2002 TrailBlazer-Envoy-Bravada quality
Question:
<snip> > Needless to say that this has > been a frustrating experience for me. However, things could be a whole > lot worse. > At any rate, once again, thanks for the feedback guys. > Regards, > Ron
You might want to check the new vehicle lemon laws in your state to see if you qualify for your money back or a replacement vehicle. The rules are different for each and every state. The BBB has a summary site at: http://www.lemonlaw.bbb.org/ Click on your state to find out what the rules are there. John PS We had a Chrysler minivan bought back by the company under California Lemon Law in 1998 and it was not terribly painful once we found the right lawyer.
Response:
One thing to keep in mind, you bought a first-year vehicle. Yes, the transmission is the same as used since 92 or 93 (with periodic updates) I bet your problem was a manufacturing defect, but GM is still working on all the little things, even happens on pricier vehicles I bet. On a side note, saw a Trailblazer EXT (the 3-row version) on the road today in my area. I guess they’re building them…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Thanks for the excellent feedback you guys! I really do appreciate the > info. Actually, I have indeed experienced all of the problems that I > inquired about in my original post. Plus a few other issues. It’s very > unfortunate and disappointing for me, because there are so many aspects > of my 2002 TrailBlazer LTZ that I truly love! The dealership’s service > department where I bought the vehicle compounded some of the > problems–due to the fact that they couldn’t seem to fix anything that > went wrong with the TrailBlazer. I finally started taking it to another > dealership and they’ve been great. For my aggravation, GM is going to > pick up the tab on a 100,000 mile extended warranty for me. Also, they > said that they would pick up and deliver the vehicle to my place of > employment so that I wouldn’t have to miss any more work dealing with > TrailBlazer-related problems. Here are the other problems that I didn’t > mention in my original post: > -Bad rear pinion seal. > *I noticed fluid on my concrete driveway one morning as I was walking > back up to the house from the mailbox. > -Transmission basically failed at 9,000 miles. Lost 3rd gear. Ended up > having to leave the vehicle at a dealership about 90 miles from home on > a Saturday morning. > *Started out hesitating/slipping going from automatic 1st to 2nd gear. > Then from 2nd to 3rd gear as well. Ultimately failed on a trip to the > mountains one Friday evening. > -Faulty cam position actuator and phaser had to be replaced. This caused > the ‘Service Engine Soon’ light to stay on constantly. > *This one required four trips to the dealership to be rectified. > These three issues plus the excessive stereo heat and minor clicking, > squeaking and rattling noises are it. So, you could basically say that > I’ve experienced five different issues with less than 10,000 miles of > operation. But at least they’ve all happened while it’s still under > warranty. Maybe if I can get the clicking/popping noise eliminated that > is apparently coming from somewhere in the rear of the vehicle, I’ll > have a few months of trouble-free driving. Needless to say that this has > been a frustrating experience for me. However, things could be a whole > lot worse. > At any rate, once again, thanks for the feedback guys. > Regards, > Ron >>Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners >>rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission > problems? >I’m not sure from your questions if you are a current owner who is > experiencing >those problems, or if you are investigating a purchase and have heard > some >anecdotal reports of the above. I have an Envoy with 2000 miles, build > date >2/02. No transmission problems. I have been reading forums and > newsgroups for >6 months, and have seen some postings of folks with the 4×4 who had > their >software updated to change the computer shifting, but most of these > folks had >earlier build models, and were few in number. >>How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized >>bumps? >I haven’t experienced this personally. Any make/model car will have >squeaks/rattles from time to time. I haven’t seen an unusual number of > reports >on this. A few people noticed some wind noise that was due to some > loose door >weatherstripping or a groove in the outside mirror, but this hasn’t > been >unusually common that I could tell. >>Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the >>vehicle for a prolonged period of time? >No, and I checked mine after I read somewhere that theirs did. So I > can only >speak for myself. >>Any ‘clicking’ noises coming >>from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors? >This may be the type of clicking you are talking about, but when I > first pull >out of the garage into the sun, there is a "popping" noise that occurs > 2-3 >times due to the expansion of the plastic license plate housing which > expands >at a different rate than the metal liftgate. But it is not really a > "clicking." >Models since 4/02 have this corrected with a rubber gasket placed > between the >two. Anyone with a build date prior to that can get one placed free > under the >warranty. This also keeps the license plate housing from scraping on > the paint >of the liftgate. My gasket will be installed this week; takes about 45 > minutes >while I wait. The new vehicles on the lot since 4/02 should already > have them. >>Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated. >Ron, you should join the Envoy/TB/Bravada forum at edmunds.com. There > are >about 10 postings a day, and you can ask all your questions. Most > people are >happy; but you can see some problems some have had. You will have to > copy and >paste this address: >Good luck. >RD
