Racer's Lounge - GM Warranty - Venting

My left inner rear brake pad detached from it's backing on Sunday, causing a loss of pressure (and therefore braking power) throughout the brake system in my 2009 Cobalt SS (@ about 18350 miles). I inspected the entire vehicle's braking system less than a week before this occurrence (@ about 17850 miles), and everything was within normal limits and wearing properly. It was going to be at least another 10k miles before any of the brakes needed attention.

I was denied a repair under warranty by my local dealership, after a very brief inspection. Even their own mechanic, their best mechanic, agreed that it was a warranty issue, but was afraid to get in trouble for doing so.

So after appealing to corporate GM, again I was denied.

Thanks for s***ing on the little guy GM. I appreciate that. Oh, and thank you for treating me like an idiot. It was obvious that this was a repair that should be covered under warranty, but because I could not prove without a shred of doubt that it was a sudden failure, I was denied coverage. Furthermore, this is a serious safety issue. Sudden brake failure on a car that is only 6 months old, with less than 20k miles is not something to take lightly, but according to GM, it's "routine maintenance" or "regular wear and tear".

It's not like I bought the vehicle in May of 2009 to help bail GM out in their time of need. And it's not like this is my fifth Chevrolet out of the 6 cars I've owned. It's not like I've done them any favors. I guess good service is not part of their commitment to good customers.

I bought an American car, to help an American company, when everyone is selling out our country to Japan and China. While I still don't agree with doing so... I'll seriously consider my next vehicle purchase being a Honda. :(

It sucks but they usually dont cover a whole lot on brakes, especially with almost 20k miles on them.

BTW why are you keeping the TC stock? Get a tune at least, you will love the car even more.

They have a shitty service manager, you are allowed one brake claim under warranty because it is a wear item. A reputable dealer with a good track record can easily get that warrantied.

Jesus, what is this, 1953? When you buy an "American" car you guys realize that probably 90% of it's parts are made overseas, right? Yeah, let's keep the mullett stereotype going, guys...

Any time a car company can get out of doing something by saying it was normal wear and tear, they will. In this economy they're not going to shell out cash to fix something that has a slim chance of being wear and tear.

Jesus, what is this, 1953? When you buy an "American" car you guys realize that probably 90% of it's parts are made overseas, right? Yeah, let's keep the mullett stereotype going, guys...

Still put together by American workers... providing jobs here. I'm not right wing, or left wing, or anything else, and I certainly don't have a mullet... I just understand that, right now, Americans need jobs, and American companies need sales to help pull us out of this slump.

It sucks but they usually dont cover a whole lot on brakes, especially with almost 20k miles on them.

BTW why are you keeping the TC stock? Get a tune at least, you will love the car even more.

The cobalt is staying stock because it's my DD, and I definitely don't want to do anything to void the warranty. I'm looking at the GM LNF turbo upgrade for it... but that's all I'll do, if anything.

where are you located? They are denying claims all the time. i know of someone who blew 3 engines and got a good lemon law attorney on it, the judge ordered GM to fix it and they had to pay the $2500 attorney fee and put a new $6k engine in the car

I guess now you realize WHY gm is failing lol. Theyre piss poor customer service is the utter shit. Which.. is why I will never buy a gm car unless its a vette, from someone else with no warranty shit. fuck gm

So, let me understand this: You're pissing and moaning over a brake pad? Christ! Go down to the local Vatozone and get yourself a new set. $19.99.

Now, if the rotor got damaged, or something else broke related to the brake failure, then that's something else. But, you didn't mention it, so I'll assume everything was fine.

Jesus, what is this, 1953? When you buy an "American" car you guys realize that probably 90% of it's parts are made overseas, right? Yeah, let's keep the mullett stereotype going, guys...

And it's think like that why this country s in such s&*% and every manufacturing job is in another country. It's nutless, non-Patriotic guys like you who let it slip away. Buy American and buy stuff made in America. Most American GM cars are made in America or Canada. It's an American owned company so the money stays in America. I live 25 minutes from a Toyota plant that is starting to through it's employees under the bus since they are down, and if you buy a truck from them, most of that money goes back to a Japanese company.

I'm all for the American economy,

but I'm definitely 100% on the side of FUCK GM.

I'll support other American companies that treat Americans a bit better. There are many.

I'm a hardcore Firebird enthusiast and I always will be.

