I had my 2006 DTS at the dealer and had them look at these wheels peeling, and they said it was not warranty (still have until the end of the month until the bumper to bumper is up) because I am not the original owner. Does that make sense to anyone?


http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/goodwrench1/cars/DSC02432.jpg


http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/goodwrench1/cars/DSC02434.jpg


http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/goodwrench1/cars/DSC02431.jpg


http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/goodwrench1/cars/DSC02435.jpg

Unless something has changed, it has been my understanding that factory warranty transfers with the title to whoever owns the vehicle, whether you be the first owner or the umpteenth. I have had factory warranty work done on used GM vehicles that I have purchased in the past that were still within the time/mileage limits prescribed by the bumper to bumper warranty.

Perhaps the dealer is concerned about "pushback" from GM on this and is unwilling to go to bat. Their reasoning seems bogus. Try another dealer if there is one close enough to you.

Usually the warranty has been transferred automatically.
But the bankruptcy has changed several things.
Tread softly, try a different dealer and call GM customer service........

WOW, that looks really bad... also to me it looks like some sort of acidic solution was presipatating inside the wheel, almost looked like at some point it was bubbling from it and now is rusting as a result... THAT SUCKS... i doubt the dealer will actually want to replace it, as it does look like it was done by something outside their manufacturing control.
OUT of curiousity, are they 18s or 17s?
GOOD LUCK
P.S. if nothing works, TRY EBAY, CHECK THESE OUT. i would love to have these... i think it works like this, you buy them at full price 1600$ or $1700 + ship and then you send your old rims to him and he refunds you a grand.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-NEW-18-CADILLAC-CTS-STS-DTS-OEM-CHROME-WHEELS-RIMS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQh ashZitem43990d281eQQitemZ290330585118QQptZMotorsQ5 fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

But really i would love to have these... because they are allready with tires and i like the style of these, but you cant trade your old rims for these... for 1750 i think its a good deal...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SET-OF-FOUR-4-CADILLAC-DTS-18-WHEELS-RIMS-TIRES-CHROME_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14Q QhashZitem4836f227f7QQitemZ310159484919QQptZMotors Q5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Tires and doors at wrecking yards are the hardest thing for those places to sell. As a result, these shops are very negotiable on those parts. I would venture that you should be able to locate a set of chrome wheels for $150 to $200 per wheel plus $25 to $50 each for shipping.

Take your time; do your homework. Try some large Caddy dealers too; many have tire shops.

The bumper-to-bumper warranty is for a shorter time period and less mileage than the power train warranty. Wheels are not considered part of the power train. Could this have anything to do with your dealer's refusal to cover your damage under warranty?

Dealer replaced mine with a lot less damage , got zone approval though .

This is a long shot. Did you have the wheels balanced since you owned the car. The reason I ask is perhaps a acitic solution was used to clean the rim in order for the new wheel weights to adhere to the rim. Over time it worked its way between the plating and the rim resulting in the peeling.

Bob

Dealer replaced mine with a lot less damage , got zone approval though .

Me too, mine were just pitting. OPs look plain awful. I feel for you. I have never seen any that bad and would chime in that perhaps this was an after factory error. But then again, maybe not, as that is not the reason the dealer is giving you for denying the warrantee. Another option is a set of non-chrome DTS takeoffs if you don't really care about chrome - a set for $500 bucks is listed on this forum I think.

@ CaddiLukKing they are 18's

@ Justbob The wheels have been rebalanced by the previous owner

I did go to a different dealer (I wouldn't trust going to same dealer after they treated my car like a cash for clunker turn in) and they photographed the rims and are submitting it to the General Motors Regional Service Representative, so I should know something here shortly.

I think I'll try my hand at small claims court 1st before buying new ones myself (if they deny their obligation), just have to track down previous owner(s) and have them sign affidavits that they maintained the wheels in accordance to GM's recommendations.

I would have a hard time believing the previous owner used anything other than mild detergent on his/her $40k+ ride.

