Awesome_SS 1, GM 0

[Awesome_SS]

As a few of you know, I had been having trouble with my Service Stabilitrak light coming on ever since about 2000 miles (before any modifications were made). Long story short, I had the local GM representative come down to try and resolve the matter. Well, it made matters worse. He placed restrictions on my car(behind my back) after seeing the modifications and would not get an engineer to look into the problem that I believed had nothing to do with the modifications. After meeting with him, I took the car back in and the dealer finally narrowed the problem down to a faulty steering wheel angle sensor. Well, guess what...the sensor was on the restrictions list. They would not cover the $322.86(parts & labor). I tried GM customer service and tried talking to the dealer, but none of this worked. The rep would not return my phone calls. So, I seeked out legal advice($50) and found out that the judge was consumer friendly and a car enthusiast. The attorney felt that I would win based on my documentation of the car having trouble before the mods, so I went to the Newport News Court office and filed a lawsuit against GM. This past week GM calls me up and wants to settle out of court and has agreed to pay the $322.86 + $58.00 in court costs + reinstate my warranty.
When GM called and after they told me they would be paying, I told them they better not pull a stunt like that again. Because, next time I am not going to settle...I am going take it all the way to court no matter if I win or lose! The best part was the local Gm rep had to make the final decision to let me win! So, never back down you guys!!! And GM...you can

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Awesome_SS

As a few of you know, I had been having trouble with my Service Stabilitrak light coming on ever since about 2000 miles (before any modifications were made). Long story short, I had the local GM representative come down to try and resolve the matter. Well, it made matters worse. He placed restrictions on my car(behind my back) after seeing the modifications and would not get an engineer to look into the problem that I believed had nothing to do with the modifications. After meeting with him, I took the car back in and the dealer finally narrowed the problem down to a faulty steering wheel angle sensor. Well, guess what...the sensor was on the restrictions list. They would not cover the $322.86(parts & labor). I tried GM customer service and tried talking to the dealer, but none of this worked. The rep would not return my phone calls. So, I seeked out legal advice($50) and found out that the judge was consumer friendly and a car enthusiast. The attorney felt that I would win based on my documentation of the car having trouble before the mods, so I went to the Newport News Court office and filed a lawsuit against GM. This past week GM calls me up and wants to settle out of court and has agreed to pay the $322.86 + $58.00 in court costs + reinstate my warranty.
When GM called and after they told me they would be paying, I told them they better not pull a stunt like that again. Because, next time I am not going to settle...I am going take it all the way to court no matter if I win or lose! The best part was the local Gm rep had to make the final decision to let me win! So, never back down you guys!!! And GM...you can

Glad you managed to sort that all out...the last paragraph sure paints you as quite the bada$$!

[Awesome_SS]

They certainly ticked me off and released the Irish blood in me.

[Awesome_SS]

Someone PM'd me about what this sensor looks like. Here is a picture. It fits over the steering column shaft.

[fastball]

I LOVE reading stories like this

Seriously, big corporations care nothing about their customers in the whole big scheme of things. Glad to see someone "took it to da man"!

[htron50]

Originally Posted by Awesome_SS

so I went to the Newport News Court office and filed a lawsuit against GM. This past week GM calls me up and wants to settle out of court and has agreed to pay the $322.86 + $58.00 in court costs + reinstate my warranty.

So specifically what actions / paperwork did you fill out at the court? Was it small claims? Etc etc.. thanks! We like details! So we know how to do it

[Awesome_SS]

1) In my case, there was two ways to file a lawsuit according to legal council I obtained($50). I chose not to go up against one of their lawyers and instead go up against a GM representative. Just wanted to be on an equal playing field. I would recommend getting legal advice for your particular situation and see which way is best for you to file. An attorney will know the best Judge to get and best county to file in. Also, he/she will know if you have a good case or not.
2) Very Important. Find out GM's Registered Agent by calling 1-866-722-2551. It can change names, so call for the current name. At the time I was ready to file it was under Registered Agent CT Corporation 4701 Cox Rd. Suite 301 Glen Allen Va 23060-6802, General Motors LLC. Download the Warrant in Debt(Civil Claim For Money) form or get it from an attorney and correctly ad the above information to the versus section on the form. Write in "Breach Of Warranty" for the reason of the claim. The rest of the form is self explanatory and some of it will be filled out by the clerk at the court.
3) Go to your county civil court and submit the Warrant In Debt to the clerk. Pay the fee($58). You will get it back if you win or settle.
4) An Officer will serve the registered agent within a few days. You will also need to mail the registered agent a copy of the form.
5) Wait for a call from GM. They will try to worm their way out. Just remind them that you will be looking forward to meeting them in court. They will respond with "we will investigate the matter and get back with you". Tell them to hurry, because the court date is coming soon and that you plan to be there to slam dunk them. More than likely they will call you in a day or so wanting to settle for the full amount plus court costs. Tell them to hurry up and send you the check, because if you don't get the money in time, you will see them in court. They were very quick and sent me the check about a week or two before the court date.
6) Celebrate as you go to the bank and cash your check.
7) Send the court a Dismissal Order. I have one I can send you or ask an attorney for it.
8) Your done. Very simple. Nothing difficult about it at all, except having to deal with GM Customer Service and the local GM Representative. Just be firm and lawyer like. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. Glad to help, especially if it is going up against those turkeys.

