Bad luck with vehicles.........

[nmu98]

I need to vent a little so please bear with me.... We just got back from a 14 hour trip with the truck. The trip was great but the truck did not seem so happy on the trip. I can normally get into the 20mpg range but I was struggling to get 18 on the computer. After it was all said and done, hand calc-ed, I got 15. Most of the way were 2 lane back roads driving at 60 with nothing in the truck but 2 adults 2 kids and 75 gallons of fuel in the transfer flow tank... I should have got better milage........

On the trip the passenger side door handle broke off. My wife, 115 pounds, went to open it and she ended up with the handle in her hand. Looks like the plastic broke around the bolts holding it to the door....

The front spoiler under the front bumper decided to come loose and it blew under the front tire at 60mph, ripping half of it off..... including the fog lamp....

Both towing mirrors started to come loose and they rattled to no end. The dealer said it was fairly common for these to come loose for some reason????

While we were at the dealership, I was walking around the truck and asking them to please put more anti squeak tape on the doors, I found that my wheel liner on the front was falling down and there was a 4 inch hole wore in it from rubbing on the tire. This was the opposite side that the spoiler ripped off, so it would have had nothing to do with that...

I must have a truck that was built on a friday..... But most of the items that broke were held on with plastic push pins.... Its frustrating to only have 30K on this thing and have the lack of quality.

I don't off road this truck. I don't beat it... I have other vehicles to have fun in.... and I really feel it should be holding up a lot better than it has over the 30K. This is the 6th trip to the dealer in 2 years over stupid stuff breaking, and 3 others over engine codes and failures.......

 

[Dmace]

So what kind of truck is it...?

 

[nmu98]

I kinda wanted to keep that out.... but.....2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD Dmax.........

Builder will be all over me because the ALMIGHTY GM product could never have issues.......

It makes me mad because this is the first truck I have kept stock (other thant he fuel tank) for a long time because I was sick of always having an issue with daily drivers......

I know all trucks have issues... But these seem to be constant and stupid problems that GM should have a handle on...

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

It's a GM product. No wonder there having money troubles. It's funny some of the items you mentioned having issuse with. My wife's gmc yukon had the same fender liner issues and the rattleing is at time unbearable. I noticed last week that the door moldings paint is faded on all four. I contacted the dealer and was told nope not cover by the extended warranty. I asked what should mileage have to do with a defective paint job? No response, so I feel your frustration. I explained that a 07 60k$ vehicle should not have any such issues and if the issues do arise GM should bendover backwards to make it right. Again no response. The fact is that these car makers put quanity over quality and have no customer loyaly. In America customer service is DEAD!

Matt

 

[LBrown59]

So what kind of truck is it...?

Let me know so i won't by 1.

 

[Dargo]

I know all trucks have issues... But these seem to be constant and stupid problems that GM should have a handle on...

I've, unfortunately, seen this drop in quality in several different make vehicles. I realize that the manufacturers have to be profitable, but sometimes I personally feel that they cut too many corners and expect us, the consumer, to accept lower quality. My thought is that I'd expect it if I were buying a new pickup for, say, ten thousand bucks or something like that. The fact is that the vehicles I've noticed this in, and hear complaints about, seem to be pickups and SUV's. As you know, these are typically some of the higher profit margin vehicles. I think their days of having blindly loyal customers, for the most part, are gone.

I wish I had a good suggestion for you, but I don't. I have phone numbers for regional customer support for each manufacturer. The problem is that I've been told that complaining to them generally only gets you excuses and, perhaps, a free oil change. I think your best bet is to politely just continue to express your dissatisfaction with your dealer. Most, not all, are decent people and will respond positively if you go out of your way to be polite, but not accept "sorry" (and no further action) for an answer. As wrong as it seems, the manufacturers lean on the dealers quite a bit to fix these "problem" vehicles. Good luck!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Been my experience with GM also including my current daily driver, a Saturn. Good motors, decent trannys, but the rest will fall apart and nickel and dime you to death. Thats my view of GM and probably most of the general public. My neighbors 2007 Classic 3500 SRW Dmax 4x4 is just about like your truck as far as quality with less than 40,000 miles on it. Now you see why they are in trouble and needed Government funding to stay afloat. May not be around for much longer.