I thought Obama said our cars warranties would still be honored in bankruptcy! :D

UPDATE:

General Motors rep says no because can't confirm how rims were maintained by previous owner (if that is the case then that should void any remaining factory used car warranty).

Have called Cadillac customer assistance should hear back from them on 8-11-09.

To be continued......

This is most interesting. Wish you better luck with GM than I had with Chrysler: My 300C started showing wheel corrosion at about 18,000 miles. The dealer took a look and said they needed replacement. But the regional manager nixed it, and the dealer didn't want to have the unrecoverable expense on his books (understandable). At about 38,000 miles it looked really bad, so I contacted Chrysler direct, indicating I had the supplemental warranty which should cover this item. Took about 4 e-mails before they understood the problem...and then they said, sorry, the supplemental doesn't cover wheels, only the new car 36,000 mile warranty does and you're beyond that. So I sent them the complaint--and refusal to cover--dealer workorder from 18,000 miles. They said, sorry, we don't wish to discuss this anymore and terminated correspondence. Sold the car 4 months later....

If all else fails, I only live about 25 minutes from GM HQ. Maybe I can hand deliver these wheels to Ed Whitacre (New GM CEO) or Bryan Nesbitt (new General Manager of Cadillac division) for some good theatrics.

I've owned ALOT of Chevys in the past and the dealer has never balked at warranty repairs. I can't believe that this is how CADILLAC is treating their owners. I read on the Fastlane GM blog that the New GM is putting customer first in every aspect. I would have to disagree.

@ TulsaVic That stinks that you tried to have your wheels replaced at 18,000 miles with Chrysler and they still wouldn't budge. That's why I'm pushing so hard to get these replaced now, because in a year or two they are going to look 10 x's worse.

Goodw,

Have you researched any TSBs? Maybe there is a trend with this problem. That might strengthen your case.

Ed

If all else fails, I only live about 25 minutes from GM HQ. Maybe I can hand deliver these wheels to Ed Whitacre (New GM CEO) or Bryan Nesbitt (new General Manager of Cadillac division) for some good theatrics.


I am in Lansing, put me on stand-by so I can video the event, and bail you out of jail as needed. :D

If all else fails, I only live about 25 minutes from GM HQ. Maybe I can hand deliver these wheels to Ed Whitacre (New GM CEO).

Ed Whitacre should be Fritz Henderson

Update: Waiting for "Level 2" Customer Care Rep to call back.

That's a real shame.I have the 18 in wheels on my performance model and they have been through a north east winter with all the salt and who knows what they put on the roads during the winter and they still look like new.

I suggest the wheels are defective and should be replaced.I know that is easier said than done but don't give up........:annoyed:

Well, I got my new wheels installed Friday after about a month and a half of corresponding with GM. Bulletin 07-03-10-015 instructs exactly how GM should deal with wheel appearance issues.

Just a couple of bullet points:

* Eligible conditions are warranted for the full term of the New Vehicle Warranty
* Any defects in the finish, balance, or structure of the wheel resulting from the improper manufacture are covered under the New Vehicle Warranty for the full time and mileage limits of that warranty. Typical covered issues that you may encounter are:
* Flaky or pitted chrome on the visible wheel surface indicating poor adhesion of the plating.
* Flaking or peeling on the backside of wheel indicating poor adhesion of the plating (they will not replace a wheel for this alone, they will only repaint backside of wheel).


It's just a matter of getting someone at GM to get the field representatives to follow their own written policy.

So if anyone else looking for help with General Motors chrome wheels peeling or blistering, I recommend going through their customer service channels, and if that fails get a hold of the executive office at General Motors (ie headquarters), that's who helped me out the most. Don't Give UP! Go to the BBB autoline arbitrator if needed, and if that doesn't work, goto small claims court.

Well, I got my new wheels installed Friday after about a month and a half of corresponding with GM. Bulletin 07-03-10-015 instructs exactly how GM should deal with wheel appearance issues.

