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Archive of posts filed under the Questions category.

Pontiac G6 Smells of Mildew

Posted by  on 19 May 2010, 12:44 pm

Visitor Alisha presented this problem about a Pontiac G6 with possible mildew problems:

I have a 2009 Pontiac G6. I have had the car for 6 months. I bought it off the lot with 8,000 miles on it. It now has 14,000. Over the last month I have brought the car in 4 times b/c there is a mildew smell coming out of the ac vents. The dealership has taken the car in and done everything GM has told them to do and the problem still is not fixed. They said the a/c is running so cold that it sweats and the water pools up on the evaporator core and just sits there and doesn’t evaporate.
What can I do. PS I think the mildew smell might be making me sick. Funny, since I bought the car in October I have been sick almost every single month there after. What are my rights/options at this point? Obviously the car is still under bumper to bumper factory warranty.

There is a drain that comes through the firewall, it is a black rubber pipe which is pinched on the end to prevent air getting in but allows water out, make sure it isn’t blocked. It should be checked during a service. You can find it by getting under the car with the air conditioner on, water will drip from it after system is run for a little while on warm days.

Frigi-Fresh professional grade is formulated to help remove foul, musty odors from automobile air conditioning systems. It kills mold, mildew and other odor-producing organisms that grow in the evaporator core and housing. The problem for the dealer is getting to it. The heater will not heat the air conditioner coils as it is down stream in the system in all cars I know of, but running the fan with warm air from outside or the cabin will dry the coils some. It is a good idea to turn off the air conditioner, leaving the fan on and recirculating for a few minutes before you reach your destination to allow it to dry out but again not a long lasting remedy.

If odor continues the a/c evaporator core in the dash would need to be replaced. All are considering there is no other water leaking or collecting in the carpets in the vehicle interior from other sources like a leaky sunroof.

A consumer in this situation definitely has legal rights and should contact a Lemon Law Attorney as soon as possible. For a list of Lemon Law Attorneys, click here. For a summary of the Lemon Laws for each state, please click here.

Filed under Pontiac, Questions. Tagged , , , , ,
6 Comments

Pontiac G8 GT with Vapor Leak Problems

Posted by  on 8 December 2009, 3:25 pm

Amy wrote us this question:

I have a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT and I have had nothing but problems from the word go all surrounding things involving the fuel tank, gas cap, air bag sensor and now finding out today that it may have a vapor leak. I have had my car to the shop numerous times, the check engine light stays on more than off, I have had my car 10 months and they have had the gas tank and exhaust system off twice already, it is very aggravating having to go to the shop every little whip stach and I am wondering how many times parts have to be replaced before the car is considered a lemon?

Hi Amy:

Whether your car is a “lemon” under the law, depends a lot on the particular state you in which you purchased and registered the car. State lemon laws vary, but most require a finding that the same symptom was subject to complaint by the consumer to the dealership an “unreasonable number of times” and the symptom “substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value or safety.” If you let us know the state of purchase and registration, we can forward your question to a lawyer who is licensed to practice in the state involved.

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Steering Defects and Water Leaks a Common Problem with General Motors Vehicles

Posted by  on 28 October 2009, 8:41 am

A concerned consumer, Art, recently asked this question:

I have just brought my 2008 Saturn Aura to the dealers for steering box “knocking” which he wrote up on the service ticket. The service person noted to me a mildew odor in the car and this turned into the “discovery” of a real serious water leak. The service person went immediately to the source; He quickly revealed standing water under the front passengers side carpet!

Now Saturn is going to locate and fix the problem? and replace all carpeting.

My concern is…CAN this type of problem really be fixed? Is this not a serious health issue?

Thank you for your inquiry. In fact, GM is having a major problem with both of the described conditions in many of it’s products. Hundreds of my clients are undergoing multiple repairs for steering defects. Repairs range from lubrication to replacement of end links, steering gears, steering shafts and steering columns. Many clients indicate the noise and sometimes looseness or binding just keeps coming back.

The same can be said for water leaks. I have hundreds of GM clients who experience repeat water leaks and resultant mold and mildew in their vehicles.

The best advice I can give you is to aggressively return your vehicle under warranty for repairs for both issues. Of course, if the conditions are successfully repaired in a “reasonable” number of attempts or in a “reasonable” number of days in the shop, GM did what it is supposed to do under the warranty.