Only suggestion I have for the mpg is change the air filter. The GM filter minder that tells you when it needs changed does not work. I just put in a filter in my neighbors truck mentioned above after 38,000 miles and the minder said it was only 25% restricted. He noted 3 mpg loss and changing the air filter fixed that. Its a common problem with the Dmax. Just change the filter every 20,000 miles or more often in extreme conditions.

Chris

 

[Renze]

Been my experience with GM also including my current daily driver, a Saturn. Good motors, decent trannys, but the rest will fall apart and nickel and dime you to death.

In the USA you guys seem to rate Ford as the better vehicle available today.
Over here, Ford had boatloads of the previous generation Mondeo in lease contracts, because the car was a lot nicer to drive than the old Mondeo, the 2.0 TDDI and TDCI diesels were way nicer than the old and underpowered 1.8 TD, and for the monthly payments, they were just a steal deal. When the lease contracts ended, the vehicles had rust problems and the market wouldnt pay prices for the used Mondeos as for other brand ex-lease cars. This brought Ford into financial trouble, as they had leased them for way too little.

I think GM already saw it coming and decided to "cut costs" in order to lower their prices and maintain their sales position.

 

[nmu98]

Now its a parts waiting game. The cannot fix all of it until next Thursday.

The dealer is treating me well for the most part, and they are being honest about the problems. I just question what else is falling apart that i do not know about....

This truck is a love hate relationship...... so far, I love the tires...30K and still half tread.... But, I hate the rest of the truck.... But there is no getting rid of it in this economy, so I need to live with it for a few years.......

NEVER AGAIN will I buy a GM. Not all due to this truck, but between this truck and the govt bailout and bankrupcy.... I do not feel like I want to support their business...

 

[Builder]

I kinda wanted to keep that out.... but.....2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD Dmax.........

Builder will be all over me because the ALMIGHTY GM product could never have issues.......

It makes me mad because this is the first truck I have kept stock (other thant he fuel tank) for a long time because I was sick of always having an issue with daily drivers......

I know all trucks have issues... But these seem to be constant and stupid problems that GM should have a handle on...

I'm not going to be "ALL OVER" you. If you are seeking advice, as I suspect you are by making your problems public here, trade the thing in and buy a Ford or Dodge if you're unhappy or be more forcefull with the service department.

Be proactive. Change your situation and move on to something else! That's why I changed truck brands.

There's nothing written in stone that any given brand of truck will be the truck of a lifetime. Seems like me and JCseven are having a great ownership experience so far.

 

[Builder]

Now its a parts waiting game. The cannot fix all of it until next Thursday.

The dealer is treating me well for the most part, and they are being honest about the problems. I just question what else is falling apart that i do not know about....

This truck is a love hate relationship...... so far, I love the tires...30K and still half tread.... But, I hate the rest of the truck.... But there is no getting rid of it in this economy, so I need to live with it for a few years.......

NEVER AGAIN will I buy a GM. Not all due to this truck, but between this truck and the govt bailout and bankrupcy.... I do not feel like I want to support their business...

If the only reason you love your truck and continue to keep it is because of "the tires", then obviously you need to move on to another brand. You used to love GM, then it was Ford, now you dislike GM, right my friend? (In case anyone thinks we're being "disagreeable" we're not, we know each other from a long way back)

If you feel that strongly about the bailout, then your beef should be with the gov't, not GM. The gov't was in charge of that decision, not GM.

I'm pushing 40,000 miles of work truck useage and really have nothing to complain about. My truck is covered with dirt & dust and has 2,000 lbs in the utility body and ladders on the racks since I took delivery of it and no problems. I take my son to football practice every night listening intently for the doors to fall off and the front end to collapse under its' own weight, but it hasn't happened yet. My truck is quiet, hendles perfectly and gets 13-14MPG in 100% suburban/rural driving

Maybe I got the only good truck they ever made.

 

[nmu98]

If the only reason you love your truck and continue to keep it is because of "the tires", then obviously you need to move on to another brand. You used to love GM, then it was Ford, now you dislike GM, right my friend? (In case anyone thinks we're being "disagreeable" we're not, we know each other from a long way back)

If you feel that strongly about the bailout, then your beef should be with the gov't, not GM. The gov't was in charge of that decision, not GM.