Response:
Thanks for the excellent feedback you guys! I really do appreciate the info. Actually, I have indeed experienced all of the problems that I inquired about in my original post. Plus a few other issues. It’s very unfortunate and disappointing for me, because there are so many aspects of my 2002 TrailBlazer LTZ that I truly love! The dealership’s service department where I bought the vehicle compounded some of the problems–due to the fact that they couldn’t seem to fix anything that went wrong with the TrailBlazer. I finally started taking it to another dealership and they’ve been great. For my aggravation, GM is going to pick up the tab on a 100,000 mile extended warranty for me. Also, they said that they would pick up and deliver the vehicle to my place of employment so that I wouldn’t have to miss any more work dealing with TrailBlazer-related problems. Here are the other problems that I didn’t mention in my original post: -Bad rear pinion seal. *I noticed fluid on my concrete driveway one morning as I was walking back up to the house from the mailbox. -Transmission basically failed at 9,000 miles. Lost 3rd gear. Ended up having to leave the vehicle at a dealership about 90 miles from home on a Saturday morning. *Started out hesitating/slipping going from automatic 1st to 2nd gear. Then from 2nd to 3rd gear as well. Ultimately failed on a trip to the mountains one Friday evening. -Faulty cam position actuator and phaser had to be replaced. This caused the ‘Service Engine Soon’ light to stay on constantly. *This one required four trips to the dealership to be rectified. These three issues plus the excessive stereo heat and minor clicking, squeaking and rattling noises are it. So, you could basically say that I’ve experienced five different issues with less than 10,000 miles of operation. But at least they’ve all happened while it’s still under warranty. Maybe if I can get the clicking/popping noise eliminated that is apparently coming from somewhere in the rear of the vehicle, I’ll have a few months of trouble-free driving. Needless to say that this has been a frustrating experience for me. However, things could be a whole lot worse. At any rate, once again, thanks for the feedback guys. Regards, Ron – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners >rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission problems? >I’m not sure from your questions if you are a current owner who is experiencing >those problems, or if you are investigating a purchase and have heard some >anecdotal reports of the above. I have an Envoy with 2000 miles, build date >2/02. No transmission problems. I have been reading forums and newsgroups for >6 months, and have seen some postings of folks with the 4×4 who had their >software updated to change the computer shifting, but most of these folks had >earlier build models, and were few in number. >How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized >bumps? >I haven’t experienced this personally. Any make/model car will have >squeaks/rattles from time to time. I haven’t seen an unusual number of reports >on this. A few people noticed some wind noise that was due to some loose door >weatherstripping or a groove in the outside mirror, but this hasn’t been >unusually common that I could tell. > Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the >vehicle for a prolonged period of time? >No, and I checked mine after I read somewhere that theirs did. So I can only >speak for myself. >Any ‘clicking’ noises coming >from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors? >This may be the type of clicking you are talking about, but when I first pull >out of the garage into the sun, there is a "popping" noise that occurs 2-3 >times due to the expansion of the plastic license plate housing which expands >at a different rate than the metal liftgate. But it is not really a "clicking." > Models since 4/02 have this corrected with a rubber gasket placed between the >two. Anyone with a build date prior to that can get one placed free under the >warranty. This also keeps the license plate housing from scraping on the paint >of the liftgate. My gasket will be installed this week; takes about 45 minutes >while I wait. The new vehicles on the lot since 4/02 should already have them. >Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated. >Ron, you should join the Envoy/TB/Bravada forum at edmunds.com. There are >about 10 postings a day, and you can ask all your questions. Most people are >happy; but you can see some problems some have had. You will have to copy and >paste this address: >Good luck. >RD
Response:
>Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners >rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission problems?
