Complaint Review: GMAC

I just picked up a 2003 Avalanche on 2/25/03. On the second day (2/27/03) of owning the truck the Service 4WD light came on. It had only 120 miles on the truck at the time and the 4WD had never been used.

I called my dealer and set up an appointment for 3/4/03 to put it on the scanner and find out what codes were stored and try to figure out the problem.On the third day of ownership the light came on again and aslo on the fifth day it came on again.

3-4-03 UPDATE: Just got back from the dealer. They found code C0327. They handed me a document with ID # 1243149 which stated 4WD LIGHT, 4WD INOPERATIVE, DTCs C0327, P0836, P0500 (PERMANENT FIX NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME) #03-0-21-001 - (02/14/2003)

I do not have the time right know to type the whole thing in but the gist of the document is that there is a problem with one of the modules and to replace it with a new one at this time is not going to help. So the bottom line is I may or may not have 4WD when I need it and they have know idea when they will have a fix.

There only solution was to remove the 4WD fuse so that the 4WD system would be inoperative. If the module failed when in 4WD it would be stuck in 4WD. Then I would not be able to drive it. Not sure what to do at this point. If anybody has experience with this condition I would appreciate it if you would tell your story.

I did a little reading on some Avalanche Forums Prior to purchasing this truck and read about various trucks having this problem. Most of the replies to question about this problem were answered with "The dealer changed out Various control Modules or that the Switch was replaced or they found a loose connection." During the discussions with my dealer to purchase the truck I asked specifically about the problem and if there were any know defects in this system.

His answer was he had heard of the problem and that it was not a big deal that most of the time the switch or the module would be switched and the problem was solved. I made my discussion to purchase the Avalanche with the knowledge that if this issue arises that it would probably happen right away and would be covered under the warranty. I guess you can never do enough research prior to a purchase like this and you can never believe most of the dealers answers to your questions.

My point about the dealer answers to the questions is that the document is dated (02/14/2003). It was already a known issue that there was no repair available prior to my purchase. Had I been advised of these issues not being able to be repaired I would not have purchased this product.

I know BUYER BEWARE. I feel that these issues and any other non repairable issues should be disclosed at the time of purchase. Basically my dealer has told me there is nothing that they can do for me until GM has a fix. They will not take the car back. They told me it is GM's problem now. My answer to them is it was my problem and as long as I have to own this car it is going to be the dealers problem also. Basically I paid $4000 extra for a 2 WD Avalanche.

These are the vehicles listed on the document that are effected:

2003 Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe, Silverado, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL 4 wheel drive problem

RANT OFF!!!!!

Michael
Bay Shore, New York
U.S.A.