All,

I bought my 2015 z51 corvette brand new. About a year ago, the car start to make a granding noise when taking off in first gear occasionally. I bought the car back to the local dealer twice but they couldn't figure out what's the problem. Fast forward to this week, I bought the car back again as the noise is getting worse and the car jerks now when taking off from first gear (normal take off). The warranty expires this month and now the dealer start to give me some GM BS which I need help with.

1. Dealer saying I've been tracking the car since I've been using my PDR, which is total bs, I use my pdr as a dash board cam. What can I do to prove to them I never tracked the car?

2. Dealer is saying they need to take the car apart to figure out where the problem is, if it's the clutch, it's not cover by the warranty since it's "normal" wear and tear. Therefore, they gave me a quote of $5500.

Please let me know your thought.

Thank you

-Gerry

 

I am simply giving MY opinion. First I believe C7s are supposed to be "track capable" & driving them on the track has nothing to do with voiding the warranty. There are even specific procedures outlined in the OM describing changing out the oil for the track spec oil, brake fluid upgrade for tracking, etc. The PDR comment is total BS. If cars have been tuned or certain aftermarket parts added then the warranty "could" be voided. They could be correct on the "normal wear & tear" since some folks do abuse or simply use the clutch poorly (slipping it starting off in 1st, riding the clutch like some A8 folks ride the brake, etc). Check in OM (I think) what is considered "normal wear/tear). Then again it could be they are trying to scare you away with that price quote until the warranty expires. Make sure all your visits for this (actually any) complaint has been thoroughly documented in your service records. You might politely ask for printouts if they didn't give you copies when you were given the car back after each visit (complaint). Me, I would bump this up to GM Customer Service, not really sure who/what the procedure is but again is in OM if not satisfied with dealer service. Good luck & try to get the ball rolling before warranty expires. Again JMHO, I'm sure someone will offer different advice or tell me I'm full of it. There are some on here who thrive on these stories 'cause it gives them a chance to STEALERSHIP bash.

 

Run...run away from the dealer fast. They clearly demonstrated they don’t know what they are talking about so it can only get worse for you. Even if you have to take it a hundred or so miles to another dealer.

 

1. GM doesn't penalize car owners for tracking their cars so when the rubber hits the road that shouldn't matter. I wouldn't bother trying to justify that you aren't tracking it. If they say it again the answer you should give them is a polite, "Why is that a problem?" The engine, transmission and other drive line components are covered under the GM 5/100K warranty so you should still have over a year left on the warranty unless you are close to going over the 100K mark.

2. I imagine the car will have to be taken apart to find out where the problem is. You just don't look at it and know what is wrong and a lot of dealerships tell people ahead of time if they find something that isn't covered by the warranty the Customer will be charged for the repair.

If the clutch is the problem that won't be covered under the warranty as it truly is a wear and tear item. However, $5500 is a little on the steep side for a clutch replacement although it wouldn't be cheap. A few years ago a clutch replacement on a C5/C6 would have run between $1500 and $2000 including parts and labor.

There is something going on with your relationship with that dealer. With the price they gave you I think they are trying to chase you away. You could try a different dealer.

A word of warning: Don't get the dealer pissed because they can ruin things for you. If they sour GM on you then you have a problem so be judicious in how you proceed. All it takes is their Service Writers and Mechanics whispering in the district reps ear about suspicions and incidents. Problems they can generate with GM can have repercussions later on even at different dealerships.

Bill

 

I am a little confused, you have a 2015 car & the warranty is about to expire. I can believe your 3/36 warranty is about to expire, however I believe your power train warranty is 5/100k miles. If you have a power train issue other than the clutch, you should have plenty of warranty left. I have heard that is some instances that the clutch will be covered by warranty, especially since you are on the cusp of the 3/36k expiring.
I, like other believe you need to do at least (3) Things.
(1) Get documentation of every trip to your dealer.
(2) I would call GM Customer service and get a case number, this give you documentation that you have addressed your complaint with GM
(3) If at all possible, find another dealer, the one you are going to has made it clear he does not want to mess with your car.

 

Plus unless you have an insane number of miles on the car or are really bad on slipping the clutch, I highly doubt its worn out at this point.

 

I would, at a minimum, find a different dealer.

 

OP here all dealers are not the same. Look for a some what big corvette dealer close to you.

I had to drive almost 100 miles to get worked done on my car under warr. Robert

 

what does granding noise mean?

 

I'm guessing he meant grinding.