I’m not sure from your questions if you are a current owner who is experiencing those problems, or if you are investigating a purchase and have heard some anecdotal reports of the above. I have an Envoy with 2000 miles, build date 2/02. No transmission problems. I have been reading forums and newsgroups for 6 months, and have seen some postings of folks with the 4×4 who had their software updated to change the computer shifting, but most of these folks had earlier build models, and were few in number. >How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized >bumps?
I haven’t experienced this personally. Any make/model car will have squeaks/rattles from time to time. I haven’t seen an unusual number of reports on this. A few people noticed some wind noise that was due to some loose door weatherstripping or a groove in the outside mirror, but this hasn’t been unusually common that I could tell. > Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the >vehicle for a prolonged period of time?
No, and I checked mine after I read somewhere that theirs did. So I can only speak for myself. >Any ‘clicking’ noises coming >from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors?
This may be the type of clicking you are talking about, but when I first pull out of the garage into the sun, there is a "popping" noise that occurs 2-3 times due to the expansion of the plastic license plate housing which expands at a different rate than the metal liftgate. But it is not really a "clicking." Models since 4/02 have this corrected with a rubber gasket placed between the two. Anyone with a build date prior to that can get one placed free under the warranty. This also keeps the license plate housing from scraping on the paint of the liftgate. My gasket will be installed this week; takes about 45 minutes while I wait. The new vehicles on the lot since 4/02 should already have them. >Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated.
Ron, you should join the Envoy/TB/Bravada forum at edmunds.com. There are about 10 postings a day, and you can ask all your questions. Most people are happy; but you can see some problems some have had. You will have to copy and paste this address: Good luck. RD
Response:
No, this is a brand new engine, in-line 6. 270 hp. | Is it the same 4.3l vtech engine found in the Jimmy? | | | | > TBlazer LT since 7/01: | > | > No tranmission problems at all. When cold ’sticks’ in low a bit longer | than | > when hot, by design per dealer. | > An intermittent problem with the shift interlock, however (can’t get it | out | > of Park now and then without a few extra stabs of the brake pedal). Dealer | > cannot duplicate (neither can we, it’s touch and go). | > Squeaks//rattles, there is an occasional ‘noise’ (no vehicle is perfect), | > amazingly quiet in that dept. Test drive to be sure. | > Haven’t noticed any egg-frying ability with the stereo, seems to get no | > hotter than with other vehicles I’ve owned. I don’t notice a heat problem | > in regular use. | > Haven’t heard any clicking coming from anywhere. | > | > Had problems with front drivers disk brake chirping when hot, started at | > about 19,000 miles. Selling dealer claims to have | > changed pads and ground front rotors. No fix. Took it back to them about | > three more times for the same problem, I don’t think they even looked at | it. | > | > Then took it to another, closer dealer, and they on the first visit did | some | > 45 degree angle thing with the front pads. This silenced the chirping for | > about three weeks, then it returned along with some kind of low speed | > intermittent binding//thumping problem with that brake (the pass side was | > not affected). | > | > Second trip to second dealer, they put in new rotors and pads, both sides | in | > front. All problems happily fixed, but at the cost of way too many trips | > and much aggravation. They observed dealer #1 used aftermarket pads. | What | > a ripoff. Also, dealer #2 charged me a $65 ‘inspection fee’ on the first | > visit. By this time I was so frustrated with all the non-fixes that I | paid | > it just to get them going. Seems like a strange charge for a vehicle | still | > under full warranty. Maybe I’ll complain to GM one of these days. | > | > Observations: great engine and tranny, very good overall build quality, | > attractive appearance. Brakes are competant but feel a bit mushy. It is | my | > opinion that the rotors were warped somewhat when we bought the vehicle | new. | > I let it ride until things