I'm pushing 40,000 miles of work truck useage and really have nothing to complain about. My truck is covered with dirt & dust and has 2,000 lbs in the utility body and ladders on the racks since I took delivery of it and no problems. I take my son to football practice every night listening intently for the doors to fall off and the front end to collapse under its' own weight, but it hasn't happened yet. My truck is quiet, hendles perfectly and gets 13-14MPG in 100% suburban/rural driving

Maybe I got the only good truck they ever made.

No, The tires are not why I keep the truck.... I feel I need to keep it so I do not waste money. Due to the market for vehicles right now, I would have a hard time accepting what anyone would give me for the truck.

I think my favorite truck of all time was my 2003 Dmax. That truck is the reason I went back to GM after my 2 Fords. When I bought this truck I made a promise not to modify it. Before I bought it, I spent alot of time around the new Ford and the GM. I liked the Ford in every way but the unknown of the motor (at that time). As you know duke, I have made some mistake in ruining good trucks with Lift kits and other mods.... So I bought this truck with every intension of not modding it, running and working it , but also keeping it for some time. My wallet chose this truck, not my gut.....

I feel very strongly about the bailout, both with banks and autos. I will not go into my political thoughts, other than to say I own a Jeep, and I will keep it as long as I can, and I will never own another GM if I can help it.

Correct me if i am wrong, but you have the same basic body style of my 03 but in a GMC. I put 42-47K on my 03 with only 2 trips to the dealer. I could not even tell you why I was there. That was a good truck... I feel that Quality was sacraficed in the new GM styling.... I also never had complaints of creaks in my older style pickup.... I do not think you would be happy with a new style GM truck....

 

[Builder]

No, The tires are not why I keep the truck.... I feel I need to keep it so I do not waste money. Due to the market for vehicles right now, I would have a hard time accepting what anyone would give me for the truck.

I think my favorite truck of all time was my 2003 Dmax. That truck is the reason I went back to GM after my 2 Fords. When I bought this truck I made a promise not to modify it. Before I bought it, I spent alot of time around the new Ford and the GM. I liked the Ford in every way but the unknown of the motor (at that time). As you know duke, I have made some mistake in ruining good trucks with Lift kits and other mods.... So I bought this truck with every intension of not modding it, running and working it , but also keeping it for some time. My wallet chose this truck, not my gut.....

I feel very strongly about the bailout, both with banks and autos. I will not go into my political thoughts, other than to say I own a Jeep, and I will keep it as long as I can, and I will never own another GM if I can help it.

Correct me if i am wrong, but you have the same basic body style of my 03 but in a GMC. I put 42-47K on my 03 with only 2 trips to the dealer. I could not even tell you why I was there. That was a good truck... I feel that Quality was sacraficed in the new GM styling.... I also never had complaints of creaks in my older style pickup.... I do not think you would be happy with a new style GM truck....

I think the new style is fine. Next time around, I'll look at all 3.
That's how I buy trucks now.

I used to buy ford only, never giving much thought to other brands. After the 6L debacle from '03-'07 and learning more about why the competiton was a better choice for me, I chose to open my eyes and drop the brand loyalty to Ford.

IMO, you haven't owned a truck long enough to know whether it's any good or not. I'd say a minimum of 100K is needed before a few rattles or broken plastic determines a truck is "junk".

My last Ford Superduty needed 2 transmission rebuilds, 2 sets of ball joints, injector wiring harness repaired all under 80,000 miles, but after I crossed ~110,000 miles, I still thought it was an average truck. I probably spent $8,000 in out of pocket repairs, but I didn't think it was "junk".

 

[nmu98]

I think the new style is fine. Next time around, I'll look at all 3.
That's how I buy trucks now.

I used to buy ford only, never giving much thought to other brands. After the 6L debacle from '03-'07 and learning more about why the competiton was a better choice for me, I chose to open my eyes and drop the brand loyalty to Ford.

IMO, you haven't owned a truck long enough to know whether it's any good or not. I'd say a minimum of 100K is needed before a few rattles or broken plastic determines a truck is "junk".

My last Ford Superduty needed 2 transmission rebuilds, 2 sets of ball joints, injector wiring harness repaired all under 80,000 miles, but after I crossed ~110,000 miles, I still thought it was an average truck. I probably spent $8,000 in out of pocket repairs, but I didn't think it was "junk".

