NP-246 problem verified by GM (sort of)
July 17th, 2012, 11:38 AM
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NP-246 problem verified by GM (sort of)
I own a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71. Bought it new from the dealer and have properly mainained it. I notice a "clicking" noise while driving that you can only hear with the windows down and when you are near something for it to echo off of.
It was brought to the dealer's attention three seperate times, and the refused to even look at the problem. It is now out of warranty, I had it looked at by a local shop who informed me that the transfer case was shot. They also said that since it was brought to GM's attention while under warranty, they should make good.
I took it to the dealership, and at the same time opened a case with GM Customer service who ASSURED me they would do right. Guess what? They claim it was due to "lack of maintenance" and my responsibility. A transfer case is a closed system that requires fluid change every 50,000 miles, which my truck received. Since there is not a low fluid sensor in the transfer case, how is it my responsiblity to crawl under it and check it?
To make a long story short, I was told that the remanufactured transfer case that was put in had the "problem" solved. They now place an additional plate where the clip rubs the hole in your case.
I filed a complaint with the FTC today requesting that a recall be ordered and that every NP246 be replaced at no expense to the owner and that if the owner has already replaced the defective part that they be reimbursed.
I strongly urge ANYONE who has had a problem with their NP246 file a claim with the Federal Trade Commission, the more complaints the better chance we have.
It was brought to the dealer's attention three seperate times, and the refused to even look at the problem. It is now out of warranty, I had it looked at by a local shop who informed me that the transfer case was shot. They also said that since it was brought to GM's attention while under warranty, they should make good.
I took it to the dealership, and at the same time opened a case with GM Customer service who ASSURED me they would do right. Guess what? They claim it was due to "lack of maintenance" and my responsibility. A transfer case is a closed system that requires fluid change every 50,000 miles, which my truck received. Since there is not a low fluid sensor in the transfer case, how is it my responsiblity to crawl under it and check it?
To make a long story short, I was told that the remanufactured transfer case that was put in had the "problem" solved. They now place an additional plate where the clip rubs the hole in your case.
I filed a complaint with the FTC today requesting that a recall be ordered and that every NP246 be replaced at no expense to the owner and that if the owner has already replaced the defective part that they be reimbursed.
I strongly urge ANYONE who has had a problem with their NP246 file a claim with the Federal Trade Commission, the more complaints the better chance we have.
July 18th, 2012, 12:35 PM
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Questionable repair..
I crawled under the old Z71 this morning, and what did my eyes see besides a new shiny transfer case?? A brand spanking new rear driveshaft! I had the Universal joints replaced before they "found" the problem, and they never mentioned replacing the driveshaft NOR did they charge me for it.I took it to the local garage that found the problem to start with, and they verified that it was a new driveshaft. It wasn't the rusty, grimy one that was on there when they checked it and the driveshaft moved up and down in the tailshaft of the transfer case.
Could they have removed the evidence of what caused the fluid leak? Could an unbalanced drive shaft caused the leak? I guess we will never know for sure, but it sure seems like a shady way to run a shop.
I updated the FTC on this, and the dealership is now involved.
July 19th, 2012, 2:37 PM
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I crawled under the old Z71 this morning, and what did my eyes see besides a new shiny transfer case?? A brand spanking new rear driveshaft! I had the Universal joints replaced before they "found" the problem, and they never mentioned replacing the driveshaft NOR did they charge me for it.I took it to the local garage that found the problem to start with, and they verified that it was a new driveshaft. It wasn't the rusty, grimy one that was on there when they checked it and the driveshaft moved up and down in the tailshaft of the transfer case.
Could they have removed the evidence of what caused the fluid leak? Could an unbalanced drive shaft caused the leak? I guess we will never know for sure, but it sure seems like a shady way to run a shop.
I updated the FTC on this, and the dealership is now involved.
ontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> I apologize for the frustration with this issue. Did you receive a Service Request number (SR#) when you contacted Customer Service?Louis
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July 23rd, 2012, 7:47 AM
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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> I suppose it is possible. I can search for cases by VIN as well. If you would like to provide that, I can check if additional information is available.
Louis
GM Customer Service
ontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> I suppose it is possible. I can search for cases by VIN as well. If you would like to provide that, I can check if additional information is available.Louis
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July 24th, 2012, 3:12 PM
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July 25th, 2012, 2:18 PM
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If Louis or anyone from GM claims they are going to help you, it is a lie. Message I received from Louis is at bottom of inserted text.
Service is every 50,000 miles and it had been PROPERLY serviced. This is a closed system, no need to check the fluid level as you would your transmission, engine, coolant, brake fluid etc.
It was due to lack of customer care by the sevice department and not trying to find what the noise was until AFTER it was out of warranty.
Then there is the fact that ALL NP246 transfer cases now have an extra metal plate to keep the hole from being worn through.
Also, it was NOT documented by the dealership that they replaced my driveshaft with a new one that I had the presence of mind to photograph the brand new sticker on it. The original driveshaft was steel, this one is aluminum and quite shiny for 136,000 miles.
You NEVER replace a part without customers consent AND it is always on the bill whether it was a no charge item or the customer paid for it.
GM has lost all my confidence and my family's as well. Ford would not pull a stunt like that, and you know what? They didn't have their hand out to be bailed out. We will own Ford from now on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Service
Mr. Wilson,
Thank you for providing the SR# for your case. After reviewing the case, it has been deemed the cause of this condition was due to lack of maintenance and is no longer under warranty.
I apologize, but we are unable to offer cost assistance.
If you should need to contact us in the future, you can also call our Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Louis
GM Customer Service
Service is every 50,000 miles and it had been PROPERLY serviced. This is a closed system, no need to check the fluid level as you would your transmission, engine, coolant, brake fluid etc.
It was due to lack of customer care by the sevice department and not trying to find what the noise was until AFTER it was out of warranty.
Then there is the fact that ALL NP246 transfer cases now have an extra metal plate to keep the hole from being worn through.
Also, it was NOT documented by the dealership that they replaced my driveshaft with a new one that I had the presence of mind to photograph the brand new sticker on it. The original driveshaft was steel, this one is aluminum and quite shiny for 136,000 miles.
You NEVER replace a part without customers consent AND it is always on the bill whether it was a no charge item or the customer paid for it.
GM has lost all my confidence and my family's as well. Ford would not pull a stunt like that, and you know what? They didn't have their hand out to be bailed out. We will own Ford from now on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Service
Mr. Wilson,
Thank you for providing the SR# for your case. After reviewing the case, it has been deemed the cause of this condition was due to lack of maintenance and is no longer under warranty.
I apologize, but we are unable to offer cost assistance.
If you should need to contact us in the future, you can also call our Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Louis
GM Customer Service
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July 27th, 2012, 11:45 AM
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Yep.. BUT that's when they yelled out of warranty. Servicing it every 50K is a moot point when there is a known issue. I have pictures of the inside workings of the case. Only thing affected were the clutch plates and their housing, they were blue from the heat. Everything else was fine, but I was kind of blocked when I wanted to get a closer look at the tailpiece.
July 31st, 2012, 8:23 PM
#10
definitely not a maintenance issue when the tcase oil pump rubs through the t case housing. A $12 clip can fix the issue if installed before the pump rubs through.
The driveshaft in no way would cause this leak.
The driveshaft in no way would cause this leak.
Last edited by tech2; July 31st, 2012 at 8:25 PM.
