Big trouble with new Diesel.

[davygp38]

I had just posted a few weeks ago about the 2007 Chevy 3500 Duramax Diesel truck I bought, and I am now having big problems. When I bought the truck I also purchased a 4 year 45 thousand mile bumper, to bumper warranty. After paying for the truck, I drove it over to the local truck center to have a flatbed, with a gooseneck hitch installed.
About three days after I took possession, I get a call from the salesman telling me there was a problem with the warranty, and I might not be able to get it, because the company thinks it will be used commercially, which it will not be. I told him that I did not feel comfortable not having the warranty. he said he was appealing to the company and he was pretty sure he could get it for me. Guess what happened when I got the truck back from the body installer? Yup...big puddle of oil under the truck. As I am standing there looking at the puddle I hear a poof, and there is the rear shock gushing oil all over the driveway. I climb under the truck, and I have oil all over the skid plate, and all the tranny cooler lines are wet. I call the dealer, and bring it over. As I am driving it over on the interstate it starts to shake violently when I get over 55. It also needs an alignment, which I new before all this, and the dealer had sent me a check for. As of Wednesday, they were replacing an Axel seal, all the cover gaskets on the tranny all the tranny cooler lines, and the rear shock. They still could not figure out what was causing the vibration, at 55, and did not have a date for completion. I called the salesman today, to remind him that now more than ever, there was no way i was taking this truck without a warranty. I told him I was willing to start over, on a different truck. He says to me " thats a problem," because the truck is in your name, and we can't take it back until you have the Tittle to give to us. I need all the advice, I can get on how to handle this. I live in New York State, so the lemon laws are good, but I feel like they reneged on the deal by not getting me the warranty, and no matter what, the deal was off the minute it did not go through. I need all the advice I can get. Let her rip.

 

[timswi]

Not sure, but I don't think lemon laws apply to used vehicles...Could be wrong though.

Did you buy this from a new car dealer, or a used car lot?

The vibration could be anything from a bent drive shaft to a wheel out of balance.

The oil leak, who knows. This dealer sounds shifty to me.

 

[Wolfy]

You know what is sad, people say "Stay away from old diesels". Well I have several, they run good, good on fuel. They start just as well as old gasoline burners, aside from carburator issues....well now the U.S. has turned that around. Fuel injection has done wonders for the gasoline world, meanwhile, in general, the new diesels are pieces of s--t. They work too hard so everyone can beat the Mustang at the red light, or pulling a backhoe when they should be in a real dump truck. As the engines are running way too hot to meet emissions. Maybe if one of the big three were to offer a Japanese diesel, reliability lost after 2002 would return. Otherwise, when I buy my next pickup, it is going to be a V-10. Yeah they are thirsty, but I never hear many complaints, even oil changes are far cheaper than the diesels. Enoughs a enough. (to the original poster, I hope you can get away from that nightmare,)

 

[JasG]

In NY the lemon law does apply to used.

Used Car Lemon Law Fact Sheet - The New York State Attorney General

 

[sldva00]

If you bought the extended warranty, shouldn't it say that on the receipt or purchase order. You have a signed paper that states they sold it to you. You should be covered.

 

[timswi]

In NY the lemon law does apply to used.

Used Car Lemon Law Fact Sheet - The New York State Attorney General

That's good to know..Not sure if that applies in my neck of the woods these days. Didn't in the past. Fortunately, I haven't had cause to find out.

Sounds like the OP has a case though. Haven't heard of a purchased warranty being rescended after the vehicle sale. The whole commercial/consumer use thing is settled at the signing generally. That's what makes me wonder about the dealer.

 

[crazyal]

Unless they do things different in NY than any other state I've bought a car in that story is a load. When someone goes in to buy a car and trade their car in that has a loan on it the dealer has you sign a contract stating that you will send them the title (they hold onto the car). It's done all the time.

 

[mjncad]

How many miles are on this truck?

 

[sandman2234]

I can just imagine what I would have to say to that car dealership, when I pulled in to give them THEIR truck back. If the deal changes, it has to be with all parties approval, not just theirs. Take it back and park it on their lot and tell them to shove it until the warranty comes thru. It isn't about the lemon law, it is about them changing the deal after the fact, and that is just low down snake belly salesmanship.
David from jax

 

[Turbys_1700]

Just a few thoughts...
The vibration could be from an out of balance drive shaft...
I've been real fortunate to not have this issue with any of my vehicles but know of others that have...
Other possibilities are a bad or out of balance tire and possible but not as probable a warped wheel assembly...
The repairs to your truck don't seem to be too bad...
An axle seal is no big deal and it appears that the tyranny cooler lines were defective...
You big issue is that the dealer does not have your warranty verified after your purchase...
I would keep telling the dealer that your purchase was predicated on the warranty and that they must honor it or the deal is null and void...
If they are reputable and want your repeat business they will work it out with you...
If not they will give you the run around...
Fortunately for you, evidently, NY has lemon laws for used vehicles...
This would be the nuclear option when all other attempts for resolution have failed...