But no one should have to be an enthusiast of their shitty customer service lest he/she be deemed unpatriotic... That's borderline cult-like, not patriotic.

Especially with my GM experiences when my Firebirds were new, I will NEVER buy another GM product ever again... Unless it's another F-body. IMO

This doesnt happen all the time and it is really up to the dealer. My dad had an 01 Ram Cummins he bought used, private party in 06 and had the computer go out. He took it to the dealership and the computer was over $1000. They said "well let me see what we can do", the next day the told him to come pick it up, free of charge. They got it covered under a warranty. So businessess know how to take care of customers.

You've got 20k miles on your car; I am not surprised with their decision.

If the pad FELL APART then they should of warrantied it with no questions asked.

[QUOTE=fccs;12466709]I guess now you realize WHY gm is failing lol. Theyre piss poor customer service is the utter shit. Which.. is why I will never buy a gm car unless its a vette, from someone else with no warranty shit. fuck gm[/QUOTE:guns: :read:

Do you want a new or used Vette? - I've got an 05 T-Top 6 speed Blue with about 19 K. An fuck you by the way too. I worked for GM - got one of those GM rings for OUTSTANDING sales. Wife drives GM - I drive a Mazda 6 Wagon. It's for the dog. 61k third set of tires first set of brakes. I don't stop much just drive like hell.:cool:

These are facts: Brakes are wearing parts, which aren't covered in ANY WARRANTY. Could GM have fix it, YES. The old GM might have. The new GM which everyone ownes over 60% of, No. The folks running GM don't know cars, don't care about customers, will be doing something else in five years. Because GM will be gone. But have anice day!!

No, sorry brake pads are considered wear items.

Slowbought owner. Outside of the brake pad issue do you like your car?:eek2:

all they have to do is a h route to there rep to get it covered

These are facts: Brakes are wearing parts, which aren't covered in ANY WARRANTY. Could GM have fix it, YES. The old GM might have. The new GM which everyone ownes over 60% of, No. The folks running GM don't know cars, don't care about customers, will be doing something else in five years. Because GM will be gone. But have anice day!!

No, sorry brake pads are considered wear items.

Slowbought owner. Outside of the brake pad issue do you like your car?:eek2:

I completely understand that "wear and tear" is not covered, I'm aggrivated because it wasn't wear and tear, it was a failure, and a dangerous one at that.

Aside from that it's mostly been a great car. When I bought it, the Onstar/Bluetooth didn't work... gues they forgot to hook up a wire at the factory. That got fixed the same day I took delivery. Then a couple days later, an SES light popped up, and it turned out to be bad 02 sensor wiring. After that was fixed, it hasn't seen a shop except for oil changes.

Great power for a 4 banger. The Continental tires that came on it were junk, but I've already gotten rid of those. Handling and braking are where this car shines, but it's still pretty quick once it builds up to full boost (19-20 psi), which is usually in 3rd or 4th gear. It'll only build up to about 15 psi in first, 17 in second.

Nothing like the Camaro SS, but it could probably hold it's ground if both were stock, and it would leave the Camaro in the corners.

The seats are great, although I wish they were power, and the usb port in the factory stereo (that is fully ipod compatible) is a great touch. The back seat is tiny, but I'm already used to the Camaro, so that's no biggie.

My only complaints... the direct injection is noisy, and kinda makes it sound like a 20 yo Mazda. GM has a noise reducer for this (that they would install under warranty), but I haven't felt like putting it in the shop for it yet.The engine also has a considerable amount of vibration at idle, apparently due to the direct injection pump. The intercooler is mounted in a horrible location, and could easily be taken out by parking to close to a curb, or even running over a small animal. The clutch is very touchy (meaning the girlfriend cannot drive it, which is good and bad). The TCS isn't very sensitive at all. It spins a lot even with the system engaged (and yes, that LNF can easily spin through 2nd gear).

I'd buy it all over again.

[QUOTE=fccs;12466709]These are facts: Brakes are wearing parts, which aren't covered in ANY WARRANTY. Could GM have fix it, YES. The old GM might have. The new GM which everyone ownes over 60% of, No. The folks running GM don't know cars, don't care about customers, will be doing something else in five years. Because GM will be gone. But have anice day!!

No, sorry brake pads are considered wear items.