worsened. Fuel mileage is good, 18/19, mostly | > highway. Runs fine on 87 octane but gets slightly better mileage with 89 | or | > higher, and seems peppier (this is a high compression engine). The engine | > seems truly at home with 93 octane (an untamed beast, what a blast with a | > lead foot). | > Drivers side door mirror has slight shake to it (not the housing, just the | > glass), I haven’t bothered to have this fixed yet, and I may not. We had | an | > ‘00 Impala that had the same problem, which I did have fixed successfully. | > A quality control issue. Front end feel seems excellent for an SUV, very | > linear and feels expensive. | > Interior should be a bit quieter, but this rig is quite quiet in | comparison | > to others. My Tundra is noticeably quieter, however, but only with the | > windows fully closed. | > The TB buckets seem less comfortable than the Envoy, didn’t try the Brav. | > There seems to be a high spot in the middle of the bucket, almost like a | bit | > of a mound. But after awhile of driving, it amazing seems perfectly | > comfortable and ‘normal’, and is not a source of complaint. It’s all in | > what we’re used to, I suppose. | > | > Would I buy the vehicle again? Well, yes: great size for wife, elevated | > driving position yet not strenuous to enter/exit the vehicle, relatively | > good fuel mileage in our use (mostly highway), handles well, is | sufficiently | > comfortable and quiet, and seems reliable enough despite the problems, has | > never failed to start and go. | > | > I bot an extended warranty here http://www.gmwarrantycentral.com/ at a | much | > reduced price over what the dealer was asking, since we plan on keeping it | > to 100,000 miles and maybe somewhat beyond. Dealer wanted something over | > two grand, we got same for $1,300. The Olds as I’m sure you are aware | comes | > with its own factory ‘extended’ warranty, I think to 60,000 miles, but | check | > it out it is longer than the other two. Too bad its so ugly. | > | > One more thing: on the highest level models, you get all these fancy | > electronic dash controls to futz with. We were going to get the LTZ but | > those controls turned me off completely as being way too complicated and | > inconvenient to bother to learn, so we went with the LT, which has nice | > regular knobs and controls easily understandable (especially when under | > way!). I did not visualize pressing an a button a number of times to | scroll | > through got knows what just to get the defroster to come on, seemed to me | a | > potential accident in the making. | > | > Good luck with your decision, and pick your dealer based on quality of | > service. If you really want excellent service, buy a Lexus. | > | > | Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners | > | rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission problems? | > | How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized | > | bumps? Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the | > | vehicle for a prolonged period of time? Any ‘clicking’ noises coming | > | from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors? | > | | > | Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated. | > | | > | Regards, | > | | > | Ron | > | | > | | > | | > | | > | > | |
Response:
No, it’s the new Vortec 4.2L inline 6. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Is it the same 4.3l vtech engine found in the Jimmy? >TBlazer LT since 7/01: >No tranmission problems at all. When cold ’sticks’ in low a bit longer > than >when hot, by design per dealer. >An intermittent problem with the shift interlock, however (can’t get it > out >of Park now and then without a few extra stabs of the brake pedal). Dealer >cannot duplicate (neither can we, it’s touch and go). >Squeaks//rattles, there is an occasional ‘noise’ (no vehicle is perfect), >amazingly quiet in that dept. Test drive to be sure. >Haven’t noticed any egg-frying ability with the stereo, seems to get no >hotter than with other vehicles I’ve owned. I don’t notice a heat problem >in regular use. >Haven’t heard any clicking coming from anywhere. >Had problems with front drivers disk brake chirping when hot, started at >about 19,000 miles. Selling dealer claims to have >changed pads and ground front rotors. No fix. Took it back to them about >three more times for the same problem, I don’t think they even looked at > it. >Then took it to another, closer dealer, and they on the first visit did > some >45 degree angle thing with the