Versatrak AWD moaning saga
03 Silhouette
08-31-2010, 06:15 PM
July 2006 -At 75K (100K PTW) - moaning noise. Dealer called GM -They said there was a bulletin on the problem. They paid full shot under warranty - about $500.00CDN.
July 2008 - At 115K - (under 4yr ext. GM delux warranty)- moaning returned. This time dealer called GMPP and said the work done at 75K must have been done as a courtesy not under warranty - the dealer agreed. After producing my work order and calling/e-mailing GMPP and GM CUSTOMER SERVICE they still believed it was classed as a "courtesy" not warranty. I was met with "we don't do oil changes for customers."
After reading the Bulletin referring to this problem, with several of GM's vehicles with Versatrak, and its reason for the problem and its "warranty reference number", I realized there was a serious problem that GM wanted covered up. The dealer, GMPP and GM customer service initially said they were not aware of such "moaning" problems and insisted my initial claim must have been a "courtesy" despite my work order saying otherwise and sending them copies of the Bulletin. I paid 500.00 myself to have the fluid flushed and refilled - the moaning went away.
I finally went through GM Executive Committee in Canada, who, after some digging, sent me an e-mail saying I was in fact "covered under warranty at 75K but GMPP said it was a customer routine responsibility." I said GM failed to repair my vehicle properly at 75K - only masking the problem. I went through BBB but that meant nothing to GM. GM did send me a cheque for 250.00 as a courtesy but I had to sign a form absolving them of liability. I returned the cheque because the GM Bulletin said - if rear assembly is not repaired by doing the flush - the rear assembly would have to be replaced.
July -2010- 163K - moaning returns. I contacted GM Executive Committee and they said that if I wanted to trade in my 03 Silhouette in on a new vehicle they would sweetin' the deal; however, there is nothing more they could do now.
Perhaps, if enough people flood their concern directly to GM Executive in Canada and BBB - This MIGHT get some positive results. Other than that, it's been a great vehicle. However, in good conscience, I could not trade or sell this vehicle without giving this history - virtually zero selling value.
July 2008 - At 115K - (under 4yr ext. GM delux warranty)- moaning returned. This time dealer called GMPP and said the work done at 75K must have been done as a courtesy not under warranty - the dealer agreed. After producing my work order and calling/e-mailing GMPP and GM CUSTOMER SERVICE they still believed it was classed as a "courtesy" not warranty. I was met with "we don't do oil changes for customers."
After reading the Bulletin referring to this problem, with several of GM's vehicles with Versatrak, and its reason for the problem and its "warranty reference number", I realized there was a serious problem that GM wanted covered up. The dealer, GMPP and GM customer service initially said they were not aware of such "moaning" problems and insisted my initial claim must have been a "courtesy" despite my work order saying otherwise and sending them copies of the Bulletin. I paid 500.00 myself to have the fluid flushed and refilled - the moaning went away.
I finally went through GM Executive Committee in Canada, who, after some digging, sent me an e-mail saying I was in fact "covered under warranty at 75K but GMPP said it was a customer routine responsibility." I said GM failed to repair my vehicle properly at 75K - only masking the problem. I went through BBB but that meant nothing to GM. GM did send me a cheque for 250.00 as a courtesy but I had to sign a form absolving them of liability. I returned the cheque because the GM Bulletin said - if rear assembly is not repaired by doing the flush - the rear assembly would have to be replaced.
July -2010- 163K - moaning returns. I contacted GM Executive Committee and they said that if I wanted to trade in my 03 Silhouette in on a new vehicle they would sweetin' the deal; however, there is nothing more they could do now.
Perhaps, if enough people flood their concern directly to GM Executive in Canada and BBB - This MIGHT get some positive results. Other than that, it's been a great vehicle. However, in good conscience, I could not trade or sell this vehicle without giving this history - virtually zero selling value.
03 Silhouette
09-05-2010, 03:06 PM
Update -just bought 4 - 500ml bottles of Versatrak fluid ($200.00CDN including tax) plus $30.00 to drain and fill rear fluid. As this is my 2nd fluid change in 90,000KM, this time I elected not to have the new fluid flushed out right away and to put another 200.00 worth of fluid back in as suggested by GM . I drove around in a "figure 8" for about 20 minutes; however, the moaning only comes back when turning left sometimes. Hopefully this will do it for another 2 years.
krivasauto
10-17-2010, 01:51 PM
July 2006 -At 75K (100K PTW) - moaning noise. Dealer called GM -They said there was a bulletin on the problem. They paid full shot under warranty - about $500.00CDN.
July 2008 - At 115K - (under 4yr ext. GM delux warranty)- moaning returned. This time dealer called GMPP and said the work done at 75K must have been done as a courtesy not under warranty - the dealer agreed. After producing my work order and calling/e-mailing GMPP and GM CUSTOMER SERVICE they still believed it was classed as a "courtesy" not warranty. I was met with "we don't do oil changes for customers."
After reading the Bulletin referring to this problem, with several of GM's vehicles with Versatrak, and its reason for the problem and its "warranty reference number", I realized there was a serious problem that GM wanted covered up. The dealer, GMPP and GM customer service initially said they were not aware of such "moaning" problems and insisted my initial claim must have been a "courtesy" despite my work order saying otherwise and sending them copies of the Bulletin. I paid 500.00 myself to have the fluid flushed and refilled - the moaning went away.
