Convertible Top Recall

[bulllett]

Originally Posted by SSTOKED

I'm also going to hit them with the fact that I'm a manufacturing engineer at GM (Rochester, NY) and I know about design revisions and how important it is to contain suspect product from getting out to the customer when there are known manufacturing/design problems. We work very hard in our plant to control quality and it is very apparent to me they missed the boat on this one. I also happen to know somebody at the Camaro plant so they can't fool me (I wished I called him before I purchased). I'm going to voice my opinion to them for all of you and how disappointed I am on how this problem is being handled. It hurts my paycheck when they lose future customers over problems like these. Employees are just regular customers so even I get screwed on stuff like this! Keeps us real and makes me focus on making the best product we can in our plant

Good idea. Excellent positioning!

Fwiw, as part of the "conversation" I had with those three, I brought up my insistance for a 10yr 100k warranty. The immediate response was that I got the most that GM could give out (4yr 65k). I said calmly (but quite happily because this is one of the many traps I set up for this meeting), that no, "GM rep's have given out more". I then opened my file and listed various people who have better warranties given to them from GM. I even offered to give him phone numbers and copies of warranties (heh heh, it was one of those priceless moments where the GM rep had nothing to say). I then pulled out the quote from Josh Holder as support for my position on the 10yr 100k.

I got an awkward silence and then the District Manager decided that maybe we'll revisit that after we solve my top problem, lol (really this is exactly the way it went down).

That interaction was all thanks to this forum and the facebook page.

Guys, GM is going to get away with the strategy of blowing people off. Its a numbers game. But they shouldn't get away with it on anybody in this forum. You have tons of support and information and emperical evidence to fight them off with. I know they like to try to blow you off with "anything on the internet is not believable" (its a way for them to disregard all your support). But if you give them names and locations and listing of people who have had multiple tops done (or whatever), its very hard for them to blow you off.

Funny thing is, I know that GM is watching these forums and I am putting myself and my strategies and my encounters out there for all to see. This is akin to allowing the other side to see all my notes and cheat off me . I'm positive I could go the BBB route and get a new top and mechanism. But that's not going to help anybody but me.

No, I'm no Micheal Moore or Erin Brockovich (and this certainly isn't as important a problem as people dying of cancer. Far from it). But I just don't want to sit idly by while this big, non caring, company rolls over people and tries to sweep this under their proverbial rug while they spout off disingenuos things like "We are very sorry to hear" "We apologize for any inconvience" "I am sorry to hear the frustrations you are experiencing with your vehicle". All while telling people to basically go pound sand.

Actions vs words folks. Actions vs words.

[theragtopguy]

My salesman sent me an e-mail last Thursday asking how I liked my car and I replied telling him about the bubble forming on my dash, the gear shift knob loosening up and last but not least that I was unhappy with my top's appearance.

Well, today, the service manager called me and I discussed it with him along with my angst about having the top replaced because of all the other issues others have had with leakage, etc. and he assured me that they sent one out to a top specialist and it came back perfect. So far, he has been very very good and concerned with making me happy. I told him about my '93 Oldsmobile that I had a canvas top on and how it still looked perfect when I sold it years ago and about this forum and others with the same issues. He listened and said he understood my concern.

Friday morning at 10 AM I have an appointment for them to take a good look at it and we will see what they come up with for me. I also told him if it does need a new top that I know a totally new mechanism was released by GM and I would expect that to be replaced also. I'm sure it will need one because I can see the fabric on each side getting frayed and will eventually turn into a hole.

And so it goes.........

[oyealiz]

How widespread are these issues? Any idea? I know that it's easy to think there are tons of problems when you're on a forum like this where folks are specifically asking/posting about their issues.

I have been looking all day online at verts for sale, but I don't want to encounter these top problems!!!! Maybe I'll just wait.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by oyealiz

How widespread are these issues? Any idea? I know that it's easy to think there are tons of problems when you're on a forum like this where folks are specifically asking/posting about their issues.

I have been looking all day online at verts for sale, but I don't want to encounter these top problems!!!! Maybe I'll just wait.

I started a pole to find out jut that, what are the problems and how many have them.
you may want to follow this one.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229648

so far the ones with just rubmarks and wrinkles plus the no problems at all are more than the ones having the holes and broken bows.

