Jack Schmitt Chevrolet ripoff - General Motors Chevrolet Division ripoff Lemon Car Air Bags won't work right O'Fallon Illinois

JOHN H. WYATT III
Mascoutah IL 62258

To Whom It May Concern,

I package services a documented history of the on going problem with General Motors and Jack Schmitt Chevrolet Dealership.

Jack Schmitt Chevrolet Chevrolet Motor Division
127 Regency Park Drive Customer Assistance Center
O'Fallon IL 62269 PO Box 7047
(618) 628-2500 Troy MI 48007-7047

I have provided the entire service request in chronological order of the work that has been requested and performed on my Chevrolet Venture Van (VIN Number) 1GNDX03EXXD234158.

I originally went into Jack Schmitt Chevrolet in November of 1998 to purchase a new Chevrolet Venture Van. I ordered the van since they did not have one on the lot my wife and I liked at the time we decided to purchase the vehicle. I was called back in about two weeks from the individual who sold me the vehicle and he asked me if it was o.k. to order the van through Jack Schmitt Chevrolet in Freeburg. He also stated it would take at least three more months to receive my vehicle if I wait to order it through the Belleville dealership. I told him that it would be all right to order it through the Freeburg dealership as long as I could still bring it to the Belleville dealership for maintenance. He informed me that any Jack Schmitt dealership would perform maintenance on any vehicle purchase from one of their dealership. I picked up my vehicle in March 1999 from the Jack Schmitt Chevrolet dealership in Freeburg. At the time I picked up the vehicle it only had 10 miles on the vehicle. This was the last time I drove the vehicle without some sort of problem.

Upon traveling to in July 1999 Michigan I began to hear a noise under the hood. Once I returned I took my vehicle in to Jack Schmitt (Belleville) to have it looked at on 6 Aug 99 (Tab A). I reported that the cowling around the passenger window was loose and there was a noise coming from under the hood that I suspected was the cruise control module hitting something inside. They put a small piece of form on the inside of the left fender and replaced the mounting bracket. They also placed the cowling on order.

(Tab B) In November 1999 I called Jack Schmitt in Belleville for an appointment and they could not get me in for two weeks so I called Jack Schmitt in Freeburg and was able to get an appointment the next day. Below is a list of problems I was having. I was provided a courtesy car.

1. The Oil Pump was noisy
2. Cowling around the windshield was bubbled.
3. Cruise Control module was making noise again. (2)
4. Side mirrors where faded and turning white.
5. When the vehicle is in park it jerks.
6. There was a foul smell and high-pitched squeal coming from the heater.

Here is a list of work that was performed on the vehicle as indicated by their service ticket.

1. Oil pump was replaced
2. Cowling around the windshield was ordered
3. Cruise Control brace was loose (Note: This was replaced just 90 days before). They re-tapped the threads in the wheel well and installed new bolt to secure the brace.
4. Waxed the mirrors/Replaced both outside mirrors.
5. Cleaned the fuel injector
6. They could not smell or hear the high pitch squeal.

Note: Cowling for door was order in Aug 99, 90 days later no call from the dealership to replace it.

11 Feb 00 (Tab C) Went to the Freeburg dealership again, due to fact we could not get an appointment in Belleville. I was provided a courtesy car.

1. Grind noise heard under hood
2. Poor acceleration
3. Vehicle shakes when you start and stop.

Here were their fixes.

1. Noise heard possibly related to oil pump or transmission fitting (No fix)
2. Acceleration problem they considered normal
3. They could not feel the vehicle shake, check central computer, and it had latest program.

Note: Still having problems with poor acceleration.

21 - 25 Apr 00 (Tab D) Was able to get appointment with Belleville dealership. I was provided a rental car.

1. Vehicle still shakes and vibrates at idle and jerks when driving also loss of power when accelerating.
2. Engine squeaks when starting.
3. Power sliding door will not open properly.
4. Can hear squeaking when braking
5. Can hear squeaking noise from left door.
6. Can hear noise when driving (suspect cruise control module)
7. Center cup holder in front is cracked.

Here were their fixes:

1. When they test-drove it they cannot duplicate problem.
2. Could not duplicate problem.
3. Found dirty connection on power sliding door module, cleaned contacts.
4. Could not duplicate problem.
5. Could not duplicate problem.
6. Could not duplicate problem.
7. Order part for cup holder.
Note: Still having problems with the items they could not duplicate.
5 Jun 00 (Tab E) Belleville (Given a shuttle ride, not offered a rental car) (Had vehicle for three days)

1. Can hear squeak noise from passenger side window when rolling up.
2. Cup Holder will not folder down properly.
3. Air Bag light comes on when driving. C8800 (1)

Here are their fixes:

1. Window was cleaned and lubed
2. Cup holder replaced. (Note: Same cup holder from previous trip to dealership)
3. Replaced Coil to fix Air Bag light.

