have known to bring it in for inspection if I am unaware that a potential structural problem exist. This is a structural item that should outlast the drive line and body... to limit it by time or mileage is absurd and shrugging responsibility. The very last thing that should fail is the structure. I argued that it is a factory defect and should have no time limit because it is a structural item which when failed could cause an accident and possible death and property damage. And I feel that the factory should be liable for the entire life of the vehicle. If it is otherwise road worthy and meets state inspection then the special coverage should apply. It is the factory's responsibility to provide safe vehicles. With a computer model, knowing the grade of steel, the thickness of the steel one can calculate the approximate time it would take to rust through. This is why there should be no time limit for responsibility.
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tracker. While driving a loud bump was heard, the steering wheel began to shake and the vehicle pulled to the left. The repair shop stated that the cross members on the right side of the vehicle were severed. The VIN, engine size and speed were unknown but will be added to the hardcopy. The current and failure mileages were 144,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Alfred, ME, USA