Man, how embarassing.They should replace the skin at their expense.This is a Cadillac were talking about.G M flag ship car.2000STS said:Let's try this again. My original post intended to determine if anyone could suggest an appropriate solution to my problem. I bought a 2000 STS in June. I've washed and waxed it a few times and only noticed corrosion on the door panel inner seam last week. It is coming through it would seem as the paint is bubbling on the outside. Otherwise the car is mint.
The car is 15,000KM past the warranty for corrosion but within the time frame to be covered.
Meanwhile I visited my local Cadillac dealer ... he seemed shocked to see the corrosion...took some pictures and said he would talk to GM and see what they would do. I told him I could drive it around rusty till it perforated the metal. At that point I would be covered by the 160,000KM 6 year warranty on perforation.
2000STS
It looks like go thru the proper channels and see where it takes you.They will probably ask for photo"s and written details. hopefully they will give you some kind of assistance being out of warranty.2000STS said:Just heard from the dealer. They will not repair the corrosion under warranty. It is 15,000KM past the corrosion warranty. The only warranty that I have left is 6 year rust through.
The dealer will not initiate interaction with GM to have them fix it now rather than when the metal is perforated. He indicated it is up to me to contact "customer service" and attempt to have them cover the repair.
I asked the dealer if he considered corrosion on a 3 year old Cadillac to be acceptable and all he would say is it is not normal. I again indicated that GM is forcing me to drive a rusty 3 year old "luxury" car until the corrosion penetrates the metal. He indicated they may give me a hard time at that point indicating I should have had it fixed earlier.
Did you get any kind of an body shop estimate?2000STS said:Just heard from GM..I suppose I should except the fact that I own a POS and shut up about it. They will not assist me in any way. The fact that a three year old GM vehicle rusts from inside to outside seems to be acceptable and not their fault or problem.
Time for a KIA with their 100000km warrenty2000STS said:I have been to the other dealer and they tell me the same thing. Apparently the warranty only covers rust through from the inside of the sheet metal not the inside of the car. I am told the rust on the "inside" of the door is not on the "inside" of the sheet metal. Silly me!
Both dealers I have been to have their own body shops.
The second dealer checked the other three doors on the car and THEY ARE ALL ROTTEN. Each door is exhibiting the same characteristics at the same location. If this isn't faulty design / workmanship I can't imagine what would qualify.
Signed,
A future Lexus owner.
2000STS said:Murphy,
Thanks for the offer but the dealer in Oakville has offered to do it for what I feel is quite reasonable. He is going to remove / repair the rust on the four doors, remove the factory installed sealer, install a thiner better bonding sealant strip and blend the metallic paint back in on all four doors for less than $500. Not bad in my book.
It's just a matter of getting it there. It's only a fun car for me so I can leave it for as long as he wants it.
I am totally &$%$*&%^ off at GM and will be continuing to try to persuade them assist me with the cost as a matter of principle. If they don't I will continue endeavor to make as many people as humanly possible aware of the problem in the hopes that others can catch the problem before 4 years and 80,000KM (or whatever it is Stateside). Also, I want to make people aware of the manner in which GM has handled this situation.
Perhaps I am wrong to expect a luxury car to be rust free for more than 3 years. If so, so be it. It blows me away that they are shrugging it off.