So i've only had my 09 LS since march and have been having issues already that started last month. I started noticing a slight vibration during braking but it didnt happen all the time. Now it happens everytime i brake and the steering wheel shakes and knocks with it.
I bought the extended warranty coverage with the car, AND was told when i bought it that the brakes were new (after emailing dealership last week found out they only machined the rotors). Is this covered by any of my warranty or am i hooped? I shouldnt need to replace the brakes after 4 or 5 months.
Also, just had the oil done and found out the serpentine belt is barely staying together! REALLY??!!! WTF? Shouldn't this have been dealt with by the dealership? Besides all that, i still love the car LOL
Just need to know if i'm covered by the warranty... Thanks guys!

 

You really need to talk to the dealership itself, or sit down and read the warranty paperwork to determine what is covered by the warranty you purchased. We can't guess what warranty it is, and what the warranty covers.

Machining the rotors to me is just a stop-gap measure - the problem will likely come back. I'd take it back to the shop that told you the brakes were new. They should warranty it themselves, especially since they misrepresented the "fix". In other words - resurfaced rotors do not equal new brakes.

The serpentine belt: who told you that it was just staying together? If it was a local garage or one of those oil-change only shops, I'd eye-ball the belt myself to confirm. Look for worn down protrusions, cracks, frayed edges etc.. The belts typically will run for over a 100,000 miles some say, so I kinda smell a scam happening.

 

Just because you have only owned the car for 5 months does not mean it is only 5 months old, right? Total mileage is more important. Generally speaking brakes are considered non warranty parts, since the seller has no control over wear or use or maintenance. It is an almost 5 year old car, don't expect a brand new everything!

I am planning another "judder" experiment soon. Since the brake pedal does not pulsate on mine, I'm going to replace the struts. I am betting that's my cause.

Every time you take your car to a shop they have a checkoff sheet based on age and mileage that will "recommend" services. Most of the advisors don't understand that this is a recommendation for them to get off their FAs and investigate if there is a "need" to perform the service, not a recommendation to perform the service. Most of them will take the sheet as some Gospel handed down from on high, and try to scare unsuspecting motorists into handing over cash.

I cite the GM Dealerships that routinely "recommend" HHR owners have their power steering fluid flushed. There is NO fluid in the Electronic Power Steering. Not even mentioning that power steering fluid hardly ever "needs" to be flushed in cars that have it, just because there is a 1,000,000,000,000,000:1 chance of a failure. Same goes for "TPMS Service" when you get new tires.

 

Ghost09,

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing an issue with your vehicle. We will be happy to look into your concern and check into any questions you may have about your warranty. Please private message us.

Regards,

Jennifer T. (Assisting Jessica L.)
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

I totally get what you guys are saying, but when i bought it, (from a GM dealership with the "GM Total Plus Warranty") the salesman told me the brakes were brand new pads and rotors, I've made an appointment with them for next week about this....The car only has 80,000km and when i checked the belt myself at home it was cracked all to hell.
I'm going to find and read through my warranty stuff tonight....Thanks for the input guys! Really appreciate it!

Thanks for the offer Jennifer, i will message you if things dont go well at the dealership LOL

 

Who'd a thunk it, a used car dealer lied?

Maybe they did do a brake job, but did not adjust the rears. That will kill front pads real fast. I am a fan of machining rotors to save my money, but it is irresponsible to do it without changing pads at the same time.

Some cracking of the belt is normal and OK. I don't know a possible cause for early decay.

 

LOL i know right? i thought i was being safe by going to a "real" dealership but i guess not haha I know some cracking is normal but this looks like a desert floor...There isnt an inch that isnt cracked. So far the dealer seems to want to help but we'll see monday lol

 

I recently took advantage of a local shop free brake inspection, I still have 50 percent of brake life left and had the rear brakes adjusted, my 2006 2lt has just over 62,000 miles the brakes will last longer than me at 81 1/2 years young so Ill just keep on driving and enjoying my HHR, YIPPEE

 

LOL - good on you Jay. Keep on truckin man.

 

^ What he said!