NHTSA Complaint #10231962 — 1998 GMC SIERRA

1998 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXT. CAB TRUCK. PURCHASED USED ON 6/03/08. ODOMETER READ 96,921MILES. LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE A SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, AND 2ND TO 3RD, UNDER 15 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER, WHO HAD AGREED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR PARTIAL COSTS TO HAVE ALL THE FLUIDS FLUSHED AND FILLED WITH CLEAN FLUID AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF MY REGULAR SHOP, WHERE I HAD TAKEN THE TRUCK FOR INSPECTION 12 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS CRACKED INTO THE LOCK AREA. I ASKED THE SERVICE SHOP (DIXIELAND TIRE) FOR A QUOTE ON REPAIR, THE MANAGER TOLD ME, "THAT IS A COMMON GMC PROBLEM, THE PARTS DEPT STOCKS ABOUT A DOZEN OF THOSE AND I'VE REPLACED AT LEAST 18 IN THE PAST YEARS.". THE PART COST $61.50 PLUS TAX AT 6.5%, AND LABOR OF $97.50. THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH COST $109.95 FOR THE SUPREME SERVICE. LESS THAN TWO DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CODE FOR IT CAME UP AS P1870, TRANSMISSION. THE TECH NOTICED THE SLIP. I WAS REFERRED TO A TRANS SHOP SINCE MY SERVICE SHOP DOESN'T HAVE CAPABILITY TO REPAIR TRANS. AT THIS TIME I NOTIFIED USED CAR DEALER WASHINGTON AUTO SALES THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE TRANS CHECKED AND REMINDED HIM THAT I HAD NOTICED THE SLIP LESS THAN 24 HRS. AFTER PURCHASE. I ASKED IF HE COULD HELP ME WITH POTENTIAL COSTS HE SAID IT DEPENDED ON WHAT THE RESULTS WERE OF THE INSPECTION SCHEDULED FOR 6-24-08. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE DOOR HANDLE, WHICH IS A WELL-KNOWN DEFECT. *TR