Slowbought owner. Outside of the brake pad issue do you like your car?:eek2:

They are wearing parts but an outright failure of the pad materail coming off the backing is FAILURE, not wear and tear. It should of been warrantied because if a disc had failed and broke in two, it would of been repaired.

[QUOTE=J-R10-5;12470883]

They are wearing parts but an outright failure of the pad materail coming off the backing is FAILURE, not wear and tear. It should of been warrantied because if a disc had failed and broke in two, it would of been repaired.


You're right - You're 100% right. :read: Had this guy bought from me - we might have covered it because I sold it - and the dealer cares.

GM buys parts from the lowest bidder in Most cases. Lordstown where most of these cars are built always has labor issues. Perhaps someone noticed this on the line. He can't stop that line - we need production #'s. The whole rear end came in as an assembly. That contractor got paid for SHIPPED UNITS. Perhaps some outfit paying less than $10.00 per hr.

Toyota and Lexis recently had an issue. Floor mats bunching up under the gas. Even killed people. Every mfg. has issues....... Have you ever seen any dealership without a service department?:hail:

:corn: I'll be waiting for an answer - thanks

First car I ever wrenched: 1934 Ford 3 window - Blown Cadillac - La Salle tranny Ford rear. :cool:

[QUOTE=bballr4567;12471308]


You're right - You're 100% right. :read: Had this guy bought from me - we might have covered it because I sold it - and the dealer cares.

GM buys parts from the lowest bidder in Most cases. Lordstown where most of these cars are built always has labor issues. Perhaps someone noticed this on the line. He can't stop that line - we need production #'s. The whole rear end came in as an assembly. That contractor got paid for SHIPPED UNITS. Perhaps some outfit paying less than $10.00 per hr.

Toyota and Lexis recently had an issue. Floor mats bunching up under the gas. Even killed people. Every mfg. has issues....... Have you ever seen any dealership without a service department?:hail:

:corn: I'll be waiting for an answer - thanks

First car I ever wrenched: 1934 Ford 3 window - Blown Cadillac - La Salle tranny Ford rear. :cool:


are you jakes dad?

Are the quotes are messed up?? :lol:

there is a 12 month 12,000 miles warranty on gm parts brake pads or not. your car had almost 20k on it and your bitching about it not being covered under warranty? it's a wear item. If they start giving stuff away like this they are opening up the flood gates. All these guys saying "if they were a good dealership they'd do it for you" are full of crap. you can't make any money giving stuff away to every person who bitches.

My left inner rear brake pad detached from it's backing on Sunday, causing a loss of pressure (and therefore braking power) throughout the brake system in my 2009 Cobalt SS (@ about 18350 miles). I inspected the entire vehicle's braking system less than a week before this occurrence (@ about 17850 miles), and everything was within normal limits and wearing properly. It was going to be at least another 10k miles before any of the brakes needed attention.

I was denied a repair under warranty by my local dealership, after a very brief inspection. Even their own mechanic, their best mechanic, agreed that it was a warranty issue, but was afraid to get in trouble for doing so.

So after appealing to corporate GM, again I was denied.

Thanks for s***ing on the little guy GM. I appreciate that. Oh, and thank you for treating me like an idiot. It was obvious that this was a repair that should be covered under warranty, but because I could not prove without a shred of doubt that it was a sudden failure, I was denied coverage. Furthermore, this is a serious safety issue. Sudden brake failure on a car that is only 6 months old, with less than 20k miles is not something to take lightly, but according to GM, it's "routine maintenance" or "regular wear and tear".

It's not like I bought the vehicle in May of 2009 to help bail GM out in their time of need. And it's not like this is my fifth Chevrolet out of the 6 cars I've owned. It's not like I've done them any favors. I guess good service is not part of their commitment to good customers.

I bought an American car, to help an American company, when everyone is selling out our country to Japan and China. While I still don't agree with doing so... I'll seriously consider my next vehicle purchase being a Honda. :(

well i feel for ya,

but gm contracts 99.999999999% of everything to overseas so they can "save" money and "create" more profit

thats corporate america for ya, ford and chevy dont care about recalls, they think thats just part of business

toyota or honda on the other hand have huge mis-fits if there is a recall, its like the entire corporation is put on a global red light nuclear hold down...... they are so paranoid about perfection they freak if a recall ever happens, needless to say buying a honda or toyota you would probably benefit the american working man more than you would buying a chevy or ford

did you know more harley davidson motorcycles and parts are made overseas then honda motorcycles and parts are??? yes, more honda motorcycles and motorcycle parts are made here in the U.S. then harley, more harley's are made overseas then honda

same thing is happening with chevy and ford, so i would support the vehicles that have a reputation for making more reliable, more dependable and safer vehicles ....... toyota, honda

look up how much money is spent by honda on research and development compared to harley..... or honda vs chevy...... honda and toyota beats "american" 10 to 1 and their reputation and track record show it

also i hope you get your brake issue fixed and in this economic time i hope you fix it cheap......

