2012 Camaro 2SS/LS3 broke - Dealer/GM will not warranty! HELP!

[3rdgen3]

Alright guys, I don't post much on here but I read and follow up on a daily basis...I'm in need of some help and I'm not sure what to do..

So here's what happened. Last Thursday night, a buddy of mine came over to my place and we decided to go out and grab a bite to eat. We took my car, a 2012 Camaro SS, LS3 6-speed manual in Ashen Grey Metalic...beautiful car!

Anyways, I make a right at a stop sign, i road out 1st gear to maybe 4k rpms and when I shifted to 2nd gear there was just a BANGG sound from the back and the car didnt go anywhere. I hoped out of the car and looked underneath and I could see the drivers side axle looked like it spun in the CV boot on the wheel side.

I used OnStar and they got in contact with GM roadside and they came and picked me up (I was literally right around the corner from my house...a 2 minute WALK, if that) and they came and picked up the car and brought it to the dealer I bought my car from.

Well, my dealer just called me now and told me that they are NOT going to warranty the part AND that they have voided my warranty..? WTF??

I have NOT made a SINGLE performance modification to my car. Not even a cold-air intake. They ONLY thing I've done to this car is remove the stock mufflers and put pipe in there place with brand new 4" exhaust tips.


Now, keep in mind, in late august/early september, I broke a passenger side rear axle. It took GM 9 days to fix it, but they fixed it...but when i got the car back from them last time, my steering wheel was crooked, my car was wondering all over the road (the alignment was way off) and there was a noticeable clunk sound coming from the rear of the car. I was so upset with the dealer after getting my car back like that, that I actually took my car to a mechanic I trust to overlook it and sure enough the alignment was out. He corrected it for me and I was on my marry way, however the clunk was always there.

Fast forward to now, and GM is telling me they won't fix it.


I paid $53k for this car, I paid for the extended warranty AND I HAVEN'T made ANY performance modifications to the car JUST so it doesn't give GM a reason to try and give me the run around if something happens, and now look.

Are the parts of these cars made of glass? I have 13,952km's on my ODO since I bought the car in June of this year...and its been a real pleasure to drive this SPORTS CAR, but I bought a SPORTS CAR, not a Cobalt or Cruze or even a Malibu (the rental they gave me). I bought a performance orientated sports car and I drive it like one. I'm up to date on all my service, I havent missed an oil change (i change it every 5k KM's) and its been done by Jiffy Lube which is listed as GM approved.

What the hell am I supposed to do now with a $53k, broken, brand new car?

Im a huge GM fan and avid Camaro enthusiast, i have been all my life. I built myself an 84 Camaro Z28 w/ an LT1 and 6-speed manual that makes over 520hp, thats my "toy" car. The 2012 is my daily driver, and theres no way I should have to pay out of my own pocket to fix something that shouldn't break on a STOCK car in the first place.

Anyone have any insight or can offer some help/suggestions?

[toesuf94]

So, you are saying the car is bone stock aside from muffler delete and they voided your warranty on a driveline issue? That is B.S.!

That should be covered if your tune is stock and everything is internally unmodified. Not sure of the rules in Canada though. Raise hell.

[3rdgen3]

Originally Posted by toesuf94

So, you are saying the car is bone stock aside from muffler delete and they voided your warranty on a driveline issue? That is B.S.!

That should be covered if your tune is stock and everything is internally unmodified. Not sure of the rules in Canada though. Raise hell.

Yup thats exactly what im saying! My service advisor's exact words to me were "So, they're not warrantying the part, and they've voided your warranty."

Ive never had a tune put on the car...ive never flashed the ECM, ive never installed an aftermarket part on my car, PERIOD. Nothing...NATA!

Ive read countless threads on here of other people who broke there cars whether it be an axle, a transmission or whatever...in fact, some people have had 2x axles and some even 2 transmissions replaced by GM....

[C5RocksC5]

what was their reason for not fixing the car?

[Luckymex_dallas]

CALL GM directly. they will pay the dealer to fix it!! complain for the GM direct number...tell them the story...they fixed my clutch for free!! slave cylnder actuator problem..took them three times to get it right!

yes im like you GM lover but these cars have that bullshit rubber and 2 piece driveshaft. its an easy easy fix if you want to do it...also you can replace those rubbers with a BMW part and its stronger..or go with a DSS coupler...in the meantime call GM...or tow it home and DIY...and keep your foot out of it until you upgrade...no HARD LAUNCHES!!!

