2018 Silverado 2500HD, Low Coolant issue, quite the saga...

[dbart]

So, April 2018 I bought my brand new Silverado 2500 HD/Dmax.

Took delivery April 19th, had 40 miles on it.....Before I made a 1st payment, mile 464...the Low Coolant warning came on! :kenk:

Took it in, dealer said it's an air bubble and they'll flush the system.

Couple months later, again Low Coolant....they flushed the system.

3rd time....took it in :kenk:  they said they would do a full check and make sure not internal with the motor. Meanwhile all these times I'm given a loaner and grateful for that.

After the 4th time...the service manager said hey...you may want to talk to GM lemon law...this shouldn't be happening. I'm surprised the Service manager suggested that and gave me the number.

Around this time...my wife and I were driving up to my moms and all the sudden my whole truck started shaking and down on power. I seriously thought the engine separated from the trans or all the motor mounts broke. pulled over and popped the hood while it was barely running...nope all good then, shut it off. Go to start it...won't start.

Called AAA and they towed it to my dealer.

They had it a week before having to call GM directly to which they determined it was full ECU Failure.

Thankful for the warranty.

They have it 2 weeks...they call that it's ready but they still need the truck as the tech rolled the window down and it won't roll back up!   :kenk:

They order a new window actuator.

By this time I'm over it...I LOVE the truck but what the hell...was it put together to Monday after Superbowl Sunday and everyone was hung over?

GM comes back to me and says that my problems started at mile 33,XXX and they'll give me $55k for my truck!

Um NO! My problems started at mile 464...you have all the paperwork!

The lady said I'm just the one that cuts the check, but I can dispute that with the original lady I spoke with.

So I call her....and call her...and call her....Never get's back with me!

Finally I talk with someone and asked to speak to her MANAGER...this lady snaps back and says..... 

"He doesn't take calls, He Makes calls! :bugsy:

I was like...OH, OK (in tone like WTF????! :simrak:

I found a lemon law atty in Orange county and told him what was going on. He said give me all your paperwork...I'll look to see if you have a case.

Next day...YES.

Now since then it has been back another 2 times for Low Coolant (total of 6 times).

FINALLY they figured it out that it was a crossover switch in the Surge tank....replaced everything.

WHEW!

But Timothy is still running my case.

The problem is, if GM deems it a lemon...they take the truck, give me a check after they get the truck and then I have to go find a new one.

OR...my lawyer said...they can pay me for my inconvenience and I keep the truck. It isn't a lemon since this wouldn't go to court and GM never took possession of it.

It's been running great and I actually think they finally fixed the issue...plus I have it paid off

So with that, struck a deal with GM and I am keeping the truck.

But what an ordeal.

Now...I do have my eye on the 2024 GMC AT4 with the Gas engine...they will now offer the 10spd trans. So I may order one when that is available.

In the meantime...I still have my truck and I dig it! I'm just kind of over the diesel and the DEF.

Maybe next year I'll sell this thing...it'll still have warranty on it.

We'll see, but that's my story!

Anyone else have a good one?

:lmao:  

 

 

[Poule43]

Looks like a total heep of Chit!

Ill give you 22K Cash!

oule:

 

[Grease Monkey]

I had the low coolant issue 3 times.  They literally topped off the reservoir to the lip, tightened the cap VERY tight and I haven't had an issue since.   I've been told these cooling systems have a air pocket (bubble) thats a biatch to burp.

Im at 45K and its been good to me for the 15K or so miles.

Sorry to read your story. These are great trucks. I still love mine. 2018 as well.  

 

[John@Outfront]

2013 and 265000 miles i love it except for my TCM.......................................

 

[dbart]

I had the low coolant issue 3 times.  They literally topped off the reservoir to the lip, tightened the cap VERY tight and I haven't had an issue since.   I've been told these cooling systems have a air pocket (bubble) thats a biatch to burp.

Im at 45K and its been good to me for the 15K or so miles.

Sorry to read your story. These are great trucks. I still love mine. 2018 as well.  