When stuff starts falling off the truck at 30K, I think its junk. There are others in this thread witht he same issues. I will own it to 100K, at least i hope, and I bet I will tell you the same after 100k, but probably in a more firm tone. The new style GM trucks may have a good engine and tranny, (the engines have issues in cold weater!) but the rest of the truck (for the most part) is junk.

A company cannot build a product that cannot keep itself together for 30K and stay in business without going bankrupt....

 

[Builder]

When stuff starts falling off the truck at 30K, I think its junk. There are others in this thread witht he same issues. I will own it to 100K, at least i hope, and I bet I will tell you the same after 100k, but probably in a more firm tone. The new style GM trucks may have a good engine and tranny, (the engines have issues in cold weater!) but the rest of the truck (for the most part) is junk.

A company cannot build a product that cannot keep itself together for 30K and stay in business without going bankrupt....

I really don't see what has changed except the vast improvements made in the HD line for the last 10 years.

I'd doubt GMC and Chevy would sell more trucks than Ford or any other manufacturer almost every year if they were "junk" as you call them.

IMO, you're overly picky. I hope I don't get banned for calling someone "picky", but that's what I believe. IIRC, you were constantly complaining about your Ford before this, too. You've switched car/truck brands at least 3 times since I've known you. If your '03HD was so great (as you say it was) then why did you get rid of it?

My advice: I'd say sell it and get rid of your problems. It's not all about money, it's about having a nice life. If you think switching to a new Ford is going make you happier, then I would do it. It must be bugging you because you mention your unhappiness with your HD in almost all your posts here.

Maybe you'll have better luck with Ford. I know in my last few fords, I had my share of expensive issues.

 

[L-ENTERPRISES]

Bri & Duke ...... :lol:

Bri your mom still work for GM ?

 

[nmu98]

Broker?

My mother passed away in 2006........Cancer........


On a lighter note, my truck is still not fixed. They found some more issues with the factory instalation of my front fender. They need to order mroe parts that were weither not installed at the fatory, or they fell off. Either way, I asked that they not give me back the truck until the squeak from the body flex was gone. Currently, they think they can get the parts on Friday to complete the job.

 

[L-ENTERPRISES]

Broker?

My mother passed away in 2006........Cancer........


On a lighter note, my truck is still not fixed. They found some more issues with the factory instalation of my front fender. They need to order mroe parts that were weither not installed at the fatory, or they fell off. Either way, I asked that they not give me back the truck until the squeak from the body flex was gone. Currently, they think they can get the parts on Friday to complete the job.

Yes ..... Hope everything is well with you and your family .

Sorry to hear about your Mom .

I'd give'em time to get it right .... What year truck is it and is it the new body style ?

 

[Builder]

My dad's battling for his life right now. I can't believe how long he has hung in there. He's been really sick since '05.

It sounds like NMU has had too many problems to ever like his GM again. That's why I suggest he switches back to ford again or gives dodge, nissan, toyoya a try. I know how he feels. I've had a few vehicles like that.

I thought L-Enterprises was Tom (Broker)!!!!!! I could tell when he ripped me for switching to GM and the other clue was when he said "big box concrete". I do "small box concrete". lol

 

[nmu98]

Yes ..... Hope everything is well with you and your family .

Sorry to hear about your Mom .

I'd give'em time to get it right .... What year truck is it and is it the new body style ?

Thank you.

Its an 08 GMC with 30K on it....

My dad's battling for his life right now. I can't believe how long he has hung in there. He's been really sick since '05.

It sounds like NMU has had too many problems to ever like his GM again. That's why I suggest he switches back to ford again or gives dodge, nissan, toyoya a try. I know how he feels. I've had a few vehicles like that.

I thought L-Enterprises was Tom (Broker)!!!!!! I could tell when he ripped me for switching to GM and the other clue was when he said "big box concrete". I do "small box concrete". lol

I will say a prayer for your father and your family. Its not fun times. It still gets to me... My mother was so young. She is out of pain now.

I have to like my GMC. I will not spend the cash to trade for anything right now. Its just not worth throwing that kind of money around. Its a waste.

I was happy to get a good mechanic this time who seems to be looking farther into the problem than just fixing the obvious and sending me out the door. I hope this takes care of it, or they will get it back until its fixed properly. I just don't want to deal with a friday built truck on my own dime....