I finally went through GM Executive Committee in Canada, who, after some digging, sent me an e-mail saying I was in fact "covered under warranty at 75K but GMPP said it was a customer routine responsibility." I said GM failed to repair my vehicle properly at 75K - only masking the problem. I went through BBB but that meant nothing to GM. GM did send me a cheque for 250.00 as a courtesy but I had to sign a form absolving them of liability. I returned the cheque because the GM Bulletin said - if rear assembly is not repaired by doing the flush - the rear assembly would have to be replaced.
July -2010- 163K - moaning returns. I contacted GM Executive Committee and they said that if I wanted to trade in my 03 Silhouette in on a new vehicle they would sweetin' the deal; however, there is nothing more they could do now.
Perhaps, if enough people flood their concern directly to GM Executive in Canada and BBB - This MIGHT get some positive results. Other than that, it's been a great vehicle. However, in good conscience, I could not trade or sell this vehicle without giving this history - virtually zero selling value.
Oh, please. Send me your van, I'd be happy to drive it and change the fluid every 40,000 miles. Sheesh, people, vehicles need maintenance.
Just curious, what kind of use do you put it to?
July 2008 - At 115K - (under 4yr ext. GM delux warranty)- moaning returned. This time dealer called GMPP and said the work done at 75K must have been done as a courtesy not under warranty - the dealer agreed. After producing my work order and calling/e-mailing GMPP and GM CUSTOMER SERVICE they still believed it was classed as a "courtesy" not warranty. I was met with "we don't do oil changes for customers."
After reading the Bulletin referring to this problem, with several of GM's vehicles with Versatrak, and its reason for the problem and its "warranty reference number", I realized there was a serious problem that GM wanted covered up. The dealer, GMPP and GM customer service initially said they were not aware of such "moaning" problems and insisted my initial claim must have been a "courtesy" despite my work order saying otherwise and sending them copies of the Bulletin. I paid 500.00 myself to have the fluid flushed and refilled - the moaning went away.
I finally went through GM Executive Committee in Canada, who, after some digging, sent me an e-mail saying I was in fact "covered under warranty at 75K but GMPP said it was a customer routine responsibility." I said GM failed to repair my vehicle properly at 75K - only masking the problem. I went through BBB but that meant nothing to GM. GM did send me a cheque for 250.00 as a courtesy but I had to sign a form absolving them of liability. I returned the cheque because the GM Bulletin said - if rear assembly is not repaired by doing the flush - the rear assembly would have to be replaced.
July -2010- 163K - moaning returns. I contacted GM Executive Committee and they said that if I wanted to trade in my 03 Silhouette in on a new vehicle they would sweetin' the deal; however, there is nothing more they could do now.
Perhaps, if enough people flood their concern directly to GM Executive in Canada and BBB - This MIGHT get some positive results. Other than that, it's been a great vehicle. However, in good conscience, I could not trade or sell this vehicle without giving this history - virtually zero selling value.
Oh, please. Send me your van, I'd be happy to drive it and change the fluid every 40,000 miles. Sheesh, people, vehicles need maintenance.
Just curious, what kind of use do you put it to?
03 Silhouette
10-18-2010, 08:59 AM
I'm a senior with no children at home. No towing (no hitch). Easy driving -highway/rural area. Looks like new.
I routinely have maintained my vehicles without complaint over the years and if a bearing goes or other problems due to wear and tear - that's life.
The only reason this became an issue in the first place was - when I took it in because of the moaning noise it was making - GM didn't say it was a routine fluid change or I would simply have had it changed without question. However, it was GM warranty dept came to me and said it was a warranty issue and that a Bulletin said there was an issue with several of GM's vehicles with Versatrac. They said it was a warranty issue, I didn't. In fact, the Bulletin stated that the issue is so severe that if the noise doesn't stop, the rear axle assembly would need to be replaced -$6000.00 plus. As it stood, on my first visit - GM paid the $500.00 fluid change under warranty. The noise went away.
It doesn't appear that a routine rear differential fluid change would include: draining the fluid, adding $175.00 of new fluid, driving the vehicle in circles for 20 minutes, then drain, then add another another $175.00 of fluid according to GM procedures to remedy the problem.(about $500.00) It is my contention GM only masked the problem the first time because the problem has resurfaced every 2 years since.
The bottom line is - GM called it a warranty issue, I didn't. GM produced a Bulletin identifying the problem which had the dealer refer to a specific warranty number "for those vehicles covered under warranty" - I didn't.
I routinely have maintained my vehicles without complaint over the years and if a bearing goes or other problems due to wear and tear - that's life.
The only reason this became an issue in the first place was - when I took it in because of the moaning noise it was making - GM didn't say it was a routine fluid change or I would simply have had it changed without question. However, it was GM warranty dept came to me and said it was a warranty issue and that a Bulletin said there was an issue with several of GM's vehicles with Versatrac. They said it was a warranty issue, I didn't. In fact, the Bulletin stated that the issue is so severe that if the noise doesn't stop, the rear axle assembly would need to be replaced -$6000.00 plus. As it stood, on my first visit - GM paid the $500.00 fluid change under warranty. The noise went away.
It doesn't appear that a routine rear differential fluid change would include: draining the fluid, adding $175.00 of new fluid, driving the vehicle in circles for 20 minutes, then drain, then add another another $175.00 of fluid according to GM procedures to remedy the problem.(about $500.00) It is my contention GM only masked the problem the first time because the problem has resurfaced every 2 years since.
The bottom line is - GM called it a warranty issue, I didn't. GM produced a Bulletin identifying the problem which had the dealer refer to a specific warranty number "for those vehicles covered under warranty" - I didn't.
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