Left Drive Shaft...not under warranty

[ChrisTannis]

I have a 2003 Vibe with 70,000 KM on it. We were at a light today, went to go on the green..and pop - the car broke down! Come to find out that it's the left drive shaft, which they say is not part of the power train warranty...however they need us to pay to fix it so they can then get to the transmission to see if it (which is covered as power train) is broken. How is it that at 2 year old car, with 70,000 highway kilometers on it can just have something that major break on it...and if it's so connected to the transmission, which is part of power train, why is it not covered!Previous to this I had a sunfore, and something happened to the wheel base at 69,000 KM as well.If I have to pay for this, they will loose what was soon to be a 3 time customer.Any insight from anyone...

[millster]

Was it actually the shaft, or the CV joint? I've never known a powertrain warranty that would cover a CV joint breakage.

[Mavrik]

I know the canadian 2004 Vibe like mine has a power train warranty but didn't know about the 03. Do you have that green card in your manual that lists all the covered items?

[ChrisTannis]

He definetely said left drive shaft. Now that you say it, the Sunfire was a CV joint.Thanks for the feedback though

[ChrisTannis]

I had the service guy, and called the GM manufacturers warranty #. I'm covered up to 80,000KM for power train without question - and even the manufacturer warranty rep said it sounds odd, and as a consumer she would think it should be covered. But that doesn't mean anything if they choose to just be jerks.

[ebslopp]

I really hope they cover it. Did they mention how much it would be to fix?

[Mavrik]

Well if you have to get GM involved... see its not the dealership that decides whats covered by warranty, its GM. You get GM to ok the work and the dealership will do it no questions asked. Unfortunetly the person you got on the phone just takes your info and doesn't decide yes or no. You need to talk to the GM area rep.Now this is what my 2004 Vibe 5year 100,000km powertrain covers. (thats 40,000km from 60,000 regular warranty, 2 years after 3 year time) Transmission/Transaxle Case. all internal parts, torque coverter, transfer case, transmission/transaxle mounts, seals and gaskets. Front Wheel Drive Final drive housing, all internal parts, axle shafts and axle bearings, constant velocity joints, axle housing, propeller shafts, universal joints, wheel bearings, locking hubs, front differential actuator, supports, front hub bearings and rear acle hub bearings, seals and gaskets.

[Jahntassa]

The warranty on this car is starting to worry me. First premature wear on clutches, now snapping driveshafts. We really need to keep track of when stuff like this happens for the future...It does seem odd that it's not covered. That's not exactly a 'wear' item, either..

[ChrisTannis]

Funny thing is (an I use the word funny very loosely) is that they don't even know how much the part is yet, because "it's a newer car, so we have to see what the costs are"...if that doesn't speak volumes I don't know what does!

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by ChrisTannis »Funny thing is (an I use the word funny very loosely) is that they don't even know how much the part is yet, because "it's a newer car, so we have to see what the costs are"...if that doesn't speak volumes I don't know what does!you'd be surprised at how just understocked and underinformed parts counters at GM are in regards to the Vibe. I have better luck talking to Toyota then the part department at the dealership I work at.

[ToolGuy]

I hear you and sorry it happend but I really do not think you have an arguement here...The car is not new, 2 years old with miles. How can it happen? Easily, parts break and cars are nothing more then a bunch of parts. Can some break before others? Sure and sounds like yours did. Statisically not all will last the same length of time. Maybe GM will cover but it sounds like it is not under warranty unless you have an extended. Yes it is connected to the trans in a way but not an actual part of the trans and probably not under drive tran because it is an axle and people hit crap and bend them or they can wear out on FWDs easier. You could have bought a Honda and it could have done the same thing. My uncle had a Maxima and its engine blew at a stop light, crap happens.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »Ihear you and sorry it happend but I really do not think you have an arguement here...The car is not new, 2 years old with miles. How can it happen? Easily, parts break and cars are nothing more then a bunch of parts. Can some break before others? Sure and sounds like yours did. Statisically not all will last the same length of time. Maybe GM will cover but it sounds like it is not under warranty unless you have an extended. Yes it is connected to the trans in a way but not an actual part of the trans and probably not under drive tran because it is an axle and people hit crap and bend them or they can wear out on FWDs easier. You could have bought a Honda and it could have done the same thing. My uncle had a Maxima and its engine blew at a stop light, crap happens. His concern is in regards to the fact that he does have an extended powertrain warranty but they do not want to cover the part under it... but I doubt he broke it by hitting something. these do just snap when driving, seen it before.

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »His concern is in regards to the fact that he does have an extended powertrain warranty but they do not want to cover the part under it... but I doubt he broke it by hitting something. these do just snap when driving, seen it before.Right but he did ask how it could happened, so I gave my opinion. Right again on them just breaking, I did not imply he hit somehting but others do and that could be one reason why they may not be covered. Lots of parts break anytime and are not covered. Under the 3/36 of course then it would have been. I have never heard anyone sucessfully use the powertrain warranty out of the 3/36 time period which would then be on it own warranty period. Not to say it cannot be done but I have not heard someone use it. In the meantime he should go to another dlr for their opinion or pay for it, either at a dlr or a private place, keep the parts and talk to the zone rep and Cust. Asst. But I think he is SOL...

[joatmon]

I think he needs to find the details of his powertrain warranty. My US 2003 vibe does not have any powertrain warranty extension, but if his warranty is like the one mavrik quoted, then it should be covered.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I think he needs to find the details of his powertrain warranty. My US 2003 vibe does not have any powertrain warranty extension, but if his warranty is like the one mavrik quoted, then it should be covered.yeah the canadian Vibe models, including some sunfires and cavaliers have that 100,000km powertrain warranty. he should get his information and use that as ammo towards getting this fixed up without costing him anything.