front pads. This silenced the chirping for >about three weeks, then it returned along with some kind of low speed >intermittent binding//thumping problem with that brake (the pass side was >not affected). >Second trip to second dealer, they put in new rotors and pads, both sides > in >front. All problems happily fixed, but at the cost of way too many trips >and much aggravation. They observed dealer #1 used aftermarket pads. > What >a ripoff. Also, dealer #2 charged me a $65 ‘inspection fee’ on the first >visit. By this time I was so frustrated with all the non-fixes that I > paid >it just to get them going. Seems like a strange charge for a vehicle > still >under full warranty. Maybe I’ll complain to GM one of these days. >Observations: great engine and tranny, very good overall build quality, >attractive appearance. Brakes are competant but feel a bit mushy. It is > my >opinion that the rotors were warped somewhat when we bought the vehicle > new. >I let it ride until things worsened. Fuel mileage is good, 18/19, mostly >highway. Runs fine on 87 octane but gets slightly better mileage with 89 > or >higher, and seems peppier (this is a high compression engine). The engine >seems truly at home with 93 octane (an untamed beast, what a blast with a >lead foot). >Drivers side door mirror has slight shake to it (not the housing, just the >glass), I haven’t bothered to have this fixed yet, and I may not. We had > an >’00 Impala that had the same problem, which I did have fixed successfully. >A quality control issue. Front end feel seems excellent for an SUV, very >linear and feels expensive. >Interior should be a bit quieter, but this rig is quite quiet in > comparison >to others. My Tundra is noticeably quieter, however, but only with the >windows fully closed. >The TB buckets seem less comfortable than the Envoy, didn’t try the Brav. >There seems to be a high spot in the middle of the bucket, almost like a > bit >of a mound. But after awhile of driving, it amazing seems perfectly >comfortable and ‘normal’, and is not a source of complaint. It’s all in >what we’re used to, I suppose. >Would I buy the vehicle again? Well, yes: great size for wife, elevated >driving position yet not strenuous to enter/exit the vehicle, relatively >good fuel mileage in our use (mostly highway), handles well, is > sufficiently >comfortable and quiet, and seems reliable enough despite the problems, has >never failed to start and go. >I bot an extended warranty here http://www.gmwarrantycentral.com/ at a > much >reduced price over what the dealer was asking, since we plan on keeping it >to 100,000 miles and maybe somewhat beyond. Dealer wanted something over >two grand, we got same for $1,300. The Olds as I’m sure you are aware > comes >with its own factory ‘extended’ warranty, I think to 60,000 miles, but > check >it out it is longer than the other two. Too bad its so ugly. >One more thing: on the highest level models, you get all these fancy >electronic dash controls to futz with. We were going to get the LTZ but >those controls turned me off completely as being way too complicated and >inconvenient to bother to learn, so we went with the LT, which has nice >regular knobs and controls easily understandable (especially when under >way!). I did not visualize pressing an a button a number of times to > scroll >through got knows what just to get the defroster to come on, seemed to me > a >potential accident in the making. >Good luck with your decision, and pick your dealer based on quality of >service. If you really want excellent service, buy a Lexus. >| Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners >| rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission problems? >| How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized >| bumps? Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the >| vehicle for a prolonged period of time? Any ‘clicking’ noises coming >| from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors? >| >| Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated. >| >| Regards, >| >| Ron >| >| >| >|
Response:
Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission problems? How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized bumps? Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the vehicle for a prolonged period of time? Any ‘clicking’ noises coming from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors? Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated. Regards, Ron
Response:
