NHTSA Complaint #10343358 — 2001 CHEVROLET TAHOE

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 CHEVROLET TAHOE Z71. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND I AM THE SOLE OWNER. YESTERDAY (7-13-2010), I HAD JUST RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AFTER A VISIT TO THE GROCERY STORE. I OPENED THE REAR HATCH (UPPER GLASS PORTION) AND PLACED MY GROCERIES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE THE GLASS HATCH IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. AFTER FURTHER VISUAL OF THE CONNECTING LATCH, I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC RIGHT LATCH HAD BROKEN OFF THE GLASS PORTION OF THE HATCH. THUS I WAS NOT ABLE TO CLOSE THE GLASS HATCH. AFTER CONTINUED ATTEMPTS, I PUSHED THE GLASS HATCH BACK INTO PLACE, BUT THE WINDOW IS SEVERELY OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY OTHER TAHOE AND SUBURBAN OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY TAHOE BY A LOCAL CHEVROLET BODY SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TAHOES AND SUBURBANS. THE SHOP FOREMAN SAID THAT THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT THAT CHEVROLET NEVER CORRECTED OR ADMITTED FAULT TO. I AM NOW CONCERNED, AS THIS IS A COMPLETE UNIT AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT COSTS APPEARS TO BE RATHER EXPENSIVE. IF THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF CHEVROLET IS WILLING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPAIRS OR AT LEAST PICK UP A PORTION OF THE BILL. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REVIEW OF MY COMPLAINT. *TR