Here is the situation.

Mrs. Gobbles CTS has had many problems since we purchased it. It is a 2008 Cadillac CTS, purchased used in Dec 2009 from a Cadillac/Chevy/Honda dealership.

Since we've owned it, it has been in the shop several times.

First, the "we owe" stuff that actually turned into a list of problems that would have kept the car from even passing MD inspection, yet it was sold to us.

1. None of the driver's side power accessories were working.
2. Brake rotors all warped
3. Trunk leak (which we think contributed to the fuse blowing that lead to #1)

I didn't notice any of these problems as it was snowing the day we test drove and purchased the car. Never got it above 30 mph. Lesson learned. It took the better part of a week, but they fixed that stuff and returned the car.

Come to find out the brakes were not fixed. They turned the rotors to minimums (I'm guessing hoping she wouldn't notice or would be satisfied with the improvement). The engine also developed a ticking sound. This is late Dec/early Jan timeframe. Ticking sound = valvetrain.

We send it back in and I have to force them to replace the rotors at no cost to us. The ticking sound was due to oil. We were told by the service rep that the car had been in their inventory for close to a year and it needed an oil change. Oil changed and the ticking noise is gone. Trunk still leaking. Had to bring in some specialist to fix. We lost use of the car for 4 days that time around.

Fast forward to today, and the drivers door will not shut and latch. I am already sitting in traffic going to work when I get that call from Mrs. Gobbles. I call the dealership to see what needs to be done:


Me: (explain the history above and we've only had the car, purchased from them, for 2 months)
Service rep: "Tell her to bring it in."
Me: "You want me to tell my wife to drive her car when the door won't shut???"
Service rep: "Well, you need to get it here. I guess you can tow it here."
Me: "At whose cost? I'm not paying for that."
Service rep: "Well we aren't paying for it." (I have roadside assistance from GM through this dealership BTW, which he does not offer to arrange)
Me: "You can't seriously expect my wife to endanger her life to get the car to you."
Service rep: "Well there is nothing we can do for you from here."

The door finally does latch so she takes it over and drops it off for service.

I have spoken to the Service Manager, and let him know that I am not happy at all with the situation and this will not go away until it's resolved 100% to my satisfaction. He was very apologetic, and is being cooperative.

Maryland's laws are not pro-consumer on this issue, especially as it is a used car. I have found some good reference to the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act since the vehicle is still under the original factory warranty, but that's about it.


Long story short -- What are our options? This car will clearly continue to have random problems, and Mrs. Gobbles wants it gone. Do we have any recourse with the dealership? (take the vehicle back, exchange it for a new one, etc.) Or are we stuck dealing with big GM?

At a minimum I am considering filing with the Better Business Bureau (does that even effect anyone anymore) and absolutely CRUCIFYING them on the service questionnaire we'll get from GM after this service is completed. I think that effects their 5 star rating if everything is not answered "perfect" or something.

Thanks in advance.

 

Sounds like a 'typical' car dealership experience. That stinks.

I'd have the car towed to them and go see the GM of the dealership. Go RIGHT to them. If they won't help go up the chain of command.

Was the car a 'Certified Pre-Owned' or just a 'used' car?

Sorry man.

 

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure it was CPO, but won't be able to verify until I get home and look at the paperwork.

 

If they aren't accomodating, I would go Gobbles (aka Liam Neson) style on them a la your sig.

I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.

 

Someone on this board got their CTS-V returned due to lemon law... who was it?

 

^ I wanna say Fuel&Fire....But I think his was brand new when bought though

 

That is the impression I have given them. Though I have to walk a fine line as I'm involved with a lot of community and other local political circles that involve the owner and senior management of the dealership. I am pulling those strings as well, but it may be much more satisfying to just nuke them.

 

Fuel&Fire, IIRC.

Them Caddy CTSs sure sound like a lot of trouble.

 

That would be me

But I'm in Cali (much more lemon law friendly) and it was a CPO (bought it used). I had numerous issues, but the main one was a faulty oil temp sensor that I had to bring in 5 times and they basically told me they couldnt fix it. I had the car for about 2 years and 40k miles, and had problems from day one!! Finally hired an attorney, and he just sent them a letter, they looked into the history, and bought the car back no problem, no inspection, etc.... Gave me all my money back. It was pretty obvious the car was a lemon. I would stay away from Cadillac and the CTS (previous generation at least). Good Luck Gobbles!!

 

Cool, I thought it was you!