NEVER buy a car from Martin Cadillac in West L.A.. I purchased a 2004 SRX from Martin Cadillac in April 2004. Out of the 8 months that I have owned the car it has spent a total of 4 months in the shop for repairs.

1ST Problem
Rear hatch back (upper) brake light panel warps each time the car is exposed to the sun and the daytime temperature is above 85 degrees. Consequently, the warped brake light would dent the roof of the car each time I opened the hatch. This problem occurred 3 times. Three times I had to take my car to Martin Cadillac's body shop. I contacted GM/Cadillac Customer Service by the third brake light repair and they offered to pay two of my car notes. Later Cadillac reneged on the agreement after the air bag deployed.

2ND Problem
Onstar would intermittently stop working. So, the car was in the shop again.

3RD Problem
Martin Cadillac disconnected everything in the rear of the car when they replaced the roof for the 2nd time. I had to return the car to the shop again because they failed to connect the hanger hooks, redefrosters, etc.

4TH Final Problem
The AIR BAGS DEPLOYED while car was in PARK in October. The steering wheel air bag and the driver side air bag exploded without reason while the car was stationary. Needless to say I do not have the car. My SRX has been in the possession of Martin Cadillac since October. GM determined based on the information from the car's black box that it was their fault that the air bags deployed without any cause. Cadillac's Product Liability Department has agreed to purchase the car from me but they do not want to pay for the injuries that I sustained when the air bags hit me. Nor do they want to compensate me for the inconveniences that I have experienced.

There are numerous other details that I left out because I am crunched for time, but if anyone else has experienced these problems I would like to hear from you. Or if you have any advice I would like to hear from you because I foolishly didn't hire a lawyer at the time of the air bag incident, so Cadillac is taking full advantage of my ignorance.

If you haven't signed anything----You haven't, have you?----Hire a lawyer now.

No, I haven't signed anything but I am having a hard time finding a lawyer to take the case because most lawyers do not feel that my case is worth their time and effort because my injuries (as one lawyer said) weren't "catastrophic".

You can definately find a lawyer, especially a referral from a friend.....Also I find a frank conversation in which you mention the threat of hiring a lawyer can often get them back to the discussion...say something like "I would really prefer not to bring my lawyer into this, why dont you take time to figure out how you are going to pay me for my medical expenses. Dont forget if I do sue you will have to pay those expenses plus my legal fees plus your legal fees, lets not waste time or money on the issue"

Thanks for the advice but I tried that already and GM isn't afraid of threats. Plus I foolishly didn't go to the doctor within the first 25 days. I just photographed my injuries and I self treated and medicated.

Then, basically, you have no medical expenses.

With my problems with just a defective cruise control, I hired an attorney to pursue remedies under our state's lemon law. GM was DEFINITELY afraid and settled quickly to my satisfaction. So, whether you seek a remedy for your vehicle's defects under lemon laws and/or for personal injury liability, you should definitely consult an attorney.

Can you share any details regarding the air bag deployment?

You need an attorney.

First bad thing Ive heard about Martin Cadillac. Martin Chevy takes real good care of their customers. Sorry to hear about your experience.

It sounds like all of those problems are GM's, not Martin Cadillac's. Except for forgetting to hook stuff back up - that's just sloppy.

I find it interesting that the BOTH air bags deployed while the car was in park. A lot of unrelated things have to go wrong electrically for that to happen.

Jim

The discussion about compensation is a little much for my taste. If you're able to "self treat and medicate," exactly what are you looking for? Clearly the responsibility for the airbag deployment was caused by the dealership. It's not clear to me why Cadillac would be liable.

Ells

The discussion about compensation is a little much for my taste. If you're able to "self treat and medicate," exactly what are you looking for? Clearly the responsibility for the airbag deployment was caused by the dealership. It's not clear to me why Cadillac would be liable.

Ells

You're right - I didn't read that paragraph correctly. GM determined that Martin did something to cause the airbag to deploy.

Compensation might be a little much if there were no serious injuries. I'd say as long as they replaced the airbag and corrected any other damaged caused by the deployment that they've held up their end of the deal.

