Camaro team's response to concern about Transmission Output Shaft Failure

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

True but what it boils down to is GM is banking that we will mod our cars within the 5 year/100k miles period (which is highly likely to happen) so at that point, if we break the shaft, the power is on their side to deny the warranty claim. GM loses nothing with this current approach and decision on this issue.
Nice statement but I call it

That's my .02 cents

No, they aren't. You may choose not to believe that, but I can assure you your statement is incorrect.

[JusticePete]

With any mechanical component there is an assumed probability of failure. The same is true with a complete product, there is an assumed probability of failure. That statement hould not raise any red flags.

I had a transmission issue with my HIGHLY MODIFIED WIDE-BODY 2004 GTO. I ASSUMED I would have to pay for the repair even though it within the warranty period. The Regional Zone Manager was in the Dealership on routine business. He looked at my car out of a car guy interest and asked why it was in the shop. They told and showed him. He said he had never seen a failure like that and authorised a warranty repair.

GM has treated me fairly on warranty.

[WS6ADDICT]

Mine snapped at 500 miles, then a rear shaft on the IRS broke at 2,800. Called GM but said it would not assist in a trade assist. Ordered my wife an automatic & lumped it. Not pissed at GM in any way, I just wish the after market or the transmission manufacturer would offer a hardened race version. I hated thinking of being 2 hrs from home & having it break. Towing to the nearest dealer & waiting a week for a repair doesn't get me to work on Monday to make the payment!! Seriously, HATS OFF to GM for the coolest car for the buck we could wish for!!!! THANKS GM!!!!@@@

[Tran]

Originally Posted by D1BADZ

also closing all the other output shaft threads seems a bit uncalled for, even if you did sticky this one to converse about. Closing threads just adds fuel to the fire showing that "someone" does not want you talking about it. I hope this site doesnt start getting like some sites...................

If "someone" does not want you talking about it, then this thread wouldn't have been created at all and all the other threads would simply have been deleted (and not closed).

All other threads have been closed and this one created so that everyone has the first post here to reference as GM's latest position on this matter, and so that all the related discussions can be conducted here going forward (instead of multiple threads with older info and speculation).

[76CamaroLT]

Originally Posted by ITMerc

While the 'public' release of info is certainly appreciated what I saw was a pretty standard industry reply to a potential warranty problem that seems to have limited safety implications. He admitted they saw a spike in reported failures, they looked into it and basically figured out, in my opinion, that it would cost them more money to issue a recall and FOR SURE have to spend a pile of cash fixing cars that may or may not ever actually break than the much smaller amount of money it MIGHT cost them to just sit on their hands and wait to fix the ones that actually do break. Standard cost/benefit risk analysis.

From reading the other threads it seems like a subcontractor had a parts run (or several in a given period of time) that resulted in shafts that fail at a higher rate than expected. GM most likely identified the affected VIN range and has gotten the manufacturing issue corrected with the subcontractor, but has also decided that its not cost effective to issue a recall and instead is willing to roll the dice and deal with them if they do fail on a case by case basis. Not bashing anyone here! Its pretty standard practice in almost ALL industries to do this kind of cost/benefit risk analysis.

Would it be nice to know if your car falls in the affected VIN range, SURE. But releasing that info would fan the fires probably causing the affected owners to demand a pre-emptive part replacement thereby costing GM more money (a defacto recall) than waiting for what would surely be a much smaller number of actual failures.

To me it simply means that IF my car experiences a shaft failure I have a pretty strong case to convince GM to fix it regardless of how the car was being driven. Its a 'Muscle Car'', drive it to enjoy it and as long as you do so with the respect due any piece of machinery you want to continue operating properly for its expected lifetime then you likely won't have any problems. If you DO have a problem, then take it to the dealership and get it fixed. If its a warranty issue then its on them, if NOT then its on you.

Do I LIKE the answer they gave... Not really. Do I UNDERSTAND it...I like to think so. Heh!

Yup

[urr2slo]

i'm not very happy with there response to a known problem. the owners within the vin range of known failures are left in limbo to break down at any time, most likely at the worst possible time, like on a trip or over a weekend, etc. and are we going to run into any warranty hassles if we mod our cars as alot of people will do during the course of ownership. i personally like modifing my cars but dont necessarily drive them hard, now i'm thinking i need to go out and beat on my car to see if it breaks. i think this is a poor decision on gm's part to say, "we'll fix it if and when it breaks if your still under warranty". they should be proactive and recall the affected vin range and correct it before hand. i would be cool with a recall but will be pissed off if it breaks.

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

First thank you for the statement, But This is how its done all the time, Hope that it dos not brake in the warranty time and fix the ones that do, And this is the reason this is a fail to me, I for one want to know if me car falls in that vin range, If it dos then i will drive it till it fails then have it fixed if not then have a nice day.

[2001ragtop]

To those who live in fear of driving their Camaro, please go and return your "tainted" car, and buy a new one so you can chill out and relax.

or modify your car with extra driveshaft safety loops or whatever it takes and you probably can just keep your car and not worry about this.

[2SSJIM]

Thank you for the reassurance of the power train warranty. As I said before, I wasn't concerned with it because I know GM would take care of it. I think people just needed to know that GM is aware and will take care of them. As Macy's like's to say about Kris Kringle in "a Miracle on 34th street"..... I believe!

[Marvelous]

"Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one."

[76CamaroLT]

Originally Posted by Marvelous

"Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one." - Narrator (fight club)

[jayson71]

Mine "failed" causing an annoying squeak while driving under light load. The dealer repaired it in a few hours, no problem. Never was I concerned about the vehicle's safety.

[multiSS]

Question; When GM does warranty an output shaft, do they replace it with the same part (part#). Or is there an upgrade?

[daddyuhoh]

No worries, I have an auto SS.............