Why Isn't there a recall?

[amrg]

After personally having to change the radiator for the infamous "crack" on two different H3s, each at around 40K mileage, and seeing that so many fellow H3 owners have done the same thing, why isnt there a recall made to finally fix this issue? I just noticed a 37 page thread filled with peoples "cracked radiator" experience on another forum. Didnt anyone complain enough/complain to the right source?
Wouldn't having a radiator leak, possibly overheating your engine and having it break on u, possibly leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere (since its an offroad vehicle) as serious as the flying hood louver incident? Or where they just looking for publicity when they did that recall?

 

[3Hummers]

Not sure how many people filed complaints with the NTSB. Usually it takes a certain level of complaints to get those guys into action. Since Hummers and their warranty seemed to have wound up left in the bad GM under the bankruptcy GM has no reason to step up. They kicked us all to the curb in 2010.

 

[f5moab]

Not a safety problem, so NHTSA probably would shrug it off. I'm guessing 90 percent or greater of those radiator replacements were due to a crack at the top. I drove mine about a 1000 miles with that crack and no problems so long as I kept an eye on the level. And it was obvious to my nose when it started leaking.
The flying fake hood louver, could be dangerous to a vehicle behind you if it flew off, hit the vehicle's windshield. However, I do not believe that was a requested recall by NHTSA, it was a GM initiated campaign to repair it before it flew off.
Your country may have completely different regulations in regard to a product campaign. Might want to check.
37 pages on a forum thread does not denote that many people; especially if you consider how many of the same people posted numerous times on that same thread.

Also forums are notorious for having people bitch about a problem vs. saying how great it is. And then the miles come into the equation. Many 2007 models had their radiator crack under 50000 miles; my very early 08 cracked at around 50000 miles. But I know of a guy with a 06 that his cracked at 104000 and someone else who's cracked at over 90000.

But as Dave says...GM kicked Hummer to the dirt in the bankruptcy; as Chrysler did to their customers in their bankruptcy.

 

[07Custom]

Actually I just realized how big of a problem this was. Because my radiator just cracked at 54k miles. Really pissed me off too. Let's hope it doesn't happen again!

 

[SickStringC]

Mine cracked at ~70k mi. I had an extended warranty and paid the $50 deductible rather than losing my mind fighting with GM. I did, call a dealership and have a really frustrating conversation with someone before saying f*$k it and used my extended warranty (took it to a private shop, not the dealer****).

The conclusion the 'other' forum comes to if I remember correctly is that the Louvre is a safety issue and the radiator isn't. Some people have successfully convinced GM to pay for some or all of the repairs, but it seems those cases are few and far in between with exceptionally stubborn and persistent HUMMER owners.

I agree - it should be a recall and it's really frustrating. I'm not sure there's anything that can be done at this point, though.

I'll also add it has nothing to do with whether you off road or not. Mall crawlers have the same problem. Vibrations from the truck cause a metal bracket to dig into the radiator over time, which causes it to leak.

 

[SolidusJ]

Hmmm I should really get mine looked at when I get back home, I'm sitting with just 44,XXX miles right now. I had the gas tank recall strap and the Louvre crazy glued by the dealer.

 

[4speedfunk]

Like F5 says...the radiator is not a safety issue and as long as it makes it to 36,001 miles...its your problem. GM doesn't care one lick about customer satisfaction or loyalty...and they certainly don't care about Hummer. Quit trying to convince yourself they do. Once you come to the realization that YOUR Hummer is YOUR problem...you'll see the vehicle in a whole new light. Up until recently we've all danced around the warranty blame game. But at this point...there is no reason for any of us to worry about voiding our warranties. Its already voided by default, simply because its a Hummer!

At this point in time, we Hummer owners have "Mechanical Leprosy", in the eyes of nearly all auto shops, (including GM dealers)...and that's only going to get worse. For many of us DIY types...the whole warranty thang has been keeping our mods in check. Once you let go, and remove this restraint...you are free to do whatever you want to your H3! Its quite exciting, if you embrace it. And there is a lot more OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY lurking inside the H3. You just need to be free from warranty concerns to coax it out. Don't be afraid to take it upon yourself to do your own repairs, and also improve the many shortcomings that your H3 has.

Conversely, if you are not a DIY guy...you might want to dump your Hummer soon, or start a Medical Savings Account for it.

 

[MaxPF]

Mine cracked at ~70k mi. I had an extended warranty and paid the $50 deductible rather than losing my mind fighting with GM. I did, call a dealership and have a really frustrating conversation with someone before saying f*$k it and used my extended warranty (took it to a private shop, not the dealer****).