Yeah I was frustrated...pay this much money and have these pesky issues...but it seems all is good and the dealer was always good to me.

If yours goes through the low coolant again...have them check the crossover sensor in the surge tank.

Now this has 76K miles on it and I think I'm just gonna keep it...unless I really like that new 2024???

We'll see.

 

[dbart]

2013 and 265000 miles i love it except for my TCM.......................................

I had a 2004.5 with 239K miles on it and the only thing I had to replace was an alternator and the Fuel pump housing cracked so I replaced that.

:thumb:

 

[Grease Monkey]

Yeah I was frustrated...pay this much money and have these pesky issues...but it seems all is good and the dealer was always good to me.

If yours goes through the low coolant again...have them check the crossover sensor in the surge tank.

Now this has 76K miles on it and I think I'm just gonna keep it...unless I really like that new 2024???

We'll see.

I can't stomach the price of the new trucks. I don't think it's me getting older either.  To replicate what i bought in 2018 would cost me 35K more today.

 

[Sausage450r]

I would just be careful… i had an ongoing limp mode issue along with oil consumption on my vw from 30k miles. Was always oh dirty throttle body, this that and the other. It would also burn 2-3quarts of oil between oil changes(Apparently 5qts lost between oil changes is “within spec”) finally had elcaminomant look at it and he found a stuck oil ring on the #3 piston (an extremely common problem with this era motor) The dealer never had any interest in addressing the real issue under warranty.

i traded the effer in immediately since its within spec and all. Sucked because i really liked the car. The effer just couldnt make it 3k miles without a  epc light and limp mode. 

 

[Crusty]

Crazy shit, new cars and trucks today seem to be hit / miss on either issues or none.

Worst part is Techs cannot seem to diagnose the issues properly anymore.

 

[South Bay]

Worst part is Techs cannot seem to diagnose the issues properly anymore.

This. Before I spun my S2000 in the rain last week, I started hearing a metal on metal sound from the rear when the car had been run a few miles.  S2000 message board told me it was most likely wheel bearings, so I took it to a shop that my family has been going to for decades.  Problem is, kids are now running it and don't. know. chit.  Told them to check the wheel bearings, they say no, it's brakes.  Me (since it probably needed brakes):  "okay, give me new brakes".   Get it back.  Still metal on metal.  Me:  "Did you even drive the effing thing?" Take it back to the shop and guess what, new wheel bearings solved the issue. 

And this a few weeks after it took them 3 tries to replace a bad sensor that was screwing up the idle speed . . .

 

[LegitDuner]

Yeah I was frustrated...pay this much money and have these pesky issues...but it seems all is good and the dealer was always good to me.

If yours goes through the low coolant again...have them check the crossover sensor in the surge tank.

Now this has 76K miles on it and I think I'm just gonna keep it...unless I really like that new 2024???

We'll see.

Where was the water going? Was it being burned in the cylinders? Any chance it shortened the life of the motor?

 

[dbart]

Where was the water going? Was it being burned in the cylinders? Any chance it shortened the life of the motor?

there was never a low coolant issue...it was electrical issue...with the sensor.

they thought there was just an air bubble and flushed the system, but after 4 times...They started looking at things more closely.

They determined there was no leak but still couldn't figure it out I guess...so by the 6th time they found out the crossover sensor was bad in the surge tank.

My overflow was never low...

 

[suber]

there was never a low coolant issue...it was electrical issue...with the sensor.

they thought there was just an air bubble and flushed the system, but after 4 times...They started looking at things more closely.

They determined there was no leak but still couldn't figure it out I guess...so by the 6th time they found out the crossover sensor was bad in the surge tank.

My overflow was never low...

I have the same issue with my 19 2500hd, low coolant light would come when I start my truck. Dealership wanted to charge me 800 to fix the sensor. I have not fix it yet..I just check regularly for coolant. 

 

[Bldrinker]

This is why I went with a my 7.3 gas guzzler. 
 

Diesels are not all they are cracked up

to be anymore. 

 

[dbart]

This is why I went with a my 7.3 gas guzzler. 
 

