So....thinking I have a lemon...

[pa-yukon]

I picked up my 2015 Denali XL on 12/30/2014. The original one I ordered on Oct. 8th was never built by then, and I wanted to take ownership by the end of the year, so the dealer located one for me 75 miles away. I took that one.

This vehicle seems to have chronic issues. 2 weeks after purchasing, my rear liftgate arm was malfunctioning, causing the liftgate to start to open then slam down on my head. 2 trips to the dealership, one replacement arm, now all is working there.

Then at about 1200 miles, I started getting messages on my dash that I needed to tighten the gas cap. Odd, since I hadn't just recently filled up. Kept getting the message then my check engine light came on. Long story short, it's been in the shop 3 times for this check engine light - most recently as of Friday, and it's back on again today.

(Check engine light message is that there is a problem with the fuel tank and it's sensing a leak/lack of pressure.)

I am beginning to think this vehicle has major issues, and wondering what my next steps should be. I'm in PA so we have the Lemon Law, which states that after a 'reasonable number of attempts' to fix the issue allows me to request a buy-back. What is a reasonable number? It's been in 3 times for this issue, 2 times for the liftgate, and I just clicked 3000 miles this weekend...haven't even had an oil change yet! They have replaced the fuel cap sensor, a filter, and a valve - all which have not fixed this problem.

Appreciate any thoughts/suggestions, and especially interested in anyone else having the same issue. My service guy told me GMC told him only 1 other issue like this has been reported

 

[WBHMSU]

CSB time. Two vehicles ago I purchased a new 2010 Yukon SLT 4x4. It was late June if I recall and the # of 2010s on the lots were dwindling as they were making way for the 2011s so I got a nice deal on a vehicle that had been sitting on the lot for awhile.

Within about a week, the motor for the driver's side power seat died. Shortly after that, I got a random check engine light on. The dealership that I had purchased the vehicle at was 20 miles across town, so I had it serviced at one a few miles away. Replaced seat motor, figured out what was going on with the computer malfunction for the check engine light and supposedly fixed that.

Got it home, check engine light goes on again a few days later. Starting to get pissed. I called the same dealer to gripe about it but they didn't GAF. Basically just said I could schedule it for service again. Few days later, the rear wiper quit working. I was incensed. Called the dealer again. Same song and dance - we can get you in for service! But no one seemingly cared about the bigger picture. I had the service scheduled 10 days out or so.

4th of July weekend was up at the lake with my in laws and the wife, sister in law and I drove in my car to see the Blue Angels in Traverse City. It was like 95 that day with Florida-like humidity. Got in the car after the show for the ~ 40 minute drive home and the A/C wouldn't work. I shit you not. Tried turning on and off multiple times. Restarting. It was just blowing hot air. Not sure if the steam coming out of my ears was from the heat or the anger on the drive back.

I found a customer support line for GM. I actually talked to a real live human on the Saturday of 4th of July weekend, had a support specialist assigned to my case who called me back within the hour and started trying to reach out to dealers in my area where I was on vacation. They made a note of all of the issues I had to date and seemed genuine about taking care of me in terms of the 'big picture'. First step was to get the A/C fixed, have the dealer examine the car and if I experienced further issues we were going to see about getting a new vehicle.

They found me a dealer back home that got me in early the next week, gave me a loaner and acted like they shared my big picture concerns, gave the vehicle a full inspection, fixed the A/C. The support specialist kept in touch with me I want to say for the next month or two, but the amazing thing is I never had another problem with that vehicle - not even a minor one. It ended up being my favorite vehicle I've ever owned.

TlR - call someone at Corporate. Make sure you let them know that you think you have a lemon and ask them to outline what steps you have to take to prove it. Odds are you are having some flukey issues and you'll be fine in the long run but get your story on the record with Corporate. Dealers are only going to take care of your warranty work and not give a rip about the over-arching issue.