The conclusion the 'other' forum comes to if I remember correctly is that the Louvre is a safety issue and the radiator isn't. Some people have successfully convinced GM to pay for some or all of the repairs, but it seems those cases are few and far in between with exceptionally stubborn and persistent HUMMER owners.

I agree - it should be a recall and it's really frustrating. I'm not sure there's anything that can be done at this point, though.

I'll also add it has nothing to do with whether you off road or not. Mall crawlers have the same problem. Vibrations from the truck cause a metal bracket to dig into the radiator over time, which causes it to leak.

Sounds to me like it is a flaw in the molded tanks.

 

[amrg]

Conversely, if you are not a DIY guy...you might want to dump your Hummer soon, or start a Medical Savings Account for it.

The 3 was actually my first vehicle. And yes its true, the second my warranty ended, I was able to start modding the truck without any worries. 35s on a truck void warranty here, but since Im gna have 2 of the same, I can easily swap tires around everytime for service. offcourse once warranty ends, who gives!

Honestly, if it wasnt for forums like this, where people post what they did, how they did it and what not to do, I wouldnt have had any courage or interest to go under my truck and start exploring/ changing and messing around with things. Worst case, Id go to a mechanic and pay him to do what Im unable to do, guide him through what others on this forum said should be done and learn by watching him do it so Id be able to do that in the future. Its great to be able to do things by yourself If you have the time for it.

 

[f5moab]

"Mechanical Leprosy"

Best phrase I have heard in years for GM ****ty service. HOWEVER, I will say that Moab Chevy has been fantastic and nothing like other GM dealers I have ever dealt with.

 

[Pappibri]

Mine cracked at 71,000... Luckily I have the extended warranty and got a new one installed for free..

 

[JGBB04]

Not just the H3 w/ this problem, 3 out 5 Explorers we have at work have had the same issue

 

[4speedfunk]

Agreed. From 85-99...computer controlled engine management was a giant leap from the 70s stuff. It was electronic but, easy to understand and diagnose. However, since 2000 or so...things have gotten overly complex, and the entire concept has morphed into some sort of software nightmare!

Way back in 1992...I swapped a 1989 5.7L tuned-port motor into my 79 Impala, along with the 700R4 tranny. That car was my daily driver for ten years, and it never let me down. It was electronic...but not schizophrenic. It ran 13.70s (3.73 gears)...got 19mpg...and I drove it cross-country several times. Back then...messing with a tuned-port motor was a pretty bold thing to do. Nowdays...it would be considered old-school. All it had was TPS, IAC, MAF, O2, and knock sensors. It had throttle cable too! When it would throw a code...I could ground A&B terminals on the Diag Port with a paperclip...count the flashes...deteremine the problem...and fix it! PERIOD!

It NEVER threw false codes. If that light came on...you knew something was wrong. And it was easy to figure out what the problem was. Ahh....memories.

 

[f5moab]

How many people know what this is?

 

[alrock]

Toothbrush holder? :wink:

 

[amrg]

Gatling Gun cover?

 

[Reloader]

Adapter module for a 2 cow milking machine?

 

[f5moab]

Come on guys; it's a bore brush holder...:giggle:

 

[MaxPF]

Like F5 says...the radiator is not a safety issue and as long as it makes it to 36,001 miles...its your problem. GM doesn't care one lick about customer satisfaction or loyalty...and they certainly don't care about Hummer. Quit trying to convince yourself they do. Once you come to the realization that YOUR Hummer is YOUR problem...you'll see the vehicle in a whole new light. Up until recently we've all danced around the warranty blame game. But at this point...there is no reason for any of us to worry about voiding our warranties. Its already voided by default, simply because its a Hummer!

At this point in time, we Hummer owners have "Mechanical Leprosy", in the eyes of nearly all auto shops, (including GM dealers)...and that's only going to get worse. For many of us DIY types...the whole warranty thang has been keeping our mods in check. Once you let go, and remove this restraint...you are free to do whatever you want to your H3! Its quite exciting, if you embrace it. And there is a lot more OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY lurking inside the H3. You just need to be free from warranty concerns to coax it out. Don't be afraid to take it upon yourself to do your own repairs, and also improve the many shortcomings that your H3 has.

Conversely, if you are not a DIY guy...you might want to dump your Hummer soon, or start a Medical Savings Account for it.

Or find a buddy who can help you work on stuff.