[3rdgen3]

Originally Posted by C5RocksC5

what was their reason for not fixing the car?

I wasn't given a specific reason. My service advisor said that they had GM representive come and look at my car and he said "This part wasn't defective. We're not covering it.".
Not defective? In what circumstance does a stock unmodified LS3 5TH gen Camaro SS supposed to break a stock axle?

I wasn't using launch control, I wasn't doing a burnout, I wasn't spinning the tires and the car did not wheel hop, but on a 1 - 2 short shift (not racing, not dogging it but not driving like a grandma, I shifted at 4-4500rpms and when I let off the clutch the car free revved and went no where.)

I was really looking forward to doing some minor bolt-ons to this car but if I'm having this much hassle with a stock car, what's the point?


Can someone else tell me why they bought a Camaro SS? I'm sure it wasn't to drive it like a Prius

[Luckymex_dallas]

hopefully your trusty mechaninc didnt overlook the loose bolts on the rear coupler on the DS!!

they were coming loose before new owners even drove em off the LOT!

i so regret selling my 98 ws-6 conv. firebird!
the biggest problem i had with that car was buying new tires!! too many burnouts!!

[3rdgen3]

Originally Posted by Luckymex_dallas

hopefully your trusty mechaninc didnt overlook the loose bolts on the rear coupler on the DS!!

they were coming loose before new owners even drove em off the LOT!

i so regret selling my 98 ws-6 conv. firebird!
the biggest problem i had with that car was buying new tires!! too many burnouts!!

I dont believe he checked the driveshaft..i mean really, what reason would he have to check the driveshaft for?

I hear ya buddy...I love my 3rd gen to death and always wanted a WS6 4th gen LS1.

[Birm]

Call GM or get a hold of gmcustomerservice (member on this site).

[Russell James]

Ask the owner of the dealership if they'd like to sell you another Chevy in the future.

Same question to the Chevy rep that caused all this crapola.

A good retail store just takes care of their customers. Any business that depends on repeat purchases and referrals has learned that long ago if there is any quality at all to their reputation.

No reason they needed to call their rep for a simple axle repair. That is just being a dick and making a mountain of a mole hill.

Here is how a quality dealer handles it.... sorry for the inconvenience, here is your loaner car. Car fixed, warranty claim submitted and paid, customer happy. Please let us know if you are completely satisfied with your service experience.

It's so simple it's rediculous, why some choose the route of being a dick is amazing. Especially in this economy when they should be going out of their way to impress customers with quality service.

[45thAnniversary2SS]

Sorry to hear this happened. I drive mine very hard too and have had no problems. Has to be related to the previous incident. I'm always jumping on 2nd at high rms....

Knock on wood...

They are going to have to cover it. Don't give in.

[Luckymex_dallas]

Originally Posted by 3rdgen3

I dont believe he checked the driveshaft..i mean really, what reason would he have to check the driveshaft for?

I hear ya buddy...I love my 3rd gen to death and always wanted a WS6 4th gen LS1.

you are complaining about that CLUNK from the rear of car?

alot of guys are finding loose bolts in the rear coupler on your two piece driveshaft!!! they are loose from the factory on ALOT of camaros..and they will eventually fall out or snap..and make that THUMP noise ..due to snapping back and forward...just a suggestion...two piece driveshafts are GAY!!

[SGOS252382]

They can't deny your full warranty because of your exhaust mod. My guess is they believe your driving style is abusive (thus not honoring your warranty).

I know that racing or abusive driving can void a warranty.

Having a muffler delete should only affect the warranty on your exhaust.

[Luckymex_dallas]

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

They can't deny your full warranty because of your exhaust mod. My guess is they believe your driving style is abusive (thus not honoring your warranty).

I know that racing or abusive driving can void a warranty.

Having a muffler delete should only affect the warranty on your exhaust.

Buy the zr-1 and you can hot rod it all you want..at the track and all..its fully covered even at the track!!
they must be confident!! wish my 40,000 car was built like that!!!