- Report: #6105
Complaint Review: AC Delco and General Motors - Grand Blanc Michigan
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AC Delco and General Motors
6060 West Bristol Road Grand Blanc, 48554 Michigan, U.S.A.
Phone:
(810) 635-5000
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AC Delco Freedom Battery Failure ripoff auto parts Grand Blanc Michigan
My wife, who is 8 1/2 months pregnant, my 1 year old daughter, and me were running errands to prepare for our new arrival. After loading my 99 GMC Sierra, I was shocked when my engine would not turn over. I instantly assumed the battery was dead. I asked for a jump from a total stranger, only to find that the positive terminal had completely separated from the battery. The battery was an AC Delco Freedom 78 6yr battery.
Assuming that a product with a manufacturing defect would be covered by my warranty, I called the GMC Roadside Assistance for a tow to the nearest GMC dealer. My pregnant wife, my daughter, and me had to sit there in 94 degree heat for an hour and a half for the tow truck to pick us up. The tow truck driver said he sees AC Delco battery failures all the time. They are always on the positive terminal.
The truck was dropped off after hours, so I left the key with a detailed report on the defect in the battery. The next day, I found out that the battery was not under warranty because within two years I had surpassed the 36,000 miles limit on the warranty. It did not matter that I had purchased an extended warranty when I purchased the truck.
After several phone calls to other GMC dealers, I came to the conclusion that GMC would not stand by their product when obviously there was a problem with a component. My next step toward resolution was to call the AC Delco customer service line.
The customer service rep told me that once the battery is sold to General Motors, the 6 year warranty is void, and the warranty by GM is then valid. I asked him since I was in the market for a new battery if AC Delco was going to do anything to replace my defective battery. I was told that AC Delco was not going to do a thing.
Did I mention that the quote from the GMC dealership to replace my battery, with labor would come to $180. It seems to me that GM knows about the problem, AC Delco knows about the problem, but it is in there best interest to refuse to warranty the battery. There seems to be big money in after market battery replacement.
I chose to replace the battery myself. I am out $80 dollars for the new battery. I also found out that since my battery was not under warranty, I will be paying the towing bill as well, another $75. Add to this all the time spent dealing with the defective battery, and you can understand why I am writing this report. I will tell as many people that will listen to me about getting ripped off by General Motors and AC Delco.
Assuming that a product with a manufacturing defect would be covered by my warranty, I called the GMC Roadside Assistance for a tow to the nearest GMC dealer. My pregnant wife, my daughter, and me had to sit there in 94 degree heat for an hour and a half for the tow truck to pick us up. The tow truck driver said he sees AC Delco battery failures all the time. They are always on the positive terminal.
The truck was dropped off after hours, so I left the key with a detailed report on the defect in the battery. The next day, I found out that the battery was not under warranty because within two years I had surpassed the 36,000 miles limit on the warranty. It did not matter that I had purchased an extended warranty when I purchased the truck.
After several phone calls to other GMC dealers, I came to the conclusion that GMC would not stand by their product when obviously there was a problem with a component. My next step toward resolution was to call the AC Delco customer service line.
The customer service rep told me that once the battery is sold to General Motors, the 6 year warranty is void, and the warranty by GM is then valid. I asked him since I was in the market for a new battery if AC Delco was going to do anything to replace my defective battery. I was told that AC Delco was not going to do a thing.
Did I mention that the quote from the GMC dealership to replace my battery, with labor would come to $180. It seems to me that GM knows about the problem, AC Delco knows about the problem, but it is in there best interest to refuse to warranty the battery. There seems to be big money in after market battery replacement.
I chose to replace the battery myself. I am out $80 dollars for the new battery. I also found out that since my battery was not under warranty, I will be paying the towing bill as well, another $75. Add to this all the time spent dealing with the defective battery, and you can understand why I am writing this report. I will tell as many people that will listen to me about getting ripped off by General Motors and AC Delco.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Rustaholic
Wilkes-barre,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Delco Freedom battery
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, November 25, 2008
Have had several Delco Freedom batteries over the years, and they've always done well for me. Latest one to go dead was in my 1987 GMC van that I bought 2nd hand in Feb 1997 and the battery was already installed. Battery finally failed this month, Nov 2008. Regarding the positive terminal coming apart, it was in there so long that I had to use vice grips and an hammer to loosen the cable bolt, and the battery did not come apart. I've usually experienced 7-9 years on Delco Freedom batteries, but thought 11+ years was pretty impressive! I will continue to buy Delco batteries, maybe I should check first though to see if they're now being made in China.
Mark
Nashville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
battery is 6 years old and still works
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, March 04, 2003
What has your sitting in the 94 degree heat waiting for a tow truck got to do with the quality of the battery? GM'S road side assistance has nothing to do with the battery. Your first problem is, you bought an American made vehicle. I have an AC Delco Freedom battery in my well made Toyota. The battery is 6 years old and so is the car it sits in. I have had no problems out of the battery or the car.
KIRK
BATON ROUGE,Louisiana,
WHO TO SEND COMPLAINTS TO FOR AC DELCO BATTERY FAILURES
#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, September 08, 2002
I sent all of my receipts, and a letter of what happened to my car to the following name and address. I received a check in the mail for the replacement of my battery and starter. Send to: AC DELCO, ATTN: RICH HENDERSON, 130 E. CARPENTER FREEWAY SUITE 123, IRVING, TX 75062.