[Sharkycsi]

What is sad is the extremes you have to go through just to make them do what should have been done in the first place.

[LIV4VETTES]

but would you continue to buy gm from now on???

[Awesome_SS]

I would probably never buy another new GM vehicle, maybe a used one from an owner. The way I see it, they have costed me time and aggrevation. The cost for GM's stupidity is a sell of a new GM vehicle or vehicles in the future. The only time I will be going to the dealership is for warranty work or stuff that my mechanic friend(who runs a local auto shop) can't fix. The sad part is that I have bought numerous new GM vehicles in the past 23 years and have three right now. I guess it doesn't pay to be a loyal GM customer.

With that said, it looks like I am going to have to file another lawsuit against GM for refusing my warranty again on an engine oil cooler coolant fitting that is possibly loose or the threads cross-hreaded from the factory install. It is leaking at the fitting and engine block, which no one has touched since coming from the factory. There is a PIP #4735A or bulletin on the concern. I talked to the dealership and they called the local GM representative and I contacted GM customer service, and neither one said they will cover it. This is after they sent me a letter reinstating my warranty from the previous lawsuit. The idiots think it is mod related. It is not! They just don't get it and would rather payout more money for court fees than just look into it and fix it. That's how dumb they are! Taking the car in next week, so I'll just pay for the repair and go file the lawsuit again. At least I know how to do it now. I'll keep you guys posted on how things turn out.

[fastball]

You'd think GM would learn about customer service now. After loosing so many customers they had to beg to congress and the President on their hands and knees for money, file ch. 11, and kill off 4 brands.

You'd think by now they'd be going out of their way to make their customers happy.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by fastball

You'd think by now they'd be going out of their way to make their customers happy.

They are. Unfortunately, when you serve millions of people...some fall through the cracks. In the grand scheme of things, GM ranks among the leaders in the industry for customer service.

It doesn't make this situation any better...but it's worth considering before making generalized statements...

[ParisTNDude]

I'm not sure, off hand, of the number of GM cars I have owned in my lifetime and many of them new but, I have never had an issue with any of them that they didn't fix immediately. I only had one issue with a rear main seal leak on a 66 chevelle where they had to keep it over night and they fixed that while I was on vacation. The worst new car I ever had for warranty work was a new BMW and getting parts for it. They had the nerve to give me a Suzuki loaner car while they fixed my M3.

[jmaynard]

I had a similiar problem with a GM vehicle but my circumstances were much more dire. I purchased a SAAB 97X Areo (LS2). Noticed a problm within the first 500 miles with the vehicle hesitating froma stop. It did not happen every time but a lot of the time. During the 500 mile (inspection) I informed them and got the typical response that they 'could not replicate the problem'. Went in for the 10k oil change, same problem; same answer. Long story short, reported it every time the car was in for service/wash/etc. At 25K it had gotten so bad I took it in for just that problem. After 3 days they finally say that when they punched it the accelerator pedal showed 100% but the carb only opened 20%. 2 months later they still could not fix the problem. Took it to the GM training facility, flew in GM specialists, etc.

Now for the real crappy part. Since they shut down the factory that made these, a replacement was not available. To make matters worse, SAAB was in sale mode. Even worse than that, they wanted to CHARGE ME FOR THE 25000 miles I had driven in the defective machine that they COULD NOT FIX???? I held firm and basically let them know that I understood the warrranty, I understood the lemon laws (you have to read then so that you understand them), and that I knew I could beat them in a court of law.

Result: They 'bought back' the car based on sticker price towards purchase of ANY new GM vehicle. This was important because when I purchased the vechile I was eligible for GM supplier discount, loyalty customer incentive, and a VERY large additional incentive on the vehicle. I picked up a new Cadillac SRX as a replacement and paid the sticker to sticker difference (bout 5k).

Lesson learned: NEVER ACCEPT THAT THEY CANNOT REPLICATE A PROBLEM YOU KNOW IS THERE. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE IT DOCUMENTED AND INSIST THAT THEY TAKE TIME TO LOOK AT ALL POSSIBLE CAUSES TO THE PROBLEM AND THEY LIST THE STEPS THAT THEY TOOK TO JUSTIFY THEIR RESULTS. YOU WILL NEED THIS FOR ANY FUTURE COURT ACTION AND TO FORCE THEM TO LIVE UP TO THE WARRANTY AND/OR LEMON LAWS.

Note the bold text above. Without this they can claim anything later down the road. If they wont document, contact GM customer service right away (from the drive bay is best). Open a case and make sure that the miles are recorded and follow up with phone and emails.

BTW: I am a loyal GM customer and wont let a$$ h's dictate what I buy. I just bought my new 2012 Imperial Dark Blue SS2 and love it, but if I have ANY problems I know how to handle GM and will do so without emotion.