TBlazer LT since 7/01: No tranmission problems at all. When cold ’sticks’ in low a bit longer than when hot, by design per dealer. An intermittent problem with the shift interlock, however (can’t get it out of Park now and then without a few extra stabs of the brake pedal). Dealer cannot duplicate (neither can we, it’s touch and go). Squeaks//rattles, there is an occasional ‘noise’ (no vehicle is perfect), amazingly quiet in that dept. Test drive to be sure. Haven’t noticed any egg-frying ability with the stereo, seems to get no hotter than with other vehicles I’ve owned. I don’t notice a heat problem in regular use. Haven’t heard any clicking coming from anywhere. Had problems with front drivers disk brake chirping when hot, started at about 19,000 miles. Selling dealer claims to have changed pads and ground front rotors. No fix. Took it back to them about three more times for the same problem, I don’t think they even looked at it. Then took it to another, closer dealer, and they on the first visit did some 45 degree angle thing with the front pads. This silenced the chirping for about three weeks, then it returned along with some kind of low speed intermittent binding//thumping problem with that brake (the pass side was not affected). Second trip to second dealer, they put in new rotors and pads, both sides in front. All problems happily fixed, but at the cost of way too many trips and much aggravation. They observed dealer #1 used aftermarket pads. What a ripoff. Also, dealer #2 charged me a $65 ‘inspection fee’ on the first visit. By this time I was so frustrated with all the non-fixes that I paid it just to get them going. Seems like a strange charge for a vehicle still under full warranty. Maybe I’ll complain to GM one of these days. Observations: great engine and tranny, very good overall build quality, attractive appearance. Brakes are competant but feel a bit mushy. It is my opinion that the rotors were warped somewhat when we bought the vehicle new. I let it ride until things worsened. Fuel mileage is good, 18/19, mostly highway. Runs fine on 87 octane but gets slightly better mileage with 89 or higher, and seems peppier (this is a high compression engine). The engine seems truly at home with 93 octane (an untamed beast, what a blast with a lead foot). Drivers side door mirror has slight shake to it (not the housing, just the glass), I haven’t bothered to have this fixed yet, and I may not. We had an ‘00 Impala that had the same problem, which I did have fixed successfully. A quality control issue. Front end feel seems excellent for an SUV, very linear and feels expensive. Interior should be a bit quieter, but this rig is quite quiet in comparison to others. My Tundra is noticeably quieter, however, but only with the windows fully closed. The TB buckets seem less comfortable than the Envoy, didn’t try the Brav. There seems to be a high spot in the middle of the bucket, almost like a bit of a mound. But after awhile of driving, it amazing seems perfectly comfortable and ‘normal’, and is not a source of complaint. It’s all in what we’re used to, I suppose. Would I buy the vehicle again? Well, yes: great size for wife, elevated driving position yet not strenuous to enter/exit the vehicle, relatively good fuel mileage in our use (mostly highway), handles well, is sufficiently comfortable and quiet, and seems reliable enough despite the problems, has never failed to start and go. I bot an extended warranty here http://www.gmwarrantycentral.com/ at a much reduced price over what the dealer was asking, since we plan on keeping it to 100,000 miles and maybe somewhat beyond. Dealer wanted something over two grand, we got same for $1,300. The Olds as I’m sure you are aware comes with its own factory ‘extended’ warranty, I think to 60,000 miles, but check it out it is longer than the other two. Too bad its so ugly. One more thing: on the highest level models, you get all these fancy electronic dash controls to futz with. We were going to get the LTZ but those controls turned me off completely as being way too complicated and inconvenient to bother to learn, so we went with the LT, which has nice regular knobs and controls easily understandable (especially when under way!). I did not visualize pressing an a button a number of times to scroll through got knows what just to get the defroster to come on, seemed to me a potential accident in the making. Good luck with your decision, and pick your dealer based on quality of service. If you really want excellent service, buy a Lexus.
| Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners | rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission problems? | How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized | bumps? Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the | vehicle for a prolonged period of time? Any ‘clicking’ noises coming | from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors? | | Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated. | | Regards, | | Ron | | | |
Response:
Is it the same 4.3l vtech engine found in the Jimmy?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> TBlazer LT since 7/01: > No tranmission problems at all. When cold ’sticks’ in low a bit longer than > when hot, by design per dealer. > An intermittent problem with the shift interlock, however (can’t get it out > of Park now and then without a few extra stabs of the brake pedal). Dealer > cannot duplicate (neither can we, it’s touch and go). > Squeaks//rattles, there is an occasional ‘noise’ (no vehicle is perfect), > amazingly quiet in that dept. Test drive to be sure. > Haven’t noticed any egg-frying ability with the stereo, seems to get no > hotter than with other vehicles I’ve owned. I don’t notice a heat problem > in regular use. > Haven’t heard any clicking coming from anywhere. > Had problems with front drivers disk brake chirping when hot, started at > about 19,000 miles. Selling dealer claims to have > changed pads and ground front rotors. No fix. Took it back to them about > three more times for the same problem, I don’t think they even looked at it. > Then took it to another, closer dealer, and they on the first visit did some > 45 degree angle thing with the front pads. This silenced the chirping for > about three weeks, then it returned along with some kind of low speed > intermittent binding//thumping problem with that brake (the pass side was > not affected). > Second trip to second dealer, they put in new rotors and pads, both sides in > front. All problems happily fixed, but at the cost of way too many trips > and much aggravation. They observed dealer #1 used aftermarket pads. What > a ripoff. Also, dealer #2 charged me a $65 ‘inspection fee’ on the first > visit. By this time I was so frustrated with all the non-fixes that I paid > it just to get them going. Seems like a strange charge for a vehicle still > under full warranty. Maybe I’ll complain to GM one of these days. > Observations: great engine and tranny, very good overall build quality, > attractive appearance. Brakes are competant but feel a bit mushy. It is my > opinion that the rotors were warped somewhat when we bought the vehicle new. > I let it ride until things worsened. Fuel mileage is good, 18/19, mostly > highway. Runs fine on 87 octane but gets slightly better mileage with 89 or > higher, and seems peppier (this is a high compression engine). The engine > seems truly at home with 93 octane (an untamed beast, what a blast with a > lead foot). > Drivers side door mirror has slight shake to it (not the housing, just the > glass), I haven’t bothered to have this fixed yet, and I may not. We had an > ‘00 Impala that had the same problem, which I did have fixed successfully. > A quality control issue. Front end feel seems excellent for an SUV, very > linear and feels expensive. > Interior should be a bit quieter, but this rig is quite quiet in comparison > to others. My Tundra is noticeably quieter, however, but only with the > windows fully closed. > The TB buckets seem less comfortable than the Envoy, didn’t try the Brav. > There seems to be a high spot in the middle of the bucket, almost like a bit > of a mound. But after awhile of driving, it amazing seems perfectly > comfortable and ‘normal’, and is not a source of complaint. It’s all in > what we’re used to, I suppose. > Would I buy the vehicle again? Well, yes: great size for wife, elevated > driving position yet not strenuous to enter/exit the vehicle, relatively > good fuel mileage in our use (mostly highway), handles well, is sufficiently > comfortable and quiet, and seems reliable enough despite the problems, has > never failed to start and go. > I bot an extended warranty here http://www.gmwarrantycentral.com/ at a much > reduced price over what the dealer was asking, since we plan on keeping it > to 100,000 miles and maybe somewhat beyond. Dealer wanted something over > two grand, we got same for $1,300. The Olds as I’m sure you are aware comes > with its own factory ‘extended’ warranty, I think to 60,000 miles, but check > it out it is longer than the other two. Too bad its so ugly. > One more thing: on the highest level models, you get all these fancy > electronic dash controls to futz with. We were going to get the LTZ but > those controls turned me off completely as being way too complicated and > inconvenient to bother to learn, so we went with the LT, which has nice > regular knobs and controls easily understandable (especially when under > way!). I did not visualize pressing an a button a number of times to scroll > through got knows what just to get the defroster to come on, seemed to me a > potential accident in the making. > Good luck with your decision, and pick your dealer based on quality of > service. If you really want excellent service, buy a Lexus. > | Just out of curiosity, how would you TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada owners > | rate the quality of your 2002 model vehicles? Any transmission problems? > | How about squeaks/rattles when driving over small to moderate-sized > | bumps? Does your stereo get really warm after you’ve been driving the > | vehicle for a prolonged period of time? Any ‘clicking’ noises coming > | from the rear of the vehicle–or the side mirrors? > | > | Feedback regarding the above questions would be appreciated. > | > | Regards, > | > | Ron > | > | > | > |