Jim

I'd agree with the mood here on the compensation thing but it's still a horrid situation to have to go through as a car owner and it'd certainly make me want some demonstration of goodwill. Fixing the car is a given. Going a little farther - particularly when your goof-up actually injured a client is another. Even if the injuries were of the minor, self-treated variety, I'd at least want compassion if not something more tangible - like, perhaps, an extended warranty at cost. As a goodwill gesture. Without prejudice, natch. ;)

I mean think of two black eyes, you dont treat them except to let them heal, but wouldnt you want to be compensated for getting two black eyes, looking like an idiot and feeling like crap because some grease monkey screwed your brand new car up? I think so

I mean think of two black eyes, you dont treat them except to let them heal, but wouldnt you want to be compensated for getting two black eyes, looking like an idiot and feeling like crap because some grease monkey screwed your brand new car up? I think so

I agree the DEALER should do something but I don't see GM owning responsibility other than to investigate exactly what happened and forcing the dealer to make some kind of change to head off a repeat performance. The dealers make plenty of money and cause a lot of the customer service grief. I have nothing but disdain for dealers AND litigation.

Ells

Still would like to know what a tech could do to make the air bags deploy falsely.

Still would like to know what a tech could do to make the air bags deploy falsely.Yeah, how is it even POSSIBLE? Sure sounds like a tech's error exposed a design flaw or system vulnerability.

At the end of the day, if the injuries were minor and effectively and quickly treated, I'd just accept GM's offer to buy the car, close an unpleasant chapter, and buy a rival's product. If I had the time, I might then consider fighting GM in court for injury compensation. Just be careful what you sign when GM buys the car back - you might be dropping any claims against them.

Can you share any details regarding the air bag deployment?
There isn't much to share. The air bags deployed when I started the car.

First bad thing Ive heard about Martin Cadillac. Martin Chevy takes real good care of their customers. Sorry to hear about your experience.
The biggest problem that I have with Martin Cadillac is the fact that they didn't fix my brake light. They merely patched it. If Martin would have fixed my car then it wouldn't have taken 3 attempts. Each time that they patched one section of the brake light another section would warp. Hence Martin would dismantle my car again, thus exposing my wiring. This is why I hold them partially responsible. Furthermore the second to the last time the car was in the shop for repairs I started experiencing problems with my OnStar system.

I informed Martin Cadillac about my concerns regarding the repetitive repairs and they blamed GM because they said they have to follow the repair guidelines that GM provides them. Secondly, I have a grievenance against Martin Cadillac because I asked them to place me in a rental car that is comparable to my car (a SUV, with a sunroof, navigation, etc. all the luxuries that I am paying for) during the investigation and they said no. Instead I have spent a total of 4 months, out of the 8 months of my ownership of a SRX, driving a base model Trailblazer, Yukon, or Tahoe. It pisses me off to think of the fact that I am paying for a luxury car yet I am driving a base model rental car. This is why I do not like Martin Cadillac.

Thanks Noreaster someone finally understands my position. My objective wasn't to try to milk GM for money. If that was my goal then I would have done what so many people suggested--hire an attorney, fake a serious undetectable injury, and declare a major loss. Instead I was honest about everything and I dealt with GM myself. In return for my honesty I didn't receive a good will offer nor a monetary offer. Instead GM's representative offered to transfer my car payments and down payment to another GM car (at my current 3.9 interest rate mind you all 2004 cars are 0% now) or they offered to return my money (without considering that my debt ratio has changed because I have a SRX on my credit report now). These were my only two options. They did not offer an extended warranty, a discount on my next car, compensation for my injuries. Nothing!!! When I brought this to GM's attention his reply was we aren't charging you for the usage of the car. I was offended. I couldn't believe that they didn't make any sort of good will offer.

I learned a good lesson that I will never deal with a large corporation without legal representation.

I'd agree with the mood here on the compensation thing but it's still a horrid situation to have to go through as a car owner and it'd certainly make me want some demonstration of goodwill. Fixing the car is a given. Going a little farther - particularly when your goof-up actually injured a client is another. Even if the injuries were of the minor, self-treated variety, I'd at least want compassion if not something more tangible - like, perhaps, an extended warranty at cost. As a goodwill gesture. Without prejudice, natch. ;)
Thanks Noreaster someone finally understands my position. My objective wasn't to try to milk GM for money. If that was my goal then I would have done what so many people suggested--hire an attorney, fake a serious undetectable injury, and declare a major loss. Instead I was honest about everything and I dealt with GM myself. In return for my honesty I didn't receive a good will offer nor a monetary offer. Instead GM's representative offered to transfer my car payments and down payment to another GM car (at my current 3.9 interest rate mind you all 2004 cars are 0% now) or they offered to return my money (without considering that my debt ratio has changed because I have a SRX on my credit report now). These were my only two options. They did not offer an extended warranty, a discount on my next car, compensation for my injuries. Nothing!!! When I brought this to GM's attention his reply was we aren't charging you for the usage of the car. I was offended. I couldn't believe that they didn't make any sort of good will offer.

