[pjcapurso]

Hi
I am having it out with my Caddy dealer and GM. In Nov 2008 they replaced my steering wheel because the heating element didnt work.

When I got the car back I did notice a small blemish on the woodgrain part of the wheel but didnt bother to call right away,as my life at the time was too hectic with work. I drove the car for a few weeks and the small blemish then flaked off leaving a speck of the wood showing about half the size of the letter 0 on your keyboard.

By then it was the first week of December and I had put the car away in storage for the winter not using it untill the second week of March

When I did go to start it after the 4 months of storage it would not start and would not take a jump, I called the dealer who had it towed. They replaced the battery, fix the seat skirt that was broken but would not warranty the steeering wheel, saying its not covered and that I did it.

They stated I should of notified them right away if there was a blemish. I told them I did not know of any timeline on letting them know.

After they denied it I called GM they said they would look into it, what they did was call the dealer (who was pissed I didnt let him do a $1700 brake job)
The Gm person called me back and said they agree with the dealer and would not cover this steering wheeel as it's cosmetic and not warranty covered

Does anyone have any ideas that may hep me get this replaced?
[email protected]

Thanks

 

[WillySTS]

Hi
I am having it out with my Caddy dealer and GM. In Nov 2008 they replaced my steering wheel because the heating element didnt work.

When I got the car back I did notice a small blemish on the woodgrain part of the wheel but didnt bother to call right away,as my life at the time was too hectic with work. I drove the car for a few weeks and the small blemish then flaked off leaving a speck of the wood showing about half the size of the letter 0 on your keyboard.

By then it was the first week of December and I had put the car away in storage for the winter not using it untill the second week of March

When I did go to start it after the 4 months of storage it would not start and would not take a jump, I called the dealer who had it towed. They replaced the battery, fix the seat skirt that was broken but would not warranty the steeering wheel, saying its not covered and that I did it.

They stated I should of notified them right away if there was a blemish. I told them I did not know of any timeline on letting them know.

After they denied it I called GM they said they would look into it, what they did was call the dealer (who was pissed I didnt let him do a $1700 brake job)
The Gm person called me back and said they agree with the dealer and would not cover this steering wheeel as it's cosmetic and not warranty covered

Does anyone have any ideas that may hep me get this replaced?
[email protected]

Thanks

I am a service advisor at a Cadillac dealer, and I can tell you that you will have better luck winning the lottery than winning that one. We are absolutely forbidden to address an appearance or trim/interior piece issue that was said to have happened while the car was in our posession after it leaves the dealership...let alone after several days...weeks...MONTHS...without a phone call,e-mail, return trip just to show us...or something. But after 4 months...I don't think so.

You might try shopping around to different dealers and don't say anything about trying to get it fixed somewhere else. And, to be honest, you may have had a better chance if you had allowed them to do that "super fine" brake job for $1700.00('guess you need rotors,too, huh?):thepan:

 

[pjcapurso]

Thanks for teh not so good news.
I can see how a blemish could have happened by a tech accidently, It just sucks everytime I get in the car to drive I get the same aggravated feeling!!

And yes they said I needed rotors all around, etc you know the deal.

Is there anyone to contact at GM

 

[Force-1]

A battle not worth fighting in my opinion. How can you expect the dealership to admit any fault 4 months after it supposedly happened while in their hands? Look at it from their point of view--you could have done it last week, then try to blame them!?

 

[cnotesonly]

Once you decline an SA's reccommendation to spend big money your service experiences will continue to worsen. They do not make any money for writing up Factory Warranty problems. The warmer on your steering wheel can go out again when the windows is down and the rain is coming in as you turn the warmer on...there are ways my friend. Do not go back to that dealer again there are many other GM service houses to choose from even if half of them are closing.

 

[NYCadillac]

Make friends.. GOOD friends.. with a service advisor. I took my car in and asked if they could replace my start button that peeled and looked like crap as well as the chrome molding on the hood that was bubbling. Guess what they said? "Nope, that's cosmetic". Went to another service advisor .. same dealer.. that knows my gf's family and what do you know.. it got fixed.

 

[z06bigbird]

Nothing new to add here. I am just repeating some of the above.

1. First rule of thumb. Know your service writer. Does he/she like chocolate, tacos, or ice cream. I am not recommending that you bribe anyone. Just form a good relationship. Once or twice a year, drop off some goodies.
Same thing with service mgr. When you first start dealing with any service dept, ask service mgr what service writer he/she prefers. Be professional; don't be a whiner. Just be friends.

They appreciate friendly people. When something happens to my car at a dealership, I quietly point it out to them ask if how it might have happened. I was ready to accuse a dealer of 2 problems last year; then my wife reminded me that those two separate scratches had been on the (used) car since we bought it. I also went back to dealer to inform them of my error.

2. In today's corporate market (Detroit), I personally do not think any dealer will give up any goodwill $$. Two years ago, they would have. I suspect if a dealer gave you a new steering wheel, and if GM soon cut off any reimbursement to dealer that that goodwill, dealer would have to eat the expense. Ain't gonna happen.

3. A great re-finishing cabinet shop or gray haired carpenter who works on antiques could likely do a good job on that steering wheel. Unfortunately, it would take a bunch of research to identify who could do it.

Good luck.

My sarcastic advice to you: Watch more Judge Judy. She points out the errors of plaintiffs regularly.

 

[dkozloski]

There is a section in the factory service manual for refinishing wood trim.