Got the Recall notice on my '04 today...

['04 Torch Red]

It came in the mail today...safety recall notice on my '04...washer and nut and possibly ball stud and steering knuckle(s)...I think the build dates fall between Jan 8, '04 and April 20, '04...my luck ...missed it by 5 days of not having to do the recall...2 to 6 1/2 hrs to fix. Anyone else get the recall notice?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

04 TorchRed,


Sorry to hear about your recall. It is a shame that Chevrolet can't build a car in its eighth model year without a significant quality/reliability problem like this.

My 1999 C5 had all kinds of problems - now at 35,000 miles, I wonder what else will go wrong.

Good luck.

 

[Ncbosshoss]

I haven't gotten my letter yet but had already scheduled mine to be fixed this morning. When I made the appointment, they hadn't even gotten word about the recall or at least were unfamiliar with it. I'd like some of your opinions about what I experienced this morning at the service department.


I made the appointment well over a week in advance to have the recall work done. The advisor at the time mistakenly advised me the time for repairs was about a half hour so told me to plan on an hour. This morning, after I had already been there about an hour, he comes out to tell me he made a mistake and it will take 2 hours. No big deal so he made a mistake. About an hour later, I happen in to the counter and the service manager is standing there with my advisor and the manager is asking the advisor if I want to reschedule the car for the recall work. It seems that at 9:45 AM the vette tech is concerned that he may not be able to do what needs to be done in a timely manner and since he is leaving the next day on vacation did not want to get into it. They only have 1 vette tech. I was extremely upset but managed to keep my composure.

Would it have been to much to ask for the tech to do the intial action of replacing the nut/washer to see if that corrected the problem? I realize that if it does not torque properly then they replace the other components. I could understand it taking them 6+ hours to do everything if the whole ball of wax had to be repaired. This was there first recall in the shop for this and if became very obvious they were not at all prepared to do it. The letter specifies a time frame of 2 to 6.5 hours per the above posting and stated that they will have the parts available to have it done if needed.

I plan to elevate this issue up the chain just as a poor customer service complaint. ANybody else had there's in for this and what happened? Would you guys let this be or raise an eyebrow or two?

Chris

 

['04 Torch Red]

I haven't gotten my letter yet but had already scheduled mine to be fixed this morning. When I made the appointment, they hadn't even gotten word about the recall or at least were unfamiliar with it. I'd like some of your opinions about what I experienced this morning at the service department.


I made the appointment well over a week in advance to have the recall work done. The advisor at the time mistakenly advised me the time for repairs was about a half hour so told me to plan on an hour. This morning, after I had already been there about an hour, he comes out to tell me he made a mistake and it will take 2 hours. No big deal so he made a mistake. About an hour later, I happen in to the counter and the service manager is standing there with my advisor and the manager is asking the advisor if I want to reschedule the car for the recall work. It seems that at 9:45 AM the vette tech is concerned that he may not be able to do what needs to be done in a timely manner and since he is leaving the next day on vacation did not want to get into it. They only have 1 vette tech. I was extremely upset but managed to keep my composure.

Would it have been to much to ask for the tech to do the intial action of replacing the nut/washer to see if that corrected the problem? I realize that if it does not torque properly then they replace the other components. I could understand it taking them 6+ hours to do everything if the whole ball of wax had to be repaired. This was there first recall in the shop for this and if became very obvious they were not at all prepared to do it. The letter specifies a time frame of 2 to 6.5 hours per the above posting and stated that they will have the parts available to have it done if needed.

I plan to elevate this issue up the chain just as a poor customer service complaint. ANybody else had there's in for this and what happened? Would you guys let this be or raise an eyebrow or two?

Chris

=======================================================

Just plain DAMMM...Thanks for the heads up...after reading your post I am leaving my concealed weapon permit and weapon home when I take mine in...don't want to make the 6 P.M. news...:L

 

[65vettish]

Received my recall notice the same day I took the car into the dealer for an oil change. I wasn't aware of the notice and apparently neither was the dealer since nothing was said about it. Guess I get to take it in again. Hope the dang thing doesn't fall apart on the way to get it fixed!

 

[Blade]

Got my letter last week, took her in earlier this week, they called 45 minutes later and she was ready to go!!!!

 

['04 Torch Red]

Got my letter last week, took her in earlier this week, they called 45 minutes later and she was ready to go!!!!

So I take it you only needed the 2 new washers and locknuts?...not the baljoints?

 

[Blade]

[QUOTE='04 Torch Red]So I take it you only needed the 2 new washers and locknuts?...not the baljoints?[/QUOTE]

 

['04 Torch Red]

Didn't you ask?:confused

 

[Tom]

I had the recall done the other day, it only too a few hours. When you get your car back, check the lug nuts, the scratched the end of all 20 of them, on my car.