On the other hand, if GM goes through an “unreasonable” number of repair attempts or there are an “unreasonable” number of days in the shop and the conditions remain, e-mail us back and we will put you in touch with a lawyer who may be able to help you free of charge.

Also, feel free to check out www.lemonlaw.com/breakmold.html for more information on leaking and moldy vehicles.

Bob

Filed under Defects, Questions, Saturn. Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
1 Comment

General Motors Water Leaks: Saturn Outlooks, GMC Acadias & Buick Enclaves, Oh My!

Posted by  on 24 September 2009, 10:48 am

David commented on a post about GM Water Leaks and posed the following question:

I have had my 2008 Saturn Outlook for 13 months. In that time I have taken it in twice and will be going for a third time to resolve water leaks. The first was the spare tire compartment. It was filled with water and the mat was soaked. The second was the headliner near the garage door opener was soaked and leaked into the center console destroying my cell phone. Now I have water on the passenger side floor. What can I do? Tired of the back and forth.

I have seen numerous water leaks in Saturn Outlooks, as well as in GMC Acadias and Buick Enclaves, primarily in those equipped with a power moon roof. Most leaks are due to a defect in the sunroof track and are caused by the inability of the drains to properly disperse water. The water instead comes into the passenger cabin and damages interior parts and electrical components and creates mold and mildew due to standing water. I have also seen many other water leak issues with Outlooks not equipped with the moon roof. I would take the vehicle in for the 3rd repair attempt. Thereafter, if the vehicle still leaks, smells damp or moldy, or has electrical defects due to the leak, e-mail us back and we will either guide you or refer you to someone who can (depends on the state of purchase and vehicle registration).

Filed under Buick, GMC, Questions, Saturn. Tagged , , , , , , , ,
20 Comments

Rough Running Engine on a Pontiac G6

Posted by  on 22 September 2009, 4:57 pm

Mr. Macari writes:

I purchased a new 2009 Pontiac G6. I went back to the dealer with around 500 miles on it to get a recall done and complained about the engine running very rough and missing. When I picked up the car they said they couldn’t find anything wrong and no engine missing no running problems. I drove the car down the block and it was running rough again and missing. Had to make another appointment when they get the recall parts in. Again they found no problems. They put a monitor in the vehicle and as soon as i drove it down the block its missing and running rough. Even my wife is complaining about it and is scared to drive the car in case it dies on her. Even my passengers in the car complain about how it’s running bad. We got a new car not to have the problems and not to have the worry of getting stuck or fear of breaking down. Now she wont drive the car. she scared it is going to brake down. Car has 2030 miles on it and it going back in again to the dealer to fix it and also the back seat is defective and deformed and steering wheel stitching coming apart too. I want it fixed right. if it comes back again and runs like sh*t can I get it lemon law’d? Please get back to me ASAP with help and a number I can call to speak to GM. Thanks Mr Macari

Thanks for contacting us Mr. Macari. From what I read in your comment, it looks like you are currently either in for your 3rd repair attempt or are driving around with a data recorder, and will shortly bring the vehicle back for the 3rd repair attempt. Although there is no “three strikes you are 100% out” in most Lemon Laws, three unsuccessful repairs are very strong evidence General Motors was given a reasonable chance at repairing the car.

Once you suffer through this 3rd repair attempt, drive the car a bit and see if it acts up again. If it does, e-mail us back again and we can either give you further advice on the lemon law or refer you to someone who can (depending on what state you purchased and registered the car in).

Hopefully your car will be properly repaired the 3rd time. If it is not, visit the Lemon Law Lawyers page to find a lawyer in your state and contact them for a free consultation.

Filed under Pontiac, Questions. Tagged , , , , ,
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Welcome to the General Motors Lemon Law Blog!

Posted by  on 9 September 2009, 11:59 am

Welcome to General Motors Lemon Law.com!  Have a lemon law question pertaining to your Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Saturn or Hummer vehicle?  You’ve come to the right place.  Bob Silverman and Bob Ruch have worked tirelessly for decades to assist consumers who suffer with vehicle defects and they are standing by to answer your questions.  No question is too big or too small.  Is water leaking from the sunroof? Has the electrical system stopped cold?  Does your vehicle stall?  Does the engine ping?  Does your dashboard light up like a Christmas tree?  Whatever the problem, we have an answer.

Filed under General Motors, Questions. Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
6 Comments