NHTSA Complaint #10386227 — 2008 VAN-CON CHEVY

WHILE DRIVING OVER THE ROCKIES, PULLING A 5TH WHEEL, MY ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE BUT NOT HEAT UP. I PULLED OVER, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND CALLED FOR HELP. THE FINDING WAS THAT THE FAN ASSEMBLY HAD COME LOOSE, BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE OR NEVER PROPERLY TIGHTENED BEARING, SENDING THE FAN FORWARD, DESTROYING THE SCHROUD WHICH THEN PUT A HUGE HOLE IN THE RADIATOR, EMPTYING IT. I OF COURSE NEEDED TO BE TOWED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS NOT "UNCOMMON" AN YET THEY HAVE FAILED TO SHOW ME ANY PROOF OR EXPLAIN HOW THIS SHOULD EVER HAPPEN. IF IT IS INDEED COMMON FOR THE FAN TO LOOSEN ON A HUGE TRUCK, IT CERTAINLY SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. THE INCIDENT WAS DESCRIBED AS A COOLANT LEAK TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. THIS OBVIOUSLY GOES WAY BEYOND A LEAK. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND EVEN THOUGH THEY PROMISED TO GIVE GOODWILL ON THE REPAIRS, DID NOT. CUSTOMER SERVICE AT GM IS OF NO HELP AND JUST KEEPS SAYING THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TRAVEL MANY MILES ALONE AND KEEP UP WITH ALL THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY TRUCK. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE OR A WARRANTY ISSUE. IT IS CLEARLY A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN STRANDED WITH NO CELL COVERAGE AND A TRUCK THAT WAS BUILT FOR HEAVY DUTY WORK, BUT HAD THE FAN COME LOOSE! THE REPAIR COST $2100 AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND SHOULD ALSO INVESTIGATE THIS INCIDENT SO IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. WHEN I CALLED VARIOUS OTHER SERVICE DEPT. THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT! *TR