Clutch replacement not covered by warranty on new car?

[msnoire]

My sister has a 2006 vibe with 18000 miles on it. They've had it for less than a year. She just found out from the dealer that the clutch has to be replaced and it will cost them 1200 dollars. The dealer says, although the clutch doesn't usually wear down until about 36000 miles, the warranty might not cover it. They already are charging them 400$ just for looking at the dang thing. They even tried to put down that the car had 33000 miles to it, not 18000. Grrrr. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Its not the family's primary car, and both adult drivers are gentle with it. I'd appreciate advice to relay to them on how to get it covered by the warranty. I'm not sure how the process goes, but it just seems to me a new car shouldn't be breaking this soon.Advice is appreciated, thanks!

[BlueCrush]

The clutch should be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty. They shouldn't have to pay a dime.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by msnoire »My sister has a 2006 vibe with 18000 miles on it. They've had it for less than a year. She just found out from the dealer that the clutch has to be replaced and it will cost them 1200 dollars. The dealer says, although the clutch doesn't usually wear down until about 36000 miles, the warranty might not cover it. They already are charging them 400$ just for looking at the dang thing. They even tried to put down that the car had 33000 miles to it, not 18000. Grrrr. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Its not the family's primary car, and both adult drivers are gentle with it. I'd appreciate advice to relay to them on how to get it covered by the warranty. I'm not sure how the process goes, but it just seems to me a new car shouldn't be breaking this soon.Advice is appreciated, thanks!The dealer really won't cover a wear and tear item such as a clutch (brakes, headlights,ect) unless you can prove that the throw out bearing got stuck causing it to burn up so quickly. Don't let the dealer do the clutch job. You can have it done by a good rep-shop for about 1third that cost. I don't know what kind of dealer they are for charging you 400bucks just to dignose the problem. If you insist it be done by the dealer talk with the service rep and demand that the 400 bucks be taken off the 1,200 dollar bill for their tec to tell you what you already knew was wrong!It does sound like someone (whoever drives the car) rides the clutch WAY TOO MUCH. most people get 60k out of a clutch, unless it's all stop and go traffic every day of the week where you drive.

[joatmon]

Is it a base vibe or a GT?

[tnpartsguy]

1st, is the servicing dealer the selling dealer? If not, take it back there if possible. Don't pay them a cent to diagnosis a problem on a car with 18K miles. 2nd, call the Pontiac consumer helpline, and get a case started. 18K is too early for a clutch to go out, even in a GT.

[prathman]

As KeithVibe indicated, clutch wear is not normally covered under warranty because it is so dependent on the driver's actions. Someone who lets the clutch slip extensively on each gear change or drives with a foot resting on the clutch pedal can easily wear out a clutch in only a few thousand miles.But the Vibe clutch, particularly on the 'GT' model, does seem to be a weak point, with quite a few reports of premature failure even with drivers who are very familiar with manual transmissions and who have previously had clutches last for over 100 kmiles. Hope you can convince the dealership that this premature wear was not due to any abuse by the drivers and should be covered.BTW, the $400 diagnostic charge and $1200 repair seem excessive. On my previous vehicle (a Chevy Nova - Corolla clone), I had the original clutch replaced at 167000 miles for a total cost (parts/labor/tax) of about $300 at a clutch repair shop.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »The dealer really won't cover a wear and tear item such as a clutch (brakes, headlights,ect) unless you can prove that the throw out bearing got stuck causing it to burn up so quickly. Not that it is any big deal, but I have had headlights replaced under warranty.I have never bought a car that didn't have automatic transmission as the extra cost is worth the convenience to me. Now I see that considering the cost of a clutch replacement there really isn't any extra cost.

[Mavrik]

well a clutch used properly doesn't wear out at 18,000 miles. It will be easy for them to tell if its abused (by this I mean not used properly). Also clutch falls into a wear item and often times is limited in miles or time of coverage. Clutch work is not warrantied at other manufactures either. And I've worked at several to know.

[atotalofnine]

If your sister has the GT model, then that's the problem. The GT has more horsepower, but the same clutch as the base model. Had my clutch replaced at low mileage on my GT for $1200, and 25k miles later, it needs it again. I'm upgrading to an aftermarket clutch and then selling the Piece Of Crap. I also had problems with the driver side window. Exploded on me once, and popped out of the track after the glass was replaced. Turns out it also has weak regulators and they bend for no apparent reason. That was another $400. Also having problems with the A/C now. Don't know what that'll cost me. This car was NOT worth the money!!!

[Bectech]

just as a point of reference, my 2004 Vibe has 82,000 miles on it and still has the original clutch. It's a base model though, not the GT. Besides, new front brakes, this car has been pretty much error free.. no complaints.

[MRCN RCE]

mine died on me, and the service guy at my dealership told me it was considered a "wear item", so it couldn't be covered. he even tried to get it taken care of through my extended warranty. i replaced it with an exedy clutch and lighter flywheel and it's a million times betterat least they didn't charge me to take a look at my clutch, which was a big plus

[ToolGuy]

As mentioned she needs to call GM the Pontiac Customer Assistance center now if the car stays at the dealer. The center will explain the warranty and get involved if need be. The number can be found in the back of the owners manual.The dealer has NO idea how the car was driven if in fact the clutch did not wear prematurely. When I worked at the GM Roadside Assistance center people would call and complain that their Camaro 6-speed needed a tow because the clutch was out. When it got the dealer the clutch was gone but the dealer also found piles of rubber from the owner doing burnouts in the wheel wells of the car. GM paid nothing on this. I am saying this is her case but again the dealer has no idea on a wearable item like this.

[wyatt89]

i've got a gt with the stock clutch at 43k and it doesn't slip a bit, it's getting a more linear pedal feel instead of the progressive one that it originally had when we got it though...hopefully it doesn't die, its never given me trouble though...Call the pontaic help line, they should be able to help though, I've called them before but my case was apparently hopeless