Just a couple of bullet points:

* Eligible conditions are warranted for the full term of the New Vehicle Warranty
* Any defects in the finish, balance, or structure of the wheel resulting from the improper manufacture are covered under the New Vehicle Warranty for the full time and mileage limits of that warranty. Typical covered issues that you may encounter are:
* Flaky or pitted chrome on the visible wheel surface indicating poor adhesion of the plating.
* Flaking or peeling on the backside of wheel indicating poor adhesion of the plating (they will not replace a wheel for this alone, they will only repaint backside of wheel).


It's just a matter of getting someone at GM to get the field representatives to follow their own written policy.

So if anyone else looking for help with General Motors chrome wheels peeling or blistering, I recommend going through their customer service channels, and if that fails get a hold of the executive office at General Motors (ie headquarters), that's who helped me out the most. Don't Give UP! Go to the BBB autoline arbitrator if needed, and if that doesn't work, goto small claims court.


KUDOS to you. :cool2:
Glad you got it resolved.
Too bad you had to go thru all the hassle to do it.

Texas Jim

So far I have not been as successful and GM is not being very helpful.

here is a youtube of the phone conversations I've been having.

v9Ta4wiGuy8

FIERODOUGH...

I think you've done an outstanding job of being and staying "on POINT" with them...
MARK was trying to DEVIATE from the issue at hand by making you feel better about the problem.
MRS CLARK is a NOBODY she does'nt seem to know S#!T !

I bought a used 2007 DTS from a PA dealer auction, with 38 thousand miles in May, it now has 54 thousand miles on it (I drive from Maryland all up and down the east coast). When I was buying it, I examined every aspect of it very carefully (paint, rims, and undercarrige, aside from my dealer, I even had my own mechanic with me! ) everything seemed to be ok with it visually and mechanically. Recently as I was washing and waxing it (I do this myself and frequently) I noticed several little "DING" like black spots on the chrome plating on three of my rims.

I believe you are right about the fact that the plating was contaminated during the process. I doubt my Warranty is still in effect as I'am past the 80 thousand KM mark.
Good Luck to you in persuit of JUSTICE...

FIERODOUGH...

I think you've done an outstanding job of being and staying "on POINT" with them...
MARK was trying to DEVIATE from the issue at hand by making you feel better about the problem.
MRS CLARK is a NOBODY she does'nt seem to know S#!T !

I bought a used 2007 DTS from a PA dealer auction, with 38 thousand miles in May, it now has 54 thousand miles on it (I drive from Maryland all up and down the east coast). When I was buying it, I examined every aspect of it very carefully (paint, rims, and undercarrige, aside from my dealer, I even had my own mechanic with me! ) everything seemed to be ok with it visually and mechanically. Recently as I was washing and waxing it (I do this myself and frequently) I noticed several little "DING" like black spots on the chrome plating on three of my rims.

I believe you are right about the fact that the plating was contaminated during the process. I doubt my Warranty is still in effect as I'am past the 80 thousand KM mark.
Good Luck to you in persuit of JUSTICE...

Thank you!

Your support means alot to me. Its taking up quite a bit of my time getting all the facts together and trying to present my case.

Whatever the outcome, I will keep everyone up to date and hopefully it will make things easier for the next guy.

Thanks gain! :D

Update: Sent the video to local news, Detroit news and CNN... Lets see what happens.

Update: Sent the video to local news, Detroit news and CNN... Lets see what happens.

I sent an email to Mark Phelan who writes for a few papers (including Detroit Free Press). Not even a response. I don't think they like to bite the hands that feed them (GM spends ALOT on advertising).

Is it only the backside of the wheel peeling, or is the chrome peeling as well? My wheels were peeling on the back the exact same way yours were, and the chrome was peeling too.

The only reason I ask is in TSB 07-03-10-015 it specifically states that if only the back side is peeled they are not to replace the rim for that reason but clean and repaint.