Diesels are not all they are cracked up

to be anymore. 

Yep, I am seriously considering ordering a new 2024 GMC 2500 HD Gas AT4. I think the 10 spd trans would help with the mileage, and the upgraded interior is nice.

I don't need the diesel but still want the bigger trans, brakes and towing capacity you get with the 2500.

I know I could get away with a 1500 but I don't think I could go back to a truck that drives like a car...it is definitely a softer ride. That would drive me nuts I think.

 

[wopachop]

Wow gnarly man. Be interesting to learn more about the crossover switch. Spot it on other newer trucks.

What about a smaller daily driver that is fun to drive and an older diesel without DEF? 99-02 Ford still has a following. Keep your ears open if a buddy ever says hes trying to sell his dads old diesel truck with low miles for cheap. Might be the 7.3L Ford. Known to be reliable is why people like them. On a FB group it seems $12,000 is the price for a decent one just to give you an idea. $350-400 to register in cali.

It does seem like lots of tow trucks are Dodge. Mac has a real nice looking one in a maroon color. Looks stout and aggressive. Even though i never really cared about looks. You must because youre an artist and always washing and waxing by hand. 

I couldn't imagine trying to park a brand new truck in a busy parking lot. Especially here because its windy and doors accidentally get blasted open. Guess you can't let that stop you from getting the truck you want though. I would probably get an electric car. But ive never even been inside one. Just be perfect for 50 mile round trips. Instead of starting up the big diesel that holds 15quarts of cold oil. 

 

[ElCaminoManT]

My '21 Grand Cherokee has been at the dealer for 6 weeks as of today for a really loud rattle in the dash when driving. I waited almost a year since it started happening because it wasn't consistent at first and I wasn't interested in playing the "unable to duplicate" game (I'm a mechanic for a living, I know how it works). When it became constant and there was no way they would be unable to NOT hear it, that's when I finally took it in. Couple hundred miles shy of 35k. Yep, they heard it and worked on it for almost 2 weeks before supposedly locating the source; the dash support skeleton was broken. They tried ordering that part but no dice so they ordered an entire new dash assembly which took FOREVER to show up. They got that installed but then heard something in the panoramic sunroof so they were going to look into that. I haven't heard from the dealer since last week tuesday.....I'll be calling them today. At least the GMC Terrain rental they gave me gets *decent* fuel mileage for the 2k+ miles I've put on it so far

And I think it's time to call Jeep as well. I've been holding off on that because having worked on the dealer side, I've seen doing that can cause things to go sideways in a hurry depending on the tech working on the vehicle but I'm about to make a second loan payment on a nice vehicle I haven't seen in nearly 2 months.....

 

[matt86m]

Yep, I am seriously considering ordering a new 2024 GMC 2500 HD Gas AT4. I think the 10 spd trans would help with the mileage, and the upgraded interior is nice.

I don't need the diesel but still want the bigger trans, brakes and towing capacity you get with the 2500.

I know I could get away with a 1500 but I don't think I could go back to a truck that drives like a car...it is definitely a softer ride. That would drive me nuts I think.

Funny you say that because I have been thinking about a 1500 (1500HD if they make that). With the moho I don't need a 2500 or 3500 to occasionally tow my enclosed. I have thought about a gasser too but I think by habit I might pump diesel into it! :lol:  

I also can't stomach the price of a new truck! I only drove mine 5500 miles last year, that's a lot of $$$ sitting there! I already have one of those (sandcar)!

 

[Bldrinker]

Yep, I am seriously considering ordering a new 2024 GMC 2500 HD Gas AT4. I think the 10 spd trans would help with the mileage, and the upgraded interior is nice.

I don't need the diesel but still want the bigger trans, brakes and towing capacity you get with the 2500.

I know I could get away with a 1500 but I don't think I could go back to a truck that drives like a car...it is definitely a softer ride. That would drive me nuts I think.

I know you are a big time Chevy guy. But I would take the Ram or Ford Gasser over Chevy by a large margin. 
 

Rhe Chevy got its ass kicked on the Ike test