The thrill of driving a brand-new truck can quickly turn into frustration when something goes wrong—especially within the first few hundred miles. That’s exactly what happened to George from Owings, Maryland, who purchased a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom with the 2.7L TurboMax engine. Just 594 miles into ownership, George encountered a major engine issue that required a trip back to the dealership. Disappointed with how the situation was handled, George shared his story in the comments section of Edmunds’ 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 review.
Here’s what George wrote:
“Just bought a Silverado Custom with the 2.7 TurboMax 4-cylinder. With 594 miles on it, it starts shaking and shimmying at a light. Hit the gas, and the engine is shaking like crazy. I took my Silverado back to the dealer, and it turned out that two cylinders needed to be replaced! Heritage Chevrolet in Owings Mills, MD, would not switch out the truck for a new one. I am beyond vexed because that truck will never be the same. I could care less about a warranty. How about doing right by your customers and taking back a defective product and fighting it out with GM for sending you a bad truck! The customer always gets the short end of the stick.”
This situation raises significant concerns for truck buyers. After all, purchasing a brand-new vehicle should offer peace of mind and reliability, not costly and time-consuming repairs. George’s frustration with Heritage Chevrolet is rooted in his belief that the dealership should have replaced the truck outright instead of repairing it, given the major defect so early in its life. But why didn’t the dealership take that step?
Why the Dealership Repaired the Truck Instead of Replacing It
From the customer’s perspective, it’s easy to see why George is upset. A major repair like replacing two cylinders feels like a red flag for a truck with less than 600 miles on the odometer. However, dealerships operate under strict guidelines set by manufacturers like General Motors. Here’s why Heritage Chevrolet may have opted to repair the Silverado instead of replacing it:
- Manufacturer Policies on Replacement: Most automakers, including GM, prioritize repairing vehicles under warranty over outright replacement. Dealers are contractually obligated to follow GM’s warranty guidelines, which often dictate that vehicles must undergo repair attempts before a replacement is even considered.
I’ll start with that I feel George’s pain as a person that has purchased a number of new vehicles in my life time and as a former automotive dealership technician.
This story is actually two fold. One being the procedures ( rules and regulations ) that are put in place by the vehicle manufacture for repairing the vehicle. And two, the paperwork involved from the financing side of things.
The story pretty much covers the repair procedure side of things. More than likely George was offered a service loaner while the vehicle was in for repairs. It is not up to George whether he cares or doesn’t care about the warranty, procedures must be followed.
And on the finance side of things. It is not as simple as George giving up his truck and keys and driving away with a different truck. The first ” deal ” must be undone. That would include down payment, financing, taxes, title, tags and so forth.
The dealership would have to purchase the vehicle back. George would than have to go through the whole purchasing part all over again as if it was the first time.
Lets say that the dealership did buy the vehicle back under the direction of the manufacture.
The dealership can do the necessary repairs on that vehicle but than would have to sell it as a used vehicle because it has already been titled once. That’s the law.
Bla, bla, bla
You are either dishonest or uneducated.
Tell George, 3 repairs, or 30 days out of service, then 1.800.lemonlaw.
Kimmel and Silverman will have you out of that piece-of-crap and every penny back in 2 weeks. George won’t pay a dime.
How does a lemon law refund work?
A: If the manufacturer or dealer is unable to repair a serious warranty defect in your vehicle after a “reasonable” number of attempts, the manufacturer must either: • Replace the vehicle. Refund its purchase price (whichever you prefer).
[ Read the words… unable….reasonable number of attempts ]
[ The problem has been repaired at least four times during the vehicle’s warranty period ]
[ at least 4 times….. at least 30 days ]
Maryland’s Lemon Law applies to new or leased vehicles that meet certain criteria:
The vehicle is registered in Maryland
The vehicle is less than 24 months old
The vehicle has been driven less than 18,000 miles
The vehicle has a problem that substantially impairs its use and market value
The problem has been repaired at least four times during the vehicle’s warranty period
The vehicle was out of service for a total of at least 30 days during its warranty period due to a problem
The vehicle’s braking or steering system has been repaired at least once during its warranty period but still doesn’t meet Maryland’s safety inspection laws
To qualify, the defect must be reported to the manufacturer or dealer within the first 2 years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. The consumer must also give the manufacturer or dealer a reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle.
How is a car reported as a lemon?
Generally, if the manufacturer is unable to fix the car after at least four repair attempts to the same defect, or at least two repair attempts for a serious safety defect, or if the vehicle has been out of service for more than 30 calendar days for repairs, it may be considered a lemon.
AnonymousNovember 28, 2024 at 5:03 am. The ball is in your court.
I’m very honest and very educated . I spent 45 years in the automotive / truck repair industry. I just may know a thing or two about how things work.
Cylinder by definition :
a solid geometric figure with straight parallel sides and a circular or oval cross section.
a solid or hollow body, object, or part having the shape of a cylinder.
a piston chamber in a steam or internal combustion engine.
George does not say exactly what or why “2 cylinders ” needed to be replaced.
A cylinder is a hollow body. What components that operate inside that cylinder went bad ?
Or, what other objects may have entered into said cylinders that may have caused damage to the cylinder lining ? The story does not elaborate on what the root cause of the failure was.
The law provides that a dealer or manufacturer must correct a defect within 30 days after the consumer writes to the manufacturer by certified mail. If the manufacturer or dealer is unable to do so, the consumer is entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle under the Lemon Law if the car has:
A brake or steering failure that was not corrected after the first repair attempt, and that causes the vehicle to fail Maryland’s safety inspection; or
Any one problem that substantially impairs the use and market value of the vehicle that was not corrected in four repair attempts; or
Any number of problems that substantially impair the use and market value of the vehicle that have caused it to be out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days.
If you suspect your car is a lemon—for example, if the dealer has tried once or twice unsuccessfully to repair the problem and you believe the problem substantially impairs the use and market value of the vehicle—you should write to the manufacturer immediately. You do not need to wait until the dealer has made the four repair attempts, or until the car has been out of service for 30 days.
I highlighted ( copy – paste ) from the article for those of you that might not have read the entire article.
Why the Dealership Repaired the Truck Instead of Replacing It
From the customer’s perspective, it’s easy to see why George is upset. A major repair like replacing two cylinders feels like a red flag for a truck with less than 600 miles on the odometer. However, dealerships operate under strict guidelines set by manufacturers like General Motors. Here’s why Heritage Chevrolet may have opted to repair the Silverado instead of replacing it:
Manufacturer Policies on Replacement: Most automakers, including GM, prioritize repairing vehicles under warranty over outright replacement. Dealers are contractually obligated to follow GM’s warranty guidelines, which often dictate that vehicles must undergo repair attempts before a replacement is even considered.
Cost of Replacement: Replacing a vehicle is a costly process, and manufacturers often resist doing so unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they prefer to address specific issues through repairs. For a dealership, escalating a replacement request to the manufacturer could be met with significant pushback.
“Lemon Law” Standards: While George’s truck had a major issue, it likely didn’t meet the legal criteria for a “lemon” under Maryland’s Lemon Law. In most cases, a vehicle must undergo multiple unsuccessful repair attempts or remain out of service for an extended period before qualifying for a replacement or buyback.
Warranty Coverage: The warranty, which George dismisses in his comment, is designed to address exactly these types of defects. From the dealership’s point of view, they fulfilled their obligation by diagnosing and repairing the issue under warranty.
And for AnonymousNovember 28, 2024 at 5:03 am. Read above under Maryland’s lemon law.
To make a long story short………….George got screwed !!