nwdanner

I'm quite pissed off at the moment and probably shouldn't post, but what the hell.

So, my 2002 coupe recently developed the "blistering paint" issue on the rear hatch -- a known issue already document by GM. After several trips to the dealership service center, body shop for estimates ($2500!), and several phone calls with GM customer service (the last about 45 minutes ago), GM decided to abruptly deny any assistance/coverage in fixing the paint. Yes my car is now out of the factory warranty (other than GMPP), but bubbling factory paint on a near-pristine 6-yr old Corvette with 37k miles? Give me a frick'n break.

And this just comes on the heals of two previous denials: 1) clearcoat on the wheels flaking off and 2) "crazying" of the targa top. Both of which were denied while the factory 3/36 warranty was in effect! I fought my way through GM customer service then, with the same end result. I chucked out my own money to fix those, but now I'm going to have to spend $2.5k to fix an OEM paint issue. But I'm probably overreacting, what should I expect for a car that originally cost ONLY $50k.

c3_enthusiast

> sigh <

I hear ya on that. I stepped away from GM for about 6 yrs and recently came back... and bought 2 GM products in 1 yr.

I think the goal is to not stay quiet about it. Did you buy the car new? Talk to the sales manager and even the OWNER of the dealership. Contact your local news (if they have an investigation team... here in Detroit we have a couple of 'Call for Action' teams).

I can only imagine how sick you are. When I was a kid, my dad bought a 1987 Olds 442 and the paint checked off the car. GM denied claim on that one and it was but 9 mo old! Pops ended up paying to have the entire car stripped and repainted. Talk about sick!

bcseitz

One of many reasons GM's stock is hovering around 10 bucks a share.

KenHorse

Search for a series of posts I made last year about my battle with GM (which turned out positive after 3 months of effort on my part).

It concerned a BCM replacement and I stuck to my guns. That finally paid off but you have to be persistent and don't settle for some low-level "Regional Service Manager". Go straight to GM in Dearborn, MI and raise Hell.

t-boy58

I likewise would be upset about the refusal to fix the flaking and targa top while the vette was under 3/36. In fact I would have parked it in front of the dealership with a huge flashing sign on it until they fixed it. Yet the paint thing now is a different issue. The car being a 02, like mine, is now officially 7 years old. I don't think any auto maker covers paint that long!

SSWEET

I think any problem that rears its ugly head when under the factory warranty GM needs to man up and correct it...but 6 or 7 year old paint....nah...I don't think so......

sailohio

Wow

James 91Steelblue

I bought a suzuki samari in 86, then traded for a Toyota Truck in 91, had rice burners ever since as my daily driver. Had a vette for back up because I've always loved the car. Spent more on corvette repairs than all the rice combined. I drive an 07 civic now, great car. (I don't try to race corvettes at the stop light and it has stock exhaust)
Wouldn't change a thing. Wish we had an immigration problem with the japanese sometimes.

J S Machine

It is what it is man. We really have no control over the quality of the products that GM makes, but what we can do is embrace what they have given us.

The best that you can do is learn to fix things with your own two hands and do it better than they did it.

$2500 to fix paint on a hatch is BS. Someone will do it for for cheaper than that. Body shops look at Vettes like diamonds when they roll in, and when they make estimates they go through the roof. Truth be told it is just paint, just like on any other car.

If you were close I'd do it for a couple hundred + material costs.

Just trying to provide some positive encouragement. Good luck

Bret01Z06

Honestly I work at a paint shop and we worked on my Vipers, Vettes, and even Ford GT's and $2,500 is a rip off. We charge less then that to repaint the entire front end of a car. I would say that should cost around $500-$600.

blacksedan87

Funny - I've had GM cars since 1971. I find their quality no worse than any other automaker. The biggest P.O.S. I ever owned was a 1980 Honda Civic that I bought new. The second biggest P.O.S. was a 1991 Infiniti G20. So spare me the sob story about GM. Go buy a Japanese or a Korean pile of crap and stop whining. Their economies will really appreciate the business - and I don't want to hear about how Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru are built in the U.S.

KCvetteowner

Why do I have a feeling you DID NOT go to Superior Chevrolet on Shawnee Drive??? You are wasting your time anywhere else my friend. Run down to Superior and see what they say and check out the Callaway Corvettes they have on the lot Superior sponsors the KCCA club in Kansas City and they have some of the best prices on GM parts.

dndrsn

Sell it and buy you a nice quality import.


Oops, didn't see two posts up.

DonsLS1

Amen Brother!

KC-Vette

There is only two real Corvette dealers in the KC area, the one mentioned above and Cable-Dahmer...I don't believe you would have had these issues with either dealer.

grayfox2424

Had the same problem with clear coat peeling off...GM said it was acid rain and refused to discuss it further....The thing is my wifes 1965 Mustang sits outside day and night while my C5 is garaged...the Mustang paint after four decades is still in good shape..so I guess the acid rain only effects GM cars that are garage kept. Also it never has effected her Camray which is parked next to the Vette. GM quality..???

Ryan L

Just now losing your faith in quality? GM quality has been in the junker (along with Ford) for almost two decades now. GM and Ford have been gaining ground with the Japanese in the past few years, but there's still a gap. If you want quality, it won't be in an affordable sports car.

dndrsn

If I had any car that's 7 years old and the paint begins to peel I would either fix it, or sell it, but I would definately get over it. If it was still under warranty it would be fixed. I like to keep my life simple. My brain is small.

stig-zzz

THE STUFF UNDER 3/36 IS B/S gm should have maned up..... paint after 7 years should not fail imho that being said no manufacture would fix your problem ether look for a paint shop you will save a bundle 2500$ is nuts good luck to you hope all works out

army2000

Well, I've been fairly fortunate with my C5. Very few repairs had to be done on her and no factory defects. As for GM quality, our family has been buying and driving GM's for over 50 years with very few issues. Every automobile is made by the hands of a human. You get some good ones and sometimes you get that Friday afternoon or Monday morning car. Best of luck to you.