flyzlow

My hatch has severe bubbling to the left and right of the rear emblem. The dealer says they won't cover it after having a GM rep look at it . The estimate is $1400 to replace and paint the rear hatch. I have read other posts where some of you have gotten yours repaired under warranty(despite being out of warranty) or courtesy repairs on vettes as old as 2001. Mine is an 02 with 26K miles and showroom condition. Should I bite the bullet or is their a higher authority to contact? Also, is $1400 an OK price? I am interested in what others may have paid for the replacement. Thanks for your input. ----------------------- (After a month and a half of phone calls and trips to three different dealers I am getting a GM courtesy repair on my rear hatch. Persistence, being cordial, patient and finding an enthusiastic advocate at GM paid off. I am a bit surprised under the current situation with GM but thankful for the outcome. Thanks for the advice everyone.)

Dominic Toretto

Wow, this is new to me.

-Alex

Cobra4B

I've read about a TSB on it a few times... I'd try another dealer or ask the GM rep who his boss is.

Jacks02

Stay the course with GM -- be polite -- and seek out the appropriate decision-maker for a face-to-face meeting with him/her in your service zone. Patience will be your reward.

KCJeff

Take your issue to the GM zone level. Great advice here about being nice. Focus on your disappointment in the quality. Talk about buying another Corvette and how GM handles this situation will have an impact on that buying decision. Tell them all you are asking is that they do the right thing for known problem. Ask each person, "Will you please help me to resolve this known GM paint problem". It would be very easy to lose your cool. Don't. Once you get pissy, they just don't lift a finger to help.

Under no circumstances would I pay $1400 for this repair/repaint. Talk to some forum members about recommending another local shop.

FWIW, I am just starting to see this same issue on my 2002 EB Coupe.

Jet-Jock

I searched the service bulletins and didn't see any in regards to paint problems on the deck lid (bubbling, etc.) The only SB was on white door handles were turning yellow.

Sorry not much help

C5SCCA

Is this problem with all coupes or a particular color?

Bill Vett

TSB# 040851003

Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
Service Bulletins - Search Results

1 Record(s) Displayed.
Report Date : July 6, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Search Type : VEHICLE
Year : 2002
Make : CHEVROLET
Model : CORVETTE
Make : CHEVROLET Model : CORVETTE Year : 2002
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Service Bulletin Number : 040851003 Date of Bulletin : JUL 01, 2004
NHTSA Item Number : 10012129
Component : STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
Summary :
REAR HATCH SURFACE BLISTERING. *EH

Here ya go....... Bill

dobewillie

good find Bill

vettesmith02

and am seeing the issue on mine.

Choreo

I am one of those who got theirs replaced long past the original warranty had expired. I think there were 4 reasons this came to pass:

(1) I bought the car NEW in 2000 FROM GM
(2) I had purchased quite a few NEW Corvettes from GM in the past
(3) The manner in which I presented my case
(4) The car was maintained in like-new condition
(5) Had a local Service Manager that pushed it through (I never had to call anyone AND I had never purchased any of my Corvettes from that dealership!)

At this point in time the C5s have been out of production so long I doubt they would be very receptive - just my guess.

It might be worth approaching them with some kind of co-pay proposal?

If you did not but the car new directly from GM I would say the chances are VERY slim.

$1400 sounds pretty good if they REPLACE the deck. They have to remove the rear window, remove the old deck, paint both sides of the new deck, reinstall the same window in the new deck and reinstall/adjust (and they recommend a 3-day sit while the rear window sets up). My ticket that they covered 100% was more like $3000+.

Good luck!

flyzlow

Thankyou all for all the helpful advice. I'll keep pursuing it and let you all know the outcome.

Vetteman Jack

You can try bumping it up to GM Customer Assistance - no telling if it will get you anywhere but worth a try. Here's info that was posted on the forum a while back on this issue.

Document ID# 1538514
2000 Chevrolet/Geo Corvette
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rear Hatch Surface Blistering (Replace Hatch) #04-08-51-003 - (Jul 20, 2004)
Rear Hatch Surface Blistering (Replace Hatch)
1999-2004 Chevrolet Corvette

Condition

Some customers may comment that the paint is blistering around the rear hatch. Refer to the area shown in the illustration above.

Cause
An insulator material between the inner and outer panel may be leeching through the outer panel causing it to blister.

Correction
Replace the Rear Hatch. Refer to SI Document ID #657265.

Parts Information
Part Number
Description

10374349
Panel Assemble Rear Compartment

Parts are currently available from GMSPO

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

B3710 Lid, Stowage, Replace 0.4 hr

C0660 Glass, Back Window Replace (Fixed Roof) 1.0 hr

A2730 Lid, Rear Compartment -- Refinish/Clear Coat 1.6 GK

Add:

Paint Mix Time 0.3 hr

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

flyzlow

ttt update on original post

Herringchoker

Looks like we have a winner Glad it worked out. JOE

jraschke11

Glad it never happened to me because I could not keep my cool if they told me they would not cover their own defect.

INTRUBL

Just curious, With Arizonas hot weather, does you car spend much time outside in the sun, maybe that could have caused the leeching.

fixvet

PLEASE........post some pics for us!!!

flyzlow

NOT caused by the sun or heat, it is a factory defect that takes time to develop. It is the glued insulator inside the hatch that causes it. My Vette has 26k and is always covered in the garage. It is a defect that is acknowleged by GM hence the TSB Referenced and shown above.

C5 4 ME

I have not heard of this problem