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Saturn (GM) STANDARD OPERATING PROCEEDURE
When we at GM discover an epidemic costly flaw in our cars (like
casting flaws in our cylinder heads that will cause the head to
eventually CRACK); and before we become aware of the problem, tens of
thousands of cars with the flaw have gone off the assembly line to
dealers and customers
We withold that information (sending out a service notice) for as
long
as we can- so as to get as many of those cars affected, OVER the
warranty period. That way, we are not liable to cover the cost of the
repair or replacement and we are able to cut our loses!
Also: If a new car customer who has been taking his car to the dealer
for regular scheduled maintainance, CHANGES ADDRESS, and the dealer
fails to notify the company of the new address and because of this
dealer failure- we send out a service notice to the old address and
thus the notice never reaches the customer:
When the service notice is returned to us as "undeliverable"; we will
NOT make any attempt to reach the customer at his new address and
notify him of the service notice. We are not liable for our dealer's
failure nor will we take any action against our dealer for this
failure
in an attempt to compensate the customer,should he have been unaware
of
the notice and suffers a costly repair bill after his warranty has
run
out!
Anyone who doubts the above policy can contact (among many others):
Grand Rapids (Michigan) Saturn.
(That is; if anyone there admits his knowledge of and has the COURAGE
to verify the above policy)
signed.
Michael Cohrman
misterf...@yahoo.com
The above policy is known by many but I have never seen it posted
anywhere. If you want to verify or deny the above policy from your
own
experience- please do!
Want specific examples of GM witholding costly information on their
cars? Contact: misterfact@yahoo.com
Patricia of Bath ME (9/15/03):
Cylinder head cracked, Saturn is aware there is a problem but their
position is, if it didn't happen in 6 years or 100,000 miles
(whichever
came first) I'm out of luck. Of course the local dealer will fix it
for
$1,800. I own a 1994 Saturn SW1 with 94,502 miles. The service
bullentin came out in 1999. I believe that they knew it to be a
defect
in the parts they used and it should be fixed no matter what the age
of
the car.
Of couse they would like the public to think that after their
timeframe
the car will never have the problem or by magic it will repair
itself.
If the only humans worked this way after 6 years all birth defects
would just disappear. What a wonderful world it would be. All I have
to
say is -- dream on, Saturn. I can't wait to get the car fixed and
trade
it in for another car.
Re: GM standard operating proceedure [ To: misterfact | Post
296013896, reply to 296013865 ] (Score: 2)
Cylinder head cracked, Saturn is aware there is a problem but their
position is, if it didn't happen in 6 years or 100,000 miles
(whichever came first) I'm out of luck.
(think I'm going to buy a Toyota pickup. I've always been a Dodge man,
and I'd love to have a new Cummins, but I think I'm done with American
auto companies.
I think I want a Toyota or a Nissan, club cab, full size. Something my
dogs can ride in with me.
.
misterfact
(nonconformist)
Saturn recalls
misterfact
(nonconformist)
01/18/08 09:54 AM
Re: GM standard operating proceedure [ To: Jhoffa_ | Post
296013960, reply to 296013929 ] (Score: 1)
Saturn has made over 100,000 cars with casting flaws in their cylinder
heads. The flaw causes the head to crack- usually after the warranty
expires.
This figure was given to me by a Saturn "insider".
Summary:
We were very happy with our Saturn until the warranty ran out. As far
as I am concerned these lemons have built in flaws.With only 56000
miles and a dedicated maintanance regime we now face a $4000.00 repair
cost for replacing something on just about everything. Speed sensor,
transmission valve and a computer overhaul. We thought we had made a
good choice when we bought this car 6 years ago. My wife loved it. We
were treated great by all the staff at Saturn and it seemed to us that
we were getting a fine automobile......Then the warranty ran out and
so did all the friendlyness. We now face a bill almost 1/4 the size of
what we paid for it originaly. We are going to do the minimum to get
it running and dump this turkey. We have started looking around for a
minivan and believe me, it won't be a Saturn. They should be ashamed
of themselves for foisting an inferior product on trusting people.
(But I doubt they are.)
Weaknesses:
Constant problems with the air conditioning.I bet you've read that one
before. Things start falling apart after the warranty expires. too
many built in flaws in my opinion.
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misterfact
(maverick)
04/12/08 09:53 AM
Re: GM standard operating proceedure [ To: misterfact | Post
296172871, reply to 296013865 ] (Score: 1)
Dear Mister Fact;
I also am very frustrated with the integrity of the
saturn car dealership here in Holland, Michigan. I
have been on top of every check-up in the 43,000
miles of my car's life. I own a 2003 Saturn Ion. On
January 28, I took my car in because my coolant
light was on. They couldn't find a leak doing a
pressure test - so then they topped off my coolant
and told me I was okay to drive it. 4 weeks later,
my engine is overheating and upon inspection, they
let me know that my cylinder head is cracked and my
engine needs to be replaced. 43,000 miles!! I did
everything to the "t" as far as car upkeep: oil
changes, 30,000k tune up, tire rotation, fluid
check, etc... and the Saturn of Holland, Michigan
aren't owning up to their role in this mess nor am I
getting anywhere with the customer service rep. at
Do you have any advice/tips to pursue this further
or get someone to own up to the poor quality of
service and the horrible products they are making?
They told me that I probably had a 'lemon' - that
one car that was made on a Friday afternoon before
the weekend ---- and the engine was probably faulty
Thanks in advance for getting back to me about this.