I think this was who I got in touch with, but as mentioned it was 5+ years ago:

http://www.gmc.com/contact-us/call.html

Customer Relations Center Details:
1-800-462-8782
Monday - Saturday: 8 am to 9 pm (EST)
Sunday: Closed

Good luck man.

 

[Tahoe14]

Just went through this in Florida. You need to look up the Lemon Law in your State and follow it to a T. You can let GM Customer Service know about your issues but they were a joke for me. Good luck.

 

[pa-yukon]

Thanks for the replies. Finally spoke to the GM at the dealership, and I spoke with GMC Customer Relations. Everything is logged and documented. Taking it back in tomorrow for them to drive it with the computer hooked up to see exactly when and where the problem is coming from. This is their last shot to fix it before I ask for a replacement vehicle. Seems like this is the only instance this is happening repeatedly, according to GMC...lucky me!

Will keep this thread updated...and would like to hear if anyone else has had similar issues...

 

[JRAVN0823]

We have had 2 Suburbans with repeat EVAP issues. Both ended up having a cracked EVAP canister. Both were broke in the same spot in the seam.


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[AZRiverRunner]

I know how frustrated you must be. I had issues with my 2005 H2 when we bought it in October of 2004. The issues began the first morning after purchase, when the battery was dead. As WBMSU did the same, once I contacted GM support, the dealer gave me a new Yukon to drive while they figured out the problem on my new H2. Turned out that they installed a 2004 air suspension component on my 2005 vehicle, that was not compatible. I still own that H2 and it's been a great vehicle with no other problems in the first 10 years, a few minor things recently, but expected for a vehicle of that age and miles.

I really believe that GM builds great vehicles, I've owned many since then, from 2008-2013 I had a Mercedes Benz that was in the shop every few months for the first 5 years of it's life. I sold that car as soon as my extended warranty ran out. Fuel tank cracked, panoramic sunroof motors, cam position sensors (E550), check engine light for mysterious reasons that were never found...etc. My daughter just bought a new BMW 328i, it won't recognize her iPhone 6, BMW says that phone is too new???

Hang in there, I hope they do the same for you and fix your Denali.

 

[pa-yukon]

Update

I truly do have a lemon. After bringing it in Tuesday, they decided it was the fuel tank cap that was the problem and replaced it. Picked it up Wednesday (yesterday) morning, started driving home to see my "tighten gas cap" message appear as I was pulling into the gas station to fill up. After filling up and driving home the 2 miles, I pulled in the garage to get out of my vehicle only to be overwhelmed by the smell of gas. Pulled it back out to see a puddle on my painted garage floor...drove it right back to the dealer (7 miles away) and had it spewing 4+ gallons of gas as I drove!! WTH!! I could have blown up. Unbelievable.

They rented a Suburban for me... and we are definitely talking replacement vehicle as this one is a complete and utterly unsafe mess.

Dealer is willing to work with me as I am scared to death to drive that vehicle again. However, now I'm having a problem with GMC calling me back to get the ball rolling on this... so far I am not thrilled with their senior advisor who is handling my case. 3 unreturned phonecalls in the last 18 hours. Anyone have a number of a higher department to call?

 

[12many]

That is dangerous. They probably don't have the money to buy it back . . . or maybe they do.

"General Motors Co. on Thursday reported net income of $945 million in the first quarter, up significantly from the same period a year ago"

The dealer I spoke to said they had to buy back two of the 2015d, but none of the 2015i so far.

 

[Tahoe14]

pa-yukon, I would not even try to deal with GM Customer NO Service. They are a joke. I would just start the Lemon Law procedure for your state. You are going to be very stressed, angry, pissed off and disappointed with Customer Service.

 

[pa-yukon]

The Dealership has really stepped up here and in less than 24 hours has approved my request for a replacement vehicle (they have a new one on the lot exactly like mine but with the premium pkg additional), have set it aside for me and now waiting on paperwork from the District GM Rep to finalize the buy back and swap. Funny though, GMC Customer Relations has no clue what is going on, so for future reference, work with your dealer and the District GMC Rep - they are the ones who can actually get something done for you!!