NHTSA Complaint #10169825 — 2004 PONTIAC VIBE

JANUARY 2005 WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2004 PONTIAC VIBE FROM WADE RAULERSON GM PONTIAC. THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 39,000 MILES. DURING THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP A TICKING NOISE WAS NOTICED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED US THAT AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED AND THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE WAS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR. DURING OUR OWNERSHIP A 71 YEAR OLD WOMAN HAS DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE PLACING 6,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN 18 MONTHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS WAS FLAWED AND THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURERS SOLD US A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. GM AND THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF $10,026 WITH A 50/50 SPLIT OR A USED ENGINE FOR A COST TO US OF LITTLE UNDER $5,000. THE FINAL WRITTEN ESTIMATE PROVIDED TO US WAS FOR $3800.00 PLUS TO BE CHARGED TO US. IT IS AGAIN OBVIOUS THAT A DEALERSHIP WHICH CERTIFIES AN ENGINE THAT SO MISERABLY FAILS IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE LICENSED AND A MANUFACTURER WHO PUTS A PRODUCT OUT SUCH AS THIS IS NEGLIGENT. CHILDREN WERE DRIVEN REGULARLY IN THIS HUNK OF JUNK AND IT IS BY GRACE THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE WHETHER MEDIATION OF THE PROBLEM OR SANCTION OF THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *JB