but in another way you are helping america, by owning a ford or chevy you keep shops and mechanics in business..... sorry about the joke, i had to..... but good luck seriously

That should have been covered. It failed, wasn't just worn friction material. Ive replaced pads AND rotors under warranty many times above 30k, however I work on Subaru's. If it wasn't under warranty, the dealer should have covered it especially if you bought the car there.

If your customer appreciates you and your service department, they will come back. You help them, they help you.

Obviously there's a percentage of people that just want shit for free, same with any business, it is what it is. Do what they want if its reasonable and get them the fuck out.

there is a 12 month 12,000 miles warranty on gm parts brake pads or not. your car had almost 20k on it and your bitching about it not being covered under warranty? it's a wear item. If they start giving stuff away like this they are opening up the flood gates. All these guys saying "if they were a good dealership they'd do it for you" are full of crap. you can't make any money giving stuff away to every person who bitches.

Brake pad FAILURE is not a wear problem. The actual pad material separated from the pad backing.

Brake pad FAILURE is not a wear problem. The actual pad material separated from the pad backing.

Thank you! People seem to be missing this point.

If my pads had worn out, you wouldn't be seeing this post. I would have bought new pads and put them on and never cared at all. Lifetime warranty pads are a life saver when you drive as many miles as I do. I guarantee O'rielly's lost money on the brake pads for my now 235k mile old Camaro... haha

Fact is... (on the rear of the car) I had 3 pads with 10k miles or better left on them, and one pad that was metal to metal. A week before the failure, all 4 of them were fine.

I've gone a head and bought the lifetime pads anyways, since GM isn't gonna do anything for me. But instead of just buying pads, I had to have the rotor turned. Not a big expense, I know.. but the amount of money isn't what I'm complaining about. If I couldn't afford to buy some brakes, probably shouldn't have bought a new car.

Point is, I have to buy parts, and perform or pay for labor because a part failed on my vehicle. A part failed on my vehicle at 18k miles, when the vehicle has a 36k mile "bumper to bumper" warranty. And I was treated like an a**hole when I went to the dealer. I was treated like I didn't know what I was talking about by a service manager who, upon inspecting my failed pad... said "oh... that still has plenty of life left, I don't see any problem here". It was metal to metal, had to point that out.

This is just bad customer service... well, beyond bad. And the fact that GM will do nothing shows the attitude of the company towards it's customers.

[QUOTE=J-R10-5;12471582]


are you jakes dad?


Man I never thought about that but you're right. Looks like his senseless babeling and idiotic use of smilies.

Jesus, what is this, 1953? When you buy an "American" car you guys realize that probably 90% of it's parts are made overseas, right? Yeah, let's keep the mullett stereotype going, guys...

+1


Also just go to a different dealer. I lucked out because i knew the service manager of my local GM dealer real well and he replaced $6000 worth of components and other important stuff before my car was shippped overseas.
However this is just blatant warranty deny ing

What a cheap dealership. Seriously, how much of a loss is it for them to replace a brake pad? Just silly to treat a loyal customer that way.

Jesus, what is this, 1953? When you buy an "American" car you guys realize that probably 90% of it's parts are made overseas, right? Yeah, let's keep the mullett stereotype going, guys...

Hey dumbass, it's still an american car!!!!! GM is an american company! So I guess your saying HONDA, Mitsh-shitty, TOYOTA, ect... are american because a few of the f**kin parts from all of them are made in china?????

I'm all for the American economy,

but I'm definitely 100% on the side of FUCK GM.

I'll support other American companies that treat Americans a bit better. There are many.

I'm a hardcore Firebird enthusiast and I always will be.

But no one should have to be an enthusiast of their shitty customer service lest he/she be deemed unpatriotic... That's borderline cult-like, not patriotic.