19 27 Jul 00 (Tab F) Belleville (Rental Car was provided after asking for one; Service department did not offer one)

1. Air Bag light comes on when driving. C8817 (2)
2. Engine stalled once.
3. Rear air compressor will not work
4. Passenger window has a sticky substance on it.
5. Drive side window squeaks when rolling up.
6. Odor coming from the A/C

Here were their fixes:

1. Poor connection at the SDM. Replaced module wiring to the SMD Module.
2. Could not duplicate problem.
3. Replaced compressor to pressure limiter valve
4. Replace weather strip and cleaned glass
5. Replaced motor in driver side door
6. Per GM Bulletin D3320 they coated evaporator to reduce odor (I guess not true fix)

15 16 Nov 00 (Tab G) (Was provided a rental when I requested one)

1. Inside panels are coming off both passenger and driver door. (Suspect they where never put on correctly after last trip in)
2. When idling can feel the vehicle shake and acts like it wants to die
3. Defroster makes popping noise when you first turn it on.
4. Cup holder not working properly.
5. AC vents won't move.
6. Can hear a ticking noise coming from the engine
7. Odor coming from heater/defroster.
8. Hear thumping when braking


Here were their fixes.

1. Replaced right and left tab to secure door.
2. Could not duplicate problem
3. Could not duplicate problem
4. Fixed cup holder
5. Cleaned vents and they now work.
6. Can't smell odor from heater or defroster
7. Cleaned and adjust rear brakes no problem found.
Note: Still having problems with items they did not fix.

29 May 01 1 Jun 01 (Tab H) Provided courteously transportation home. When I was called that they where keeping the vehicle overnight I requested a rental car. I had to go pick it.

1. Fluid leak from under Engine
2. Recall notice on vehicle
3. Air Bag light is on again (3)
4. Squeak in right rear area
5. Defroster pops when you turn it on.
6. Hood hard to close
7. Drivers door weather strip is loose
8. Rear wiper washer not working at times
9. Front washer not working right
10. Here noise from rear windows.
11. Jerking when accelerating (How many times can I tell something is wrong)

Here were their fixes:

1. Replaced manifold lower (reference Tab H for better understanding).
2. Recall on actuator replaced.
3. Repaired poor connection at seat connector on Air Bag light. N6614
4. Squeaky noise in right rear area (Replaced right rear trim assembly)
5. Defroster popping (Align actuator linkage) (Note: Second request)
6. Ordered new hood latch.
7. Ordered weather-strip
8. Rear washer normal
9. Front washer normal
10. Lubed glass crank
11. Found Inop Setting code (Replaced solenoid)
12. Also found SES light on code stored. Coil shorting out causing miss fire. (Replaced coil and wires. (Could this been a problem all along just look above for how many times I have taken in for jerking, shaking, etc)
Note: Still having problems with washer.

28 29 Aug 01 (Tab I) (Rental Car provided upon my request)

1. Air Bag light is on again. (4)
2. Rattle under hood I think it is the cruise control module again
3. Hood still does not work.
4. Asked about the weather strip that was ordered for driver side door.

Here were their fixes:

1. Replaced Derm module wiring harness assembly for SIR codes B1005, 105, 1021 and 1040
2. Cruise control module normal to be loose
3. Replaced hood latch
4. Replaced weather strip

28 Sep 01 (Tab J) Courtesy ride to work was provided.

1. Air Bag light on again (5)
2. Still have rattling under hood

Here are their fixes.

1. Could not find any code so they could not fix the problem
2. They insulated the cruise control module (Have not heard the noise since this was done, should have done this the first time)

29 31 Oct 01 (Tab K) Was not given a rental car to the best of my knowledge.

1. Air Bag light is on again. (6)
2. Recall

Here were their fixes.

1. Fix PCM Code 1040 (Second fix on this code)
2. Inspected door actuator only had proper codes.

10 Apr 02 (Tab L) Was given a rental (But they tried to charge me for it.)

1. Air Bag light is on again. (7)

Here is their fix:

1. Repaired connection under drive seat wiring for ABS.

8 9 Jul 02 (Tab M) Courtesy ride to work was provided.

1. Air Bag light is on again. (8)

Here is their fix:

1. Repair right side air bag connector (B1005). (Second time this was fixed)

GM finally gave me something for my entire troubles a $1,000 loyalty certificate.

10 12 Sep 02 (Tab N) Was given a rental after my wife requested one.

1. Air Bag light on again. (9)
2. Battery is dead.
3. A/C Odor again
4. Roof mounted temp gauge inoperative
5. Sliding door won't work.

Here were their fixes:

1. Could not find codes because the battery was dead
2. Replaced battery. (The warranty just ran out in March. I can't believe all the other electrical problems with the vehicle didn't cause it to go dead)
3. Deodorized the AC again
4. Replaced temp sensor
5. Replaced wiring connector at motor for sliding door.

As you can see I have been more than patient and tried to work with GM and the dealership about my on going problems with this vehicle. I tried to contact the General Manager for the dealership on four different occasions. Either he/she was not there or he/she would not return my phone calls.

Also, the service department has been truly tough to work with. When my wife brings in the vehicle they tell her they can't duplicate the problem or it is normal. When I bring in the vehicle they seem to find the problem and fix it. So once again we are shown that women know nothing and only the man knows about vehicles. The individual who sold me my vehicle no longer works for Jack Schmitt Chevrolet in O'Fallon.

I would like to know if TSB #01-08-51-004 applies to my vehicle, also what about the GM Dex-Col Class Action Lawsuit. I believe I fall under this Class Action Lawsuit. This would also explain the odor with the AC/Heater/Defroster. Also, I would like to have my van painted as indicated in a GM bulletin see Tab R.

Attached at Tab P is some of the e-mail traffic I have received from GM. Also, under Tab Q is the response from the dealership to U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee to try to get this issue resolve.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.

Very Respectfully,



John H. Wyatt

John
Maschoutah, Illinois

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on GM & GM Products Products