So I ended up buying my 06 Boulder Grey H3 w/78,000 miles last Wednesday. I drove it for a week and noticed a few things that needed to be fixed. I wasn't sure if some of the things I was hearing would really be anything since I wasn't used to the H3. Well.....

I received the dreaded call from the dealership today, and... he quoted me $6,500 to fix several issues. I was so in shock and pissed at the moment when he was rattling off what was wrong all I heard was "Manifold, Axle, Valve, Module". He continued to tell me that since I just bought the car last week my warranty wasn't in effect yet, so he told me to come get the car and drive it around for a few months until my warranty becomes active (I bought an extended 4yr 48,000 mile warranty). I told him "I DON'T THINK SO!" they just sold me a damn car a week ago that they supposedly do a multi-point inspection on and didn't see any of these problems? The car also came with a dealer 1 month warranty that would run out if I came and got the car. Did he really ask me that question???? WTF

He then proceeded to tell me that he will talk to the used car manager and see if we can't get something done, but the manager will not be there until Monday. He did agree with me that this isn't right and these were all pre-existing problems. He did have some sympathy, so we will see how things go on Monday. This is a very well known dealership in Des Moines Iowa so let's hope they do the right thing.

It worries me though, how much other crap could possibly be wrong with it? I think when I talk to him Monday I will ask him to do a full inspection of the car to make sure no other issues arise.

I LOVE this H3, but damn! Now I'm driving around this stupid Chevy Cruze rental which feels like I'm in a go cart with a roof and doors. I'm 6'5" and let's just say I should be playing circus music when I exit this thing!

Any friendly words of advice from my fellow H3 owners??? I absolutely refuse to pay for any of this!

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Hopefully the dealer will pull through.

There is a ton of info in this forum regarding potential issues with the H3 - from leaking sunroof to problem with valve intake seats. When I was considering my H3 purchase (also 2006), I spent a LOT of time on the forum and believe I went into my purchase with eyes wide open. Here are two of the more costly potential issues I found:

• early H3 valve intake seats (head problem) - $4000 if problem occurs
  • A P0300 system code is thrown for this issue which you recently had. New plugs seem to have resolved the issue but the H3 has only been driven 328 miles since the plugs were replaced. Concern is the issue could resurface.
• shift fork (plastic) - $1000 if problem occurs

Not sure my thread is more useful than others but you might want to read through it:
https://www.hummerforums.com/forum/h...3-owner-29783/

Good luck!
LifeIsGood

 

FYI - the multi-point car inspection dealerships do typically just include safety issues. It doesn't matter if you have a blown head gasket, no A/C, a hole in the exhaust, and are running on 3 cylinders but if you don't have a minimum amount of tread on the tires they will replace the tires. At least this has been my experience. It's also why I get an extended warranty, budget about $2k for surprises, and immediately take any new vehicle I buy to a different shop for a thorough inspection. The smart thing to do would be to take it to a different shop BEFORE purchase, but I almost never do that.

It's nice that the dealership you bought your H3 from was at least honest after the sale about what needs fixed. The place I bought my H2 from about a month ago found about $750 worth of stuff needing fixed, then when I mentioned I was within the 5 day no questions asked return policy period the story changed and all it needed was some adjustments. I took it to a different dealership that I trust and they found about $1,600 worth of issues, mostly minor that can wait. $450 out of my pocket got the front end fixed, and some or all of the rest of the work will be covered by the extended warranty when I go back in a couple months for an oil and all other fluids change.

I would be seriously pissed if I were stuck with $6,500 worth of necessary repairs on something I just bought and paid for an extended warranty for and also has a 1 month dealer warranty. I understand your frustration, but it does sound like it will work out in your favor in the end. Even if you have to drive it the way it is for a couple months.

 

I don't understand how your warranty is not in effect yet aren't they usually in effect the moment you buy the car? I've never heard of waiting a few months before it kicks in?? Something does not sound right on this. I also have never heard of a warranty being null because you picked up your car unless they are trying to have you sign something stating you take the car as is?? Good luck to ya anyways. I also have a 2006 and (knock on wood) I have not had any problems other than a clunk from the front which does not seem to effect anything. I'm hoping I get away from the head issue but so far I only have a little over 65k on mine so it might still pop up. Fingers crossed that I got one that skips it even though the vin number and build date falls within the ones that have the problem.

 

From my issues and conversations from buying my H2 a month ago, the warranty does kick in immediately. However, it only covers stuff that breaks after you buy it so if you try to claim a bunch of stuff a week after purchase there is a good chance the warranty company will call it pre-existing (correct in this case) and not cover it. Hence, wait a few months then make the claim.

edit: I'm with you on the 30 day dealership warranty. Makes no sense that it would be null and void if he drove away without them fixing it, plus they should be covering all this on their dime. Sounds like the dealership just doesn't want to cough up $6,500 worth of repairs and is trying to stall and dump it on the warranty company.

 

lKeith, I have to say your post and whatever question(s) you might be asking is unclear to say the least. You have provided zero info on the "few things that needed to be fixed."

So, if you take any vehicle to a Bozo Repair facility and tell them you want them to "fix a few things", without being specific, I am sure they would be glad to fix up a bunch of irrelevant stuff to get into your wallet. You will also find that many mechanics do not know chit about Hummers, so they look it up through technical bulletins and offer to fix the most common things whether they need fixin on your truck or not.

Good luck.

 

Thanks LifeIsGood for the info!

What's funny is this dealership has a video on their website which shows exactly what they inspect when doing a multi-point inspection. To be honest they should have caught all of the problems in the multi-point and fixed them before they put this car on their lot. IMO they were probably hoping someone would buy the car and not notice all of the problems I did and come in a few months down the road to get it fixed under warranty. Or heck they may not have noticed anything at all.

Oh I was definitely pissed. I tried to keep calm knowing that If I start going off and acting like a lunatic it will probably make things worse. I got a call Monday from one of the service guys telling me that he is still waiting to have a meeting with the used car manager today. He told me not to worry to much as everyone is siding with me.

I'm just hoping this is all on their dime and doesn't go against my warranty. My warranty will cover up to $15,400 (which is what I paid for the vehicle) for repairs before they stop coverage. $6,500 will put a major dent in this amount.

That's what I didn't understand either... I just paid $2,600 for a warranty that isn't in effect yet? That just doesn't make sense. But to be honest I'm kind of glad it's not in effect yet so the dealer will eat the $6,500 instead of my warranty.

That makes sense, and is probably the reasoning behind why they wanted me to drive this car around for a couple months, so they don't have to eat the $6,500 bill.

All I asked was for some friendly words of advice (Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem)? Like I said I was furious and didn't hear all of the exact problems he stated. I wrote down a list of 13 things I noticed before taking the car back (even the littlest of things) - I did this because I figured I could get them fixed for free since it has only been a week since I bought the car. I didn't expect them to come back with $6,500 worth of problems.

The place that I bought and took it to used to be the old Hummer dealership. It is now the Infinity/Cadillac dealership. They still have Hummer technicians that work there (I was told this when I bought the car). But heck they could all be lying and not know chit for all I know. I do know they are going to fix my chit though.

 

IKeith, on your reply back to Doc Olds- very well said… I understood your post perfectly.

Good luck and keep pushing at that dealership, they'll make it right.

 

+1....overall a great forum but there are a few curmudgeons.

 

I don't see that list? You are on a forum for advice, you can go ahead and share ALL the information!

Or you could bring it here, and I will check it out for you.

Not a good thing to start your post, trashing the H3, especially when you are NOT giving ALL the information, why you are "regretting"!

Please share your "13 things". TIA