I learned a good lesson that I will never deal with a large corporation without legal representation.

Thanks Noreaster someone finally understands my position. My objective wasn't to try to milk GM for money. If that was my goal then I would have done what so many people suggested--hire an attorney, fake a serious undetectable injury, and declare a major loss. Instead I was honest about everything and I dealt with GM myself. In return for my honesty I didn't receive a good will offer nor a monetary offer. Instead GM's representative offered to transfer my car payments and down payment to another GM car (at my current 3.9 interest rate mind you all 2004 cars are 0% now) or they offered to return my money (without considering that my debt ratio has changed because I have a SRX on my credit report now). These were my only two options. They did not offer an extended warranty, a discount on my next car, compensation for my injuries. Nothing!!! When I brought this to GM's attention his reply was we aren't charging you for the usage of the car. I was offended. I couldn't believe that they didn't make any sort of good will offer.

I learned a good lesson that I will never deal with a large corporation without legal representation.

I'm lost. What's the difference what the interest rate is? We all know the interest rate is a scam. They all simply make up the rate differential from current REAL rates by reducing the rebate/discount.

How does your debt ratio change if they give you back your money? If you get your money back the debt for the car is not on your credit report is it? In fact this scenario is GOOD for your credit rating. I shows you pay your debts.

A little explanation will help us all understand.

Ells

http://www.normantaylor.com/

I am using them now on my lemon car... its not a cadillac..... SRX is one of my replacement choices after my case wins.... only draw back with this firm... they are busy.... mine did not settle in preligitaion and its been 3 months since they took the case and the suit should be filed with in the next few weeks.
Good luck!

Here in Fairbanks, an owner took his car to the dealer for repairs. The mechanic took it out for a test drive and totaled it. When the owner came for his car the dealer told him about the crash but said " Even though you owed more for the car than it was worth we paid it off for you anyway. See you later." The owner said. "When I came in here I had a car and now I don't." The Dealer said" We more than compensated you for your loss. Go away." It's going through the courts now.

Was that a true story? I contacted the lawyers that fotomom referred I am awaiting their return call.

Injured.....what ever became of this case?

Just got my second recall notice in the mail today. It's for unintentioned deployment of the driver side airbag(s) due to an interaction between the SDM and the vehicle's electrical system when the ignition key is turned on. Sounds a lot like Injured's problem number 4 in his original post. Guess he isn't the only one to have experienced the problem.

I was very shocked to learn that Cadillac recalled the SRX for airbag deployment during the start of the engine. My airbags (driver steering wheel & driver side) exploded while my car was in park. I guess I was the first one to experience this horrific accident.

GM offered to buy back my car but I had to haggle with them about returning my interest payments (I financed through GM). After 4 months they bought back the car. Last week, they offered to pay $750.00 for the personal injuries that I suffered. I turned it down because that wouldn't even cover the MRI that my medical insurance ended up paying for.

Has anyone else experienced their air bags deploying while the car is in park? I would love to hear your story.

What does your lawyer think about the recall and how it helps your case ?

SYROB

I foolishly didn't hire a lawyer. I tried to negotiate everything myself. Needless to say GM has been trying to take advantage of my ignorance.

ouch....that 700 dollar offer is missing about 2 or 3 zeros...if you had retained legal counsel

Unless you settled and signed a valid setttlement agreement you still sue and obtain counsel. Ought to be an interesting case. Liability is certain since it was a defect that caused the airbag to explode in your face. If you have any real injuries at all it should be worth thousands. Just the mental distress is significant. It would have scare me s---less. Even if you signed something settling this matter or obtained some renumeration you still may might have legal recourse by setting aside your settlement. ALSO, Just because GM bought back your car might not affect your personal injury case or products liablity case. Since they offerred you something, obviously GM think they are still in some legal jeopardy.

You do have a point. However, what I discovered when I did try to obtain counsel prior to my car buy back. No one was interested in my case because I had spoken to GM prior to obtaining their services. The lawyers felt that my injuries weren't substantial enough for them to dedicate so much time fighting with a big corporation like GM. But now that GM has inadvertently admitted liability by recalling all 2004 SRX vehicles for unprovoked deployment of airbags I will try to hire a lawyer again to negotiate my personal injury case. Thanks for the suggestion.[I]