 

['04 Torch Red]

I had the recall done the other day, it only too a few hours. When you get your car back, check the lug nuts, the scratched the end of all 20 of them, on my car.

Damn!...but why did they have to undue all four wheels???:confused

 

[Tom]

[QUOTE='04 Torch Red]Damn!...but why did they have to undue all four wheels???:confused[/QUOTE]I would assume to get to whatever washers and nuts that needed to be replaced on all four wheels. It took four dealers before one would call Bowling Green, to find out what needed to be done. they did replace all the lug nuts without any problems.

 

['04 Torch Red]

I would assume to get to whatever washers and nuts that needed to be replaced on all four wheels. It took four dealers before one would call Bowling Green, to find out what needed to be done. they did replace all the lug nuts without any problems.

EEk...I was told that it just concerned the front end...washers(not made of the correct material and could rust out) and nuts for the lower control arm.....something that could come loose and you could lose steering control ...but not anything at the rear of the car...whats up with the rear?..stuff done there also...I don't think so...:confused

 

[RC135_Tx]

I took my car in Thursday for the recall. They checked the torque on all 4 lower control arm nuts. If the torque is less than 22 ft lbs they have to replace the knuckle. They had all the parts necessary except the knuckle (my car needed one on the right side). They got the part in today, called me, and the car is now fixed (I left it with them for the afternoon and drove a loaner around). In my case, the parts replaced were: 4 nuts (10282253), 1 arm (10326694), & 1 knuckle (10332529). Their copy of the sheet showed a bunch of money!! My dealer is in a pretty small town (much less than 200k), & my car was the 3rd one they had done. No problems at all (no scratched lug nuts, either!!).

 

[Tom]

[QUOTE='04 Torch Red]EEk...I was told that it just concerned the front end...washers(not made of the correct material and could rust out) and nuts for the lower control arm.....something that could come loose and you could lose steering control ...but not anything at the rear of the car...whats up with the rear?..stuff done there also...I don't think so...:confused[/QUOTE]Here is a copy or the recall notice. Read the paragraphs between the two dotted lines. That seens to indicate the possibility of a rear end problem also.


VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE - based on VIN #

August 2004
Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2004 model year Cadillac CTS, SRX, XLR, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles.

Washers that are used along with nuts to attach the lower control arms were made of the wrong steel material.

These washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, making it possible for the control arm to separate. If this were to occur on the front of the vehicle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the affected wheel could tilt outward, creating a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and turn it in the direction of the affected corner.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The driver could maintain some steering control with the unaffected wheel, but vehicle control would be diminished. If the separation occurs at the rear of the vehicle (XLR and Corvette only), it could cause unexpected right or left lateral forces at the rear of the vehicle. Although steering of the front wheels would be unaffected, control of vehicle direction would be impaired.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Front or rear control arm separation may also reduce brake system performance and increase stopping distance.
If these events occur and the driver is unable to react in time, a crash could occur.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Your dealer will install a new nut and washer on the lower control arms, and if required, replace the ball stud and/or steering knuckle(s). This service will be performed for you at no charge.

You may be contacted by a dealer other than the dealer who sold or is currently servicing your vehicle. Please be advised that you may take your vehicle to the General Motors dealership of your choice to have the recall service work completed. Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department.

 

['04 Torch Red]

Here is a copy or the recall notice. Read the paragraphs between the two dotted lines. That seens to indicate the possibility of a rear end problem also.


VEHICLE RECALL NOTICE - based on VIN #

August 2004
Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2004 model year Cadillac CTS, SRX, XLR, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles.

Washers that are used along with nuts to attach the lower control arms were made of the wrong steel material.

These washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, making it possible for the control arm to separate. If this were to occur on the front of the vehicle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the affected wheel could tilt outward, creating a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and turn it in the direction of the affected corner.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The driver could maintain some steering control with the unaffected wheel, but vehicle control would be diminished. If the separation occurs at the rear of the vehicle (XLR and Corvette only), it could cause unexpected right or left lateral forces at the rear of the vehicle. Although steering of the front wheels would be unaffected, control of vehicle direction would be impaired.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Front or rear control arm separation may also reduce brake system performance and increase stopping distance.
If these events occur and the driver is unable to react in time, a crash could occur.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Your dealer will install a new nut and washer on the lower control arms, and if required, replace the ball stud and/or steering knuckle(s). This service will be performed for you at no charge.

You may be contacted by a dealer other than the dealer who sold or is currently servicing your vehicle. Please be advised that you may take your vehicle to the General Motors dealership of your choice to have the recall service work completed. Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department.

========================================================
Damn...I did not know that...very informative...this grasshopper learned something...I will pass the info on... thanks...