- #1 of 16
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Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline
by lsauer
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Apr 07, 2007 (7:23 am)
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Has anyone gone through the BBB autoline and received a replacement vehicle for their 2005 or 2006 Uplander? Wondering just how the replacement process actual works. Any costs to do the exchange?
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- #2 of 16
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no go on replacement
by skywalk27
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Jun 07, 2007 (1:28 pm)
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A few months back I contacted the BBB about my Uplander and GM offered me, basically an extended warranty on everything to do with the van. I have just over 20,000 miles on the van and a list of things that have been already been replaced and/or worked on. I recently contacted GM again because I started having different problems and no one has returned my call. I will be contacting the BBB again tomorrow as I am not happy!
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- #3 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [lsauer]
by mrich1
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Jul 05, 2007 (10:13 am)
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Replying to: lsauer (Apr 07, 2007 7:23 am)
I am in the process now. So far they have denied everything and it is going to arbitration. What is your concern about? Mine is the air conditioner/computer system.
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- #4 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [lsauer]
by mrich1
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Jul 05, 2007 (10:14 am)
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Replying to: lsauer (Apr 07, 2007 7:23 am)
Did you have any luck? What was your concern with the Uplander?
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- #5 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [mrich1]
by lsauer
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Jul 05, 2007 (2:57 pm)
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Replying to: mrich1 (Jul 05, 2007 10:14 am)
I had a lot of electrical issues, including the flickering headlights. On the day of arbitration the overhead lamps failed to perform for the arbitrator, but I didn't think that would get me a new car. GM decided to send their district manager, this guy handed me his business card on the way out and said if I keep the van longer than 3 years call him, he'll extend the warranty another 2 years! That's how confident he was that I would not get a replacement vehicle. I picked up my brand new 2007 Uplander in Mid-May.  However, it has a horrible clunking sound with the first start of the day.....nothing else so far.
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- #6 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [lsauer]
by skywalk27
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Jul 08, 2007 (4:49 pm)
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Replying to: lsauer (Jul 05, 2007 2:57 pm)
The biggest problem I have had with the van is the steering...at about 4500mi it began to make a growling/creaking noise when turning. That has been fixed four times and is making the noise again for the fifth time. After the third time I sent a last chance letter to GM. I have also had the voltage regulator replaced to fix the flickering lights, the liftgate adjusted to stop the rattling, the seat repaired because the release cable came out, a stabilizer link replaced to stop the clunk when accelerating and stopping, and my rotors turned because they are already warped. I have gotten the green light from the BBB to head to arbitration. A couple weeks ago I contacted the dealership to see if they would give me a service slip stating that they verified that the noise in the steering is back and they went ahead and called the GM rep in the area and I am supposed to meet with him this Tuesday...I can't wait...hopefully this is the end and bye bye van!
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- #7 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [skywalk27]
by jerrywimer
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Jul 25, 2007 (11:04 am)
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Replying to: skywalk27 (Jul 08, 2007 4:49 pm)
What model was your van? We just traded our 05 Terraza because of the brakes (and what I feel are problems caused as a consequence of the brakes- worn tie rod ends and tires worn out..). GM changed the CSVs from 5 lug wheels to 6 lugs in 2006 without any mention of it ANYWHERE whatsoever. That makes me think that the change fixed some (non-recall) related problem, very likely the brakes.
Here's my conspiracy theory-
1. Pre-2005 GM vans need updated, including crash strength.
2. GM comes up with the CSVs- longer stronger nose, newer engines, new interior, 800+ pounds heavier than predecessors, many parts shared though (most obvious, rear hatches, less obvious- brakes, tires, etc. shared)
3. 800 more pounds with the 2005 brakes is too much- brakes get hot / overheat for many vehicles when driven ANYWHERE requiring more than light braking. Brakes warp as a result.