Not just the H3 w/ this problem, 3 out 5 Explorers we have at work have had the same issue

Heck, Todd had the problem with TWO Ron Davis radiators.Conversely, my plastic-tank radiator (I bought it new, but it was for a late 90's Chevy truck with a 454) has had zero issues, even though the bottom row got bent by an errant bolt head. The tanks on this particular radiator are nice and thick though...

Agreed. From 85-99...computer controlled engine management was a giant leap from the 70s stuff. It was electronic but, easy to understand and diagnose. However, since 2000 or so...things have gotten overly complex, and the entire concept has morphed into some sort of software nightmare!

Way back in 1992...I swapped a 1989 5.7L tuned-port motor into my 79 Impala, along with the 700R4 tranny. That car was my daily driver for ten years, and it never let me down. It was electronic...but not schizophrenic. It ran 13.70s (3.73 gears)...got 19mpg...and I drove it cross-country several times. Back then...messing with a tuned-port motor was a pretty bold thing to do. Nowdays...it would be considered old-school. All it had was TPS, IAC, MAF, O2, and knock sensors. It had throttle cable too! When it would throw a code...I could ground A&B terminals on the Diag Port with a paperclip...count the flashes...deteremine the problem...and fix it! PERIOD!

It NEVER threw false codes. If that light came on...you knew something was wrong. And it was easy to figure out what the problem was. Ahh....memories.

You're talking about the plethora of electronic doo-dads in the newer vehicles. If we limit the discussion to just powertrain management then the newer stuff is WAY better than the old TBI and TPI stuff. I absolutely hate diagnosing wierd/intermittent issues on those older systems; they simply lack the diagnostic capability. Not to mention they aren't tuneable worth a hoot, which is a big deal for guys that like to mod their stuff.

How many people know what this is?

It's a rudder for a duck's butt. LOL, I know what it is, but I'm not be a spoiler

 

[Expendable]

I know what it is too but won't say it in case there are any one on here that don't know. so they can do research. and learn up.

 

[4speedfunk]

Not to mention they aren't tuneable worth a hoot, which is a big deal for guys that like to mod their stuff

Seriously? TUNING an L5? Oh hell no. I'm talking strictly about mall-duty. Just getting a bone stock H3 to 50,000 miles without spending hundreds on diagnosing nuisance CEL's is a challenge. Damn dude....we're just trying to get to the grocery and back. I cross my fingers everytime I start mine!

 

[MaxPF]

Seriously? TUNING an L5? Oh hell no. I'm talking strictly about mall-duty. Just getting a bone stock H3 to 50,000 miles without spending hundreds on diagnosing nuisance CEL's is a challenge. Damn dude....we're just trying to get to the grocery and back. I cross my fingers everytime I start mine!

Well, I think we can all agree that the issues with the I-5 are mechanical, not electrical. Someone definitely screwed the pooch on the Atlas engine design.....

 

[4speedfunk]

One of these days when mine craps out...I'll be contacting you about the diesel swap.

 

[Mr_Rich]

Well, I think we can all agree that the issues with the I-5 are mechanical, not electrical. Someone definitely screwed the pooch on the Atlas engine design.....

IMO; I think that for an off-road vehicle, there's way too many complicated electronics in these trucks. At this point, I'm wary of off-road excursions that take me too far off the beaten path. These trucks are kind of like thoroughbreds compared to old Blazers, Ramchargers, and Cherokees. I'm not including Jeeps simply because I don't include them in a list of daily drivers. I've got a pretty good understanding of electronics, and I'm not 100% confident in the Hummer systems. For one thing, I'd like to have a mechanical or cable linkage throttle control.
I had an '86 Comanche with a 2.8L feedback carbureted engine. I liked the engine design, but it didn't belong in a truck. I've known many who had vehicles with this engine that went 125-200K miles with no trouble. Compared to my Comanche, I'm impressed with the Atlas engine in my 3T. If I can carry 500 lbs. in the pickup bed and keep the speed limit driving up steep grades I'm happy.
I mentioned the Blazers and Ramchargers. They were used as equipment trucks to travel up to remote microwave and cell sites with my job in the telephone company. They beat those trucks to death and they kept on going. I don't think an H3 would survive that kind of use. Those kind of trucks are long gone now as far as the telco is concerned.

 

[Steve #1]

I've actually be relatively impressed with how GM has handled the radiators. I don't recall anyone having to really fight with GM to get them to cover the majority of an out of warranty replacement (maybe dealers, but not GM). They also redesigned the radiator after the majority of the H3s were out of warranty.