All 4 Brake Rotors Warped at 15k Miles

[AlaskaGriz]

I took my truck to the dealer for the Recall Notice and also for a vibration that started a week or so ago when braking. Anyway, they tell me the usual BS that it's wear item or driver behavior or other situations like living on a hill. I told them the only condition that is valid is that the factory parts were defective and should last well more than 15k. I didn't have any luck getting it covered under warranty so of course I paid for the repairs. They did discount the cost down to what someone would pay at a budget brake shop but I still contend the parts had to be defective from the factory.

Does anyone have any experience placing a complaint directly to GM (not about the dealer) about the poorly manufactured parts and lack of GM ownership and coverage when the mileage would indicate it's not even close to normal performance standards.

I don't expect to get anywhere but still want them to hear my opinion and dissatisfaction.

They did replace my engine at 5500 miles and it's running strong 10k later. The recall inspection showed no engine issues so they changed the oil using viscosity to 0-40 and did the other labeling. My special warranty for the engine was increased to 150k miles too.

Thanks for reading and any feedback or advice is appreciated.

Dave

 

[KLA]

Not exactly the same situation, but at 18k miles my rear brake pad life read 14% on the DIC. Took truck to the dealer for my free oil change which included tire rotation. Asked the service advisor "since the tech will already have the wheels off for the tire rotation, can they check my brake pads?" When my truck was done the service advisor tells me my brake pads were fine and the oil change was free but checking the brakes is not covered under warranty and, even though they already had the wheels off for the tire rotation, they want to charge me $79 for looking at my brake pads. Told the service advisor that he must have bumped his head thinking I was gonna pay $79 for looking at my brake pads. Of course, after raising hell in the front showroom with the manager, I did not have to pay the $79.

A few weeks later I was upgrading my brake pads to Bendix Carbon Ceramic Pads, and it turns out my whole problem was that the rear brake pad sensor was broke. That was the reason for the DIC reading 14% on the rear brake pads.

 

[AXE]

Rotors should last a long time! If they warp it's due to high heat or bad tempering. I had that happen on a previous Tahoe.

If the pads are worn evenly and thinned out, its likely poor quality pads. If they are uneven it could be rotors or calipers failing. If they are chipped or gouge, then that is likely environmental like driving in sand, mud, gravel, etc.

Hard to believe a set of pads could be bad at <20k miles. They should get at least 40k, but 50k should be a minimum design standard, but they can't seem to figure that out.

My last two 2500HD Duramax trucks had 150k and 100k on the original pads and they still looked hardly used. That's towing 12000+ lbs in hilly/mountain terrain.

 

[KLA]

Rotors should last a long time! If they warp it's due to high heat or bad tempering. I had that happen on a previous Tahoe.

If the pads are worn evenly and thinned out, its likely poor quality pads. If they are uneven it could be rotors or calipers failing. If they are chipped or gouge, then that is likely environmental like driving in sand, mud, gravel, etc.

Hard to believe a set of pads could be bad at <20k miles. They should get at least 40k, but 50k should be a minimum design standard, but they can't seem to figure that out.

My last two 2500HD Duramax trucks had 150k and 100k on the original pads and they still looked hardly used. That's towing 12000+ lbs in hilly/mountain terrain.

Yep! Agree with all that you said. My brake pads, at 18k miles, weren't that bad. The rear, inner pads were worn slightly more than the rest of the pads. But nothing that warranted them needing changed. I just upgraded the pads to the Bendix cause the rear sensor was broke and I was taking the pads off anyways to replace the sensors. Now I have better, all brand new brake pads and sensors.

 

[1sand2s]

I took my truck to the dealer for the Recall Notice and also for a vibration that started a week or so ago when braking. Anyway, they tell me the usual BS that it's wear item or driver behavior or other situations like living on a hill. I told them the only condition that is valid is that the factory parts were defective and should last well more than 15k. I didn't have any luck getting it covered under warranty so of course I paid for the repairs. They did discount the cost down to what someone would pay at a budget brake shop but I still contend the parts had to be defective from the factory.

Does anyone have any experience placing a complaint directly to GM (not about the dealer) about the poorly manufactured parts and lack of GM ownership and coverage when the mileage would indicate it's not even close to normal performance standards.

I don't expect to get anywhere but still want them to hear my opinion and dissatisfaction.

They did replace my engine at 5500 miles and it's running strong 10k later. The recall inspection showed no engine issues so they changed the oil using viscosity to 0-40 and did the other labeling. My special warranty for the engine was increased to 150k miles too.

Thanks for reading and any feedback or advice is appreciated.

Dave

What do you tow?

 

[AlaskaGriz]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't tow anything. Just normal driving. No hills and it's not hot here. Brake pads were at 85/90% until the rotors destroyed them. My driving environment and driving behaviours are far outweighed by the miserable factory parts lack of longevity. No where near what should be expected.

The truck did sit on the Dealer lot for 2.5 months while the engine was replaced. Otherwise it is parked in a garage and driven back and forth to work and weekend activities.

I want to give GM feedback on the miserable quality of these rotors.

Dave