My Story About GM Quality

[nsap]

My Story About GM Quality


I’m more often than not an advocate for General Motors and their (now obvious) pursuit to transform their products into the greatness that many of us have known they are capable of for years. However this latest experience with GM product is having me, for the first time, question whether or not GM is still instating these virtues they keep preaching about. Fortunately for GM, I’m a realist. I know bad products happen and I think that is what is sitting in my garage at the moment.

This 2005 Equinox LT FWD entered our garage in March 2005. It was built that same month, which was a request by myself because I did not want an early-build Equinox due to bugs. Nonetheless the build-date of this particular ‘Nox pleased me, so it came home. Not long after that, May to be exact, the Equinox headed up to the dealership because the center console armrest was peeling something fierce. They ordered a new lid for it and that settled that.

July, August and September were fuel economy months for the ‘Nox. I had been getting 8 to 13 miles-per-gallon on mixed driving, so it went to the dealership three times over those three months for that. I then take it upon myself to figure out what the problem is, so after a little research I find that there was actually a technical service bulletin (TSB) out to recalibrate the odometer because it is inaccurate at low speeds. HA! There is the fix! So I have the dealership do that to the ’Nox. While we were at it they also replaced the radio head unit due to the paint chipping off of the buttons (that were rarely ever touched mind you). They also had to tighten the shifter knob, as it was floppy and loose. This all with 2,300 miles on it. Gas mileage numbers were better after the TSB (odometer was about .3 off per mile when driving 35 MPH or lower), but to this day I have only once gotten reasonable gas mileage.

The new year rolls around with no visits to the dealership until July! The antenna base (located on the front quarter panel) was so loose that driving down the highway the whole base would move about an inch fore and aft. I was concerned that it would get torn off (scratching the whole panel), so I took it up and they replaced the whole base. I now understand why they moved the antenna on the 2007 models. Then in December it went up because the drivers seat was squeaking every time you would just slightly move, it didn’t want to start sometimes and one of the plastic lug nut covers just randomly broke off. All was fixed except the starting problem.

This vehicle has a bad luck streak with oil changes. At the 3,000 mile oil change all was well, however the rest have not been. At the 6,000 mile oil change they discovered that the front axel was leaking, “pretty bad” too. That called for another trip to service. Then just in July of this year I took it for the 9,000 mile oil change, and they come back telling me to get it in for service ASAP because the intake manifold is leaking oil. Oh joy. So it spends a few days at the dealership over that as well.

Fast forward to this week. The Equinox is sitting in the garage and I decide to go somewhere. I get in and it doesn’t start, and all the electronics and dash lights were tweaking out. I don’t mess with it, just call Chevrolet Roadside Assistance. I push it out of the garage and let them tow it to the dealership. Come to find out it needed a battery and some fuse. Thankfully the battery was covered by the warranty.

The interesting part about this whole situation is that throughout the intake problem, I contacted Chevrolet customer service with no response to ever happen. As someone who works in customer service myself, I was very nice with them. I know being arrogant and rude gets you no where. I was able to find out that Chevrolet contacted the dealership to confirm everything I E-Mailed them about, but I never got any response of any kind. Granted, my E-Mail server was down for a short time during all of this, but I left my phone number and E-Mailed them four times.

My motive behind contacting them was; to inform them that this Equinox has issues and to see if they would at least offer me something. I thought at the BARE MINIMUM they would offer an extended warranty. Particularly when the vehicle qualifies for my state’s Lemon Laws. I guess not.

The Equinox is going up the dealership again tomorrow. The last couple of times I have washed it the driver’s side window leaks water into the inside and the rubber seal on the spoiler is cracked and will probably start to leak as well. I dread seeing what they will have to do with the window, as it doesn’t appear that there is an easy fix for it.

If it weren’t for my G6 being such a good vehicle, I would start to question GM’s “improved” quality. I know lemons happen, and I for one truly believe that I just got one of them. I am okay with that, because it could just as easily be a Toyota lemon. Lemons are not exclusive to any one brand. I just wish GM would have more concern than not responding to me and basically pretending there is nothing wrong.

NOTE: The dealership is one of the main reasons I am able to be so cavalier about having this vehicle. They are GREAT. That is one thing about GM; most of their dealership (around here anyway) have excellent customer service. GM needs to learn from them.

[mbukukanyau]

NSAP, That is indeed a good record of your misfortune. I think GM should give you another vehicle. Yours is indeed a lemon

[Hitman1970]

Great post. There are definately quality issues still floating around in the current line up. I am very happy with my 2006 Buick LaCrosse CXS after a year of ownership. It is still dead silent inside and has no issues other than what I consider to be too soft paint for the exterior.

Last week I got to drive a fleet 2007 Cobalt with 31,000 miles on it and a fleet 2008 Gran Prix with 2600 miles on it. Both vehicles were pretty well assembled except for one thing. The door insulation on both vehicle must have had a small leak because they pretty much hissed/whistled at highway speed. This drove me nuts after driving my nice quiet Buick for the past year.

It is not like door insulation is a new technology. Just poor workmanship at the plant.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by nsap

This vehicle has a bad luck streak with oil changes. At the 3,000 mile oil change all was well, however the rest have not been. At the 6,000 mile oil change they discovered that the front axel was leaking, “pretty bad” too. That called for another trip to service. Then just in July of this year I took it for the 9,000 mile oil change, and they come back telling me to get it in for service ASAP because the intake manifold is leaking oil. Oh joy. So it spends a few days at the dealership over that as well.