4. Some customers complain (GM gets notice of an unusually high number of warranty claims on brakes during 05 model year)
5. GM quietly specs larger / stronger brakes (probably scavenged from some existing 6+ lug vehicle line), implements in 2006 vehicles. Problem solved.
6. Almost. There's still a lot of people with 05's having brake problems. Easy- GM claims "normal wear and tear" or "customer-caused concern" and dodges responsibility to pay for repairs. After all, it's one model year of a lower-volume vehicle.
That's my theory. So far it seems to be holding up. 
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- #8 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [jerrywimer]
by skywalk27
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Jul 26, 2007 (7:02 am)
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Replying to: jerrywimer (Jul 25, 2007 11:04 am)
My van is a 2006...the brakes are still wierd. Somedays it feels like I'm not going to stop, other days I almost come to a screeching stop because the brakes are so sensitive and grab...and the van creaks in the steering when I come to a stop...
I thought about trading it in, but I have had so many problems with it in the first year and I don't want someone else to end up with the hassle...this is GM's responsibility...however, they apparently don't understand their end of the lemon law...I'm bypassing the BBB and have got a lawyer....this is the last GM vehicle I will ever own. It's not even about the vehicle anymore, it's about the "customer service" I never want to receive again...
About your theory...I think GM has little concern for working out the bugs, they would rather redesign to make the customer think they found a solution...look at some of the issues with the Venture vans...premature warped rotors, flickering headlights...it's all a marketing scam!!!
Amanda
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- #9 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [skywalk27]
by jenjerry
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Jul 07, 2008 (9:44 pm)
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Replying to: skywalk27 (Jul 26, 2007 7:02 am)
Funny how all the dealers say we are the first to have that problem... I have a 2007 I bought "certified used" (which doesn't mean a hill of beans) with 21k miles and have had ongoing problems. I called GM's certified used 800 # and got nowhere with them. I got some robotic politically correct responses from a lady in a cubicle. There has been 3 electrical problems where it would not start or went to low engine power. Then the steering shaft was replaced for grinding. Tires have gone flat for no reason. Dealer replaced one at cost and one for free - 4 times in shop for that issue. Now warranty is out at 42k miles and the steering wheel shakes and van pulls to the right. Brakes just replaced and still don't feel right. To top it off, just noticed a loud rattle under the vehicle. Tried to hire a lawyer to file a lemon case and found out the dealer snuck in a binding arbitration agreement in the paperwork which takes that right away. Anyone know if I should report to BBB, file arbitration, or go to the media at this point? I don't want an extended warranty or another Uplander, I want GM to buy it back free and clear. If I trade I will be $10k upside down and don't want to sell my problems to some other poor family. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned and will NEVER buy another GM.
I found this website to file complaints just to make other consumers aware. Good thing I did because I found out the Honda I was going to buy to replace the Uplander has major transmission problems. Thought for sure I'd be safe with a Honda. Now leary of everything. 
www.carcomplaints.com
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- #10 of 16
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Re: Uplander Replacement Vehicle and the BBB Autoline [jenjerry]
by skywalk27
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Jul 08, 2008 (8:04 am)
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Replying to: jenjerry (Jul 07, 2008 9:44 pm)
What state are you in? The lemon law in most states protects the consumer from any "surprise" paperwork from the dealership. Lemon law supersedes documents that try to strip a consumer of his/her rights. In fact, there are probably other consumer protection laws that would fall into place. Contact a lemon law/consumer protection lawyer, not just a lemon law lawyer-they will have more knowledge of your rights. Speaking from experience, don't bother with the BBB. They awarded me a nonlemon law repurchase and GM's offer was that I pay THEM $2155 and they would take back my van. I hired a lawyer that handles both lemon law and consumer protection claims and they brought 8 charges against GM and the dealership. The defense attorney is now trying to make a settlement offer before it heads to court. If you're in the Michigan area, I know a great lawyer!! I think they handle claims in Ohio and Wisconsin, possibly a couple other states too.
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