 

[RoyJackson]

If the warranty was part of the original contract (truck and warranty on the same paper), you'll probably be OK.
If the warranty was separate purchase...well, you might have a problem.

I think this is going to depend on how forceful you are and how well that dealership stands behind their product.

Good luck!!

 

[davygp38]

Thanks for all the replies. The truck only has 56k miles on it. It is covered under the lemon law. I realize that the repairs to the tranny covers etc are not that bad, however, it makes me more worried about the warranty. The thing that bugs me, is that we had a deal on that warranty at the time of the sale. I walked out of there with no hint that there was going to be a problem with that. It was not until at least three days later that he called to tell me there was a problem. By this point, I had already had a new flat bed installed. Now they are telling me " we will be here for you," but we can't do anything until you get the tittle back. I will not be taking the truck back until it has the warranty.
P.S. They took the money for the warranty, it is not like they have given it back.

 

[tlbuser]

Thanks for all the replies. The truck only has 56k miles on it. It is covered under the lemon law. I realize that the repairs to the tranny covers etc are not that bad, however, it makes me more worried about the warranty. The thing that bugs me, is that we had a deal on that warranty at the time of the sale. I walked out of there with no hint that there was going to be a problem with that. It was not until at least three days later that he called to tell me there was a problem. By this point, I had already had a new flat bed installed. Now they are telling me " we will be here for you," but we can't do anything until you get the tittle back. I will not be taking the truck back until it has the warranty.
P.S. They took the money for the warranty, it is not like they have given it back.

I would skip the sales people and talk directly with the dealers GM. Everyone has to remember that a contract is only binding when all parties involved uphold their end of the agreement.

I know that NY's Attorney Generals office is very helpful settling disputes between car dealers and buyers. One of my aunts purchased a demo vehicle with issues the Lexus dealer tried to disclaim and she ended up with a full refund.

 

[mojoinco]

1. Look at the warranty fine print. Likely a loophole for the underwriter in there (something like the warranty is pending for a period while they accept the contract from the selling agent).

2. You can buy a warranty on line. Save yourself a bunch of commission money. Also check with your insurance agent. They may have something interesting to add. Check with your homeowners insurance agent too. All presumes they refund your money.

3. (Not to OP) Duramax is an Isuzu engine. Japanese. Though I believe largely made in the US. At least the truck was probably made in the US (couldn't find that in any 3/4+ ton Dodge's though).

 

[Jimbrown]

Well as I read this he took the bed off and had a flatbed/stake bed added.

I bet they droped the drive shaft doing that and no telling what else.


i ain't so sure the selling dealer is at fault here.

 

[Wolfy]

Mojoinco, I buy Fords. The newest diesel I had was a 02, 7.3L. It was a great engine. I also have several Japanese tractors. They run mint. I did not know that the Duramax was Japanese. But most diesel owners I know, who have the most issues ( of 3-4 year old trucks) are GMC/Chevy owners. I wasn't intending on starting a brand war. It just seems like new diesels in general, have more than their share of problems. And its not limited to only pickups. The large inline 6 cylinder truck engines are no better.

 

[crbr]

2007 Chevy 3500 Duramax Diesel

Which engine model? 2007 had two different engines.

The vibe could be a carrier bearing depending on how the drive shaft is set up (1-piece or 2-piece).

Look on a truck forum for more info if you choose a forum format for resolution.

Diesel Page is for GM products.

 

[davygp38]

Well as I read this he took the bed off and had a flatbed/stake bed added.

I bet they dropped the drive shaft doing that and no telling what else.


i ain't so sure the selling dealer is at fault here.

I bought the truck as a cab and chassis no bed on it. Although it is possible that something might have happened at the body installers shop. Even if there was no problem with the truck, we had a deal on the warranty. There was no mention of a waiting period on the warranty, in fact he had me go out and verify the mileage with him, because that was the effective mileage of the warranty.

 

[Ken]

I have no facts to back-up this. But go to a Cattle sale barn and count the Chev. Duromax trucks. Will not need more than one hand.
Talk to the drivers of these in the parking lot. injectors,carrier bearings,loose wheel lug nuts. then the rear ends coming apart as drivers are traveling down the road. Then ask them of the warrenty insurance coverage. dismal.
Not mashing Chev. trucks but the gas seem O'k it is the problems of long distance drivers are having with Diesel.
Just what do you do when a load of cows are sitting beside the road awaiting for a tow truck. Knowing the load is going to be carried by some one else and they will get the money.
ken

 

[crbr]

Light duty trucks with heavier duty expectations. This is an age old issue.