Whats with the 3000 mile oil changes? Didn't GM install the OLM (oil life monitor in the 'Nox?

My experience with GM quality has been very strong... Every GM car I have ever owned new since the late 70's has been rock solid. This year my 2002 STS needed a $80 steering sensor... and that's it... Last year it "needed" a $90 seat warmer element... and that's it...

I shake my head at people who "have to have" an extended warranty on GM cars because of "quality issues"..

Sure GM has had some bad designs and some engineering duds... But so has every manufacture.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

Whats with the 3000 mile oil changes? Didn't GM install the OLM (oil life monitor in the 'Nox?

My experience with GM quality has been very strong... Every GM car I have ever owned new since the late 70's has been rock solid. This year my 2002 STS needed a $80 steering sensor... and that's it... Last year it "needed" a $90 seat warmer element... and that's it...

I shake my head at people who "have to have" an extended warranty on GM cars because of "quality issues"..

Sure GM has had some bad designs and some engineering duds... But so has every manufacture.

If it has OLM, that is news to me. It does not have a driver information center (like the G6..which does have OLM). So I don't know how it could. Maybe the 2007's do (they have a DIC).

As I said, I don't think this is represenative of GM quality as a whole. Actually, I KNOW it isn't. My G6 is great, as is my parents CTS and Silverado.

I have never gotten an extended warranty. I just am surprised GM hasn't offered me one on the Equinox.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by nsap

If it has OLM, that is news to me. It does not have a driver information center (like the G6..which does have OLM). So I don't know how it could. Maybe the 2007's do (they have a DIC).

Did you read the owner's manual? I mean, Saturn IONs and VUEs have it and neither one of those has the enhanced DIC; just because it doesn't have the whole message center doesn't mean it doesn't have an OLM. It wouldn't show how much oil life remains but it has a "Change Oil Soon" indicator light. If you've never seen it then the dealer must have been pretty good about resetting it.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by cdp326

Did you read the owner's manual? I mean, Saturn IONs and VUEs have it and neither one of those has the enhanced DIC; just because it doesn't have the whole message center doesn't mean it doesn't have an OLM. It wouldn't show how much oil life remains but it has a "Change Oil Soon" indicator light. If you've never seen it then the dealer must have been pretty good about resetting it.

I have never seen an oil light come on. Regardless, I will keep up the 3,000 mile oil changes. That 3400's oil gets BLACK at about 3,000 miles.

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by nsap

If it has OLM, that is news to me. It does not have a driver information center (like the G6..which does have OLM). So I don't know how it could. Maybe the 2007's do (they have a DIC).

Check your owners manual... The Nox has had the OLM system from day one. Its a standard feature even on the base model.

To reset it do this:

1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times within five seconds. The change engine oil light will flash while the system is resetting

The OLM was designed and patented by a PhD in Automobile engineering and GM "tunes" it to each different engine and any unique oiling requirements. It is way more accurate then any of the old school oil testing techniques... Color, smell, mileage, etc...

You are probably changing your oil twice as often as it needs..

Of course you aren't doing any damage... Other then to your wallet

[nsap]

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

Check your owners manual... The Nox has had the OLM system from day one. Its a standard feature even on the base model.

To reset it do this:

1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times within five seconds. The change engine oil light will flash while the system is resetting

The OLM was designed and patented by a Phd in Automobile engineering and GM "tunes" it to each different engine and any unique oiling requirements. It is way more accurate then any of the old school oil testing techniques... Color, smell, etc...

You are probably changing your oil twice as often as it needs..

Of course you aren't doing any damage... Other then to your wallet

Eh. I'll keep at the 3,000 intervals. My driving habits are not normal (obviously if I only have 10,000 miles on a vehicle I have had for 30 months).

[likearock00]

So when are you gonna trade it out? Stop giving us the rundown on your Eqinox and tell us about whatever should be in your garage by now!!

[montrealvue]

...time to look at a Mitsubishi Outlander.... .

[steverino]

Originally Posted by nsap

I have never seen an oil light come on. Regardless, I will keep up the 3,000 mile oil changes. That 3400's oil gets BLACK at about 3,000 miles.

I think you are wasting your money. On The last several cars I've had the OLM seems to come on at 7,500 miles. So I think it might be safe to assume you can change your oil & filter at the 7,000 mile mark and save enough moola for a weeks worth of lattes at starbucks

But then again based on the problems you are having with the 'nox' I wouldn't take any chances pushing the oil changes

[2002 Caddy]

BTW the OLM considers your driving habits too.

As I posted this tool was designed by a PhD and takes in all kinds of inputs from your engine... Mostly it uses RPM, Load and operating temperature. It also considers short trips versus highway miles etc. etc. Don't feel like you are pushing anything following its recommendation... There is a ton of room in its calculations.

My Northstar will go over 8000 miles between changes with no issues.

Read the section in your owners manual about it... Its all explained there.. Use it, it works.

It will save you money and two or three dealer visits a year.

The "3000 mile oil change" is as old school as white walls and fake wire wheel hub caps.

[F14CRAZY]

NSAP has been pretty good the whole time, it seems. He hasn't cussed up a storm toward Chevy or the dealer and still has the Nox

[kool_zx3]

I wonder if your dealer could fix my buddy's ss supercharged cobalt, been in the shop a month for a #2 cylinder misfire.... Tried everything and still no fix, suppose to try valve springs on tuesday from what they say.

Sucks to hear about the nox though, thank god the dealer is great..... I think my buddy though is having second thoughts on his cobalt and buying another GM vehicle from the poor quality and crappy dealer service he has gotten the last month.....