Originally Posted By: Tzu
I am ticked off right now, so forgive my emotions at the moment I write this.
I just took my '00 Impala in for the ignition recall that I signed up for in March of this year. After 3 reminders from GM that I still haven't taken it in even though I was on the list, they fast forwarded me in the waiting line (I don't know why). Basically, they just glue an insert into the key slot making an elongated opening now one with a center hole. I had only 1 original key that I gave them to fix, and ordered 2 brand new dealer keys make off my VIN number. First the guy tried to make a new key off the old, well worn one instead of using the numbers. Luckily my 72 yr old dad was with me and caught that one. He looked embarrassed and cut 2 new ones like it should have been done and they work fine. The new keys have the elongated holes like the old recalled one, so [censored] GM??? Wouldn't all those keys be scrapped in favor of the single hole one? Yeah, some recall for safety GM.
Secondly, I do 99% of my own car repairs and there was no issues with the car except a small leak in the EVAP system that I couldn't trace. Instead of just buying parts and throwing them on, I decided to have the dealer do a diagnostic and pinpoint it to a tee. $89 for the fee only to come up with it needs a new fuel pump and the entire fuel lines replaced due to rust. The car is not rusty coming from 5 years in Georgia and Carwell rust treatments every 2 years underneath since '05. I replaced the fuel pump last year with an A/C Delco in my driveway and all has been fine since a month ago and a continuous CEL. The car is averaging 27.4mpg with the light on, so it must be a small leak. Total estimate for that job is $1,200 at this dealer. I declined.
Thirdly, I the car was driving fine otherwise to the dealer 5 miles away. My dad and I were having breakfast together waiting for the car, when 10 minutes after I dropped it off, they called and said there was a major brake line leaking fluid all over the floor and the brake pedal almost bottomed out. I don't know how hard they beat on it driving it from the road to the empty bay 80' away, but now they asked me if I wanted an estimate for that "new" problem. I declined again, but I was for sure not a happy camper.
I've been screwed over by 2 different GM dealerships with the same car. A few years ago another Pontiac/GMC/Cadillac dealer charged me $110 to misdiagnose a bad transmission for a faulty MAF sensor. They quoted me $2000 to R/R transmission and in real life a new $120 MAF from car parts store fixed it fine.
I'm sorry GM that I drive a nice looking, 99% rust free 240k mile 15 year old Impala loaded LS, but if this is how you deal with potential customers, I'm staying with Toyota. In fact, my beater Camry will have to do until I can get my Chevy back on the road. Four hours ago, my car was fine. Now it's on ramps in front of my house leaking brake fluid into a bucket waiting to fix it at home. What are the odds of it "just happening" when a dealer just drove it less than 100 feet? Dealers suck!!!
What you gonna do when that Toyota dealer scrwes you? Not just a GM phenomenon.