My experiences with the Convertible tops on two Saturns are they will show rub marks if you put them down. period. but they should dissapear with the next washing. Wrinkles are something that some tops get and some don't. but the ones with holes and broken bows seem to be the worse. Myself I feel confident that the problems will be addressed and fixed, and after seeing several having theirs replaced and are satisfied now with them gave me the confidence to buy a early 2012 build Convertible today. from what I understand the ones being built now, saying the late 2012 and the 2013 ones should be just fine.

[evlar]

Who is Josh Holder?

[Michael Rophone]

Originally Posted by evlar

Who is Josh Holder?

Josh Holder is an engineer and rep for Team Camaro.

What do I win?

[bulllett]

Originally Posted by evlar

Who is Josh Holder?

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228149

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Originally Posted by theragtopguy

My salesman sent me an e-mail last Thursday asking how I liked my car and I replied telling him about the bubble forming on my dash, the gear shift knob loosening up and last but not least that I was unhappy with my top's appearance.

Well, today, the service manager called me and I discussed it with him along with my angst about having the top replaced because of all the other issues others have had with leakage, etc. and he assured me that they sent one out to a top specialist and it came back perfect. So far, he has been very very good and concerned with making me happy. I told him about my '93 Oldsmobile that I had a canvas top on and how it still looked perfect when I sold it years ago and about this forum and others with the same issues. He listened and said he understood my concern.

Friday morning at 10 AM I have an appointment for them to take a good look at it and we will see what they come up with for me. I also told him if it does need a new top that I know a totally new mechanism was released by GM and I would expect that to be replaced also. I'm sure it will need one because I can see the fabric on each side getting frayed and will eventually turn into a hole.

And so it goes.........

Please let us know how everything goes at your service appointment. They should be able to address all of your concerns. I look forward to your updates.

Brandon
Chevrolet Customer Service

[tramtwo]

Maybe it is one of those automated online help desk people.... this has become simply bizarre...

[Fnfalguy]

My last update from GM on Monday was that even though I've waited 6 weeks on a replacement top that they have no idea when a new top will become available since there is currently a wide-spread shortage.

[95birdible]

If there is a widespread shortage shouldn't that tell all of us that this is a major problem? I mean, the first tops are going to the ones on the line and the leftovers are sold through parts warehouses and dealerships for service. Just read between the lines a bit on this one.

[Michael Rophone]

I hope the 50th Anniversary Camaro has the modified top.

[cactuseater]

Originally Posted by 95birdible

If there is a widespread shortage shouldn't that tell all of us that this is a major problem? I mean, the first tops are going to the ones on the line and the leftovers are sold through parts warehouses and dealerships for service. Just read between the lines a bit on this one.

Exactly. I've been waiting since the beginning of May. What a joke. I go for a few days vacation, including from my cell phone, and the GM Cust Assist Center tells me (after 6 months of this crap) that they have "been trying to reach out to me and have not been able to contact me.." THE PAST THREE DAYS... And, "...since we cannot contact you we will close your case file at this time. Please call us if we can be of further....." I am beyond pissed off right now. "Reach out" to me? Yeah right. Just a head's up to folks out there using the GM Cust Assist Center, they are basically worthless. And they have yet to listen to or meet my demands for the "advertised" expectations of this car. The top is screwed, and the service records are 3 inches thick with a plethora of warranty issues with this car.

So, my demand is still for a new mechanism and top. We'll see what they send. Meanwhile, the car is back finally from fixing the hydroelectric plant I had on the rear floor.

I was told there is a new mechanism prototype by the GM Assist Center just last week. This is the reason they told me I could not "get a new mechanism". Hey I'll wait. Because, GM, you're going to get this car back constantly for the same problem until it is REPLACED. Sorry guys, just plain tired of this shit, I've been nice, now it's time to turn the "nice light" off. I'm told I'm in line for the new canvas....it had better have a matching newly designed mechanism attached.

[cactuseater]

Originally Posted by angrykiller1

you are one of the lucky ones. if your car stank from water in the back seat until you were ashamed to take anyone for a ride, believe me, you would find in your heart some understanding for those of us who want to be heard.

OMG man, you're right on point with that smell.....like rotting trash wasn't it? Bleah! Ours literally could not be driven, nobody could open the door without a gag reflex. Seriously.