Especially with my GM experiences when my Firebirds were new, I will NEVER buy another GM product ever again... Unless it's another F-body. IMO

GM Treats me great!!!! 60K on the clock and they have already replaced the trans and bottom end thanks to nitrous!!!!! Oh yeah and I also left the kit in the truck when I took it in for repair!!!:)

Young chevrolet
dallas,tx

2143289111

ftw!!!!!!

Young chevrolet
dallas,tx

2143289111

ftw!!!!!!

I'll keep that in mind next time... but I already handled this one myself. Plus... that's a 2 hour drive for me.

Here is your next problem. You said its an 09, 6 months old, and has almost 20k miles on it. With that much mileage in that short of time it could be considered an extreme or advanced duty vehicle. Most of the time on an extreme duty maintence schedule regular brake service is required, and if its not done then they can and usually will deny your claim. If i had been the advisor though i would have sympathized with you and submitted the ticket to my service manager with a reccomendation of a compromise. You always replace brake pads in pairs. I would of offered that the dealer pays to fix the side that failed as long as you agreed to buy the other side and a brake flush. Theres tons of things that could have been done but were not by THAT dealer. I know GM as a whole is going down the shitter but dont condemn every GM employee and dealership because you got ahold of a bunch of assholes.

there is a 12 month 12,000 miles warranty on gm parts brake pads or not. your car had almost 20k on it and your bitching about it not being covered under warranty? it's a wear item. If they start giving stuff away like this they are opening up the flood gates. All these guys saying "if they were a good dealership they'd do it for you" are full of crap. you can't make any money giving stuff away to every person who bitches.

Tell that to marc heitz chevrolet in norman, ok. I gave tons of stuff away just to make a customer happy or keep a customer happy. Sometimes you have to give a little in order to recieve return business. Their motto was the customers always right even if they arent. Which in turn i found out meant the customer is right even if they are a complete f**king tool.

Tell that to marc heitz chevrolet in norman, ok. I gave tons of stuff away just to make a customer happy or keep a customer happy. Sometimes you have to give a little in order to recieve return business. Their motto was the customers always right even if they arent. Which in turn i found out meant the customer is right even if they are a complete f**king tool.

I agree with you,
by making a customer happy now, can go a long way toward insuring that you
get their future business. This doesn't just apply to auto business, but to all types of businesses. If you don't care about your customer, why should they
give a shit about you and doing business with you. But if you show that you do care about them and take their concerns seriously, more often then not, you will get the repeat business.

just my $.02

Ross Perot
"Business is not just doing deals; business is having great products, doing great engineering, and providing tremendous service to customers. Finally, business is a cobweb of human relationships."

well you should have bought a toyota! :lol:


no seriously, how bout a nice honda or something

did you know more harley davidson motorcycles and parts are made overseas then honda motorcycles and parts are??? yes, more honda motorcycles and motorcycle parts are made here in the U.S. then harley, more harley's are made overseas then honda


Where did this come from,, what source?

whats so great about a harley anyways? Most of them are in the shop more than they are on the road. id rather have a honda bike over a harley any day...but ive heard msot of ahrleys stuff is amde voerseas while honda and toyota and some others have more factories here than versus overseas

well i feel for ya,

but gm contracts 99.999999999% of everything to overseas so they can "save" money and "create" more profit

thats corporate america for ya, ford and chevy dont care about recalls, they think thats just part of business

toyota or honda on the other hand have huge mis-fits if there is a recall, its like the entire corporation is put on a global red light nuclear hold down...... they are so paranoid about perfection they freak if a recall ever happens, needless to say buying a honda or toyota you would probably benefit the american working man more than you would buying a chevy or ford

did you know more harley davidson motorcycles and parts are made overseas then honda motorcycles and parts are??? yes, more honda motorcycles and motorcycle parts are made here in the U.S. then harley, more harley's are made overseas then honda
same thing is happening with chevy and ford, so i would support the vehicles that have a reputation for making more reliable, more dependable and safer vehicles ....... toyota, honda

look up how much money is spent by honda on research and development compared to harley..... or honda vs chevy...... honda and toyota beats "american" 10 to 1 and their reputation and track record show it

also i hope you get your brake issue fixed and in this economic time i hope you fix it cheap......

but in another way you are helping america, by owning a ford or chevy you keep shops and mechanics in business..... sorry about the joke, i had to..... but good luck seriouslyOH yeah?? What Harley models are made overseas? How many Honda models are made here? I can only think of the Goldwing.