With all the adverse publicity GM has been getting as of late...it got me to wondering.Are they really that bad....that unreliable...ridden with problems ?We have/had a number of GM's in our family. Currently a 2007 Buick Lacrosse with the 3.8 V6 and a 2010 Chevy Cobalt with the 2.2 liter 4 cylinder.The Buick had 135\k on the odometer. I've needed two brake jobs and a water pump. Other than oil/filter/fluid changes...that's it. Oh...a new set of tires.Pretty good for 7 + years I think.The Cobalt has had a new battery, this winter. That's it.The Cobalt has been called in for the ignition recall. Will be fixed by the dealer. No problems with it, but GM will replace.My son just traded his '08 Chevy Colorado with 130K on it....on a new Jeep.His Chevy pickup has the Z 71 package and 5 cylinder engine. Didn't have to replace brakes or tires in that period...although he was would of been soon.Had a transmission tube leak. Fixed under warranty.That's it.We had a '97 Chevy Astro with 180K accumulated over 10 years. One tune up, 3 sets of tires including original factory tires. Had an electrical short that the dealer fixed...first time.Towed our trailer over many areas of North America. Ni problems....oh had a tune up at 138K.We also have a '07 Toyota Matrix. We've had the EM replaced, sensors, etc.It has 77K on it. All these vehicles bought new.We live in an area where it goes to -35 or colder....and to the high 90's in the summer. Usually 5 .5 months of hard winter. Some of the vehicles never see the inside of a garage during their lives. How have other GM owners found their vehicles ?

Been a GM guy all my life. I have no complaints or issues with GM. We've purchased new and used. There IS normal wear and tear on any vehicle, true, but nothing unusual for me ... ever, unless it was something I neglected (like my very first pick-up truck was a Chevy S-10 (1985 model). I drove it for 10 years, had 100,000 miles on it, and the engine just died, kaput! Turned out it was my fault ... the engine oil was so gunked up, it was almost like dry mud! I learned the value of 3000 mile oil changes instead of 20,000 mile oil changes because I thought I had to be thrifty! Still, 100,000 on that little truck, I can't complain. It survived lots of abuse, and like Timex, it kept "ticking!"

I've owned mostly GM. The only one I really had a lot of trouble with was my Trailblazer. And even that one never left me stranded. Keep in mind the increased number of recalls has to do with internal efforts to ferret out issues before the government does it for them. That and the fact that they have a govt appointed nanny to watch over their safety QA. None of this is anything the other manufacturers don't have problems with but aren't fessing up to yet.

Not bad in my book. I own a 99 chevy venture 250,000 miles , 2000 suburban 200,000 miles, and a 2000 gmc sierra 282,000 miles. All three look and drive perfect and have original trans and engine. If I could buy a new one today it would be a GM !! but you new that already

The quality of the vehicles is about on par with any other manufacturer, in my opinion. I have political reasons to never buy another GM product.

New ceo mary is proving that quality control at GM just turned up. Even with all the publicity it has not affected sales numbers. Almost all have gone up.

GM...How bad are they ? | Good Sam Community

BurbMan
Explorer II
Jun 13, 2014
I've done my fair share of repairs to the ol' Suburban, but it pales in comparison to how Ford is bending over their customers with the 6.0, 6.4, and now 6.7 diesel engines.
ib516
Explorer II
Jun 13, 2014
They are not any better or worse than any of the others.

They are just on the hot seat right now because they got caught with their pants down over the ignition switch recall and attempted cover-up.
Mafman
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
Both my tow vehicles have been GM. I had an '09 GMC Sierra 1500 which was a very reliable truck for the time that I had it (80,000KM. There was an issue with lifters sticking which I believe was also my fault for not respecting the oil change schedule - fixed under warranty.

I had the front bumper develop premature rust which was also fixed after warranty, but was a known defect.

My newest TV is a GMC Sierra 2500HD and I have yet to have any issues with it. It has 30,000KM on it.

My brother in law owns a new (2012 or 13) Ford F-150 EcoBoost which is a surprisingly capable engine. It has, however, had a number of recalls, mostly due to condensation/turbo and exhaust issues. He still likes his truck.

I think either way, all brands have their qualities and as was mentioned by Campfire, these companies are just doing a better job of addressing potential quality control issues and hazards. Whichever you choose, enjoy it and care for it.
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
New ceo mary is proving that quality control at GM just turned up. Even with all the publicity it has not affected sales numbers. Almost all have gone up.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jun 13, 2014
The quality of the vehicles is about on par with any other manufacturer, in my opinion. I have political reasons to never buy another GM product.
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
Not bad in my book. I own a 99 chevy venture 250,000 miles , 2000 suburban 200,000 miles, and a 2000 gmc sierra 282,000 miles. All three look and drive perfect and have original trans and engine. If I could buy a new one today it would be a GM !! but you new that already
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
I've owned mostly GM. The only one I really had a lot of trouble with was my Trailblazer. And even that one never left me stranded.

Keep in mind the increased number of recalls has to do with internal efforts to ferret out issues before the government does it for them. That and the fact that they have a govt appointed nanny to watch over their safety QA. None of this is anything the other manufacturers don't have problems with but aren't fessing up to yet.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 13, 2014
Been a GM guy all my life. I have no complaints or issues with GM. We've purchased new and used. There IS normal wear and tear on any vehicle, true, but nothing unusual for me ... ever, unless it was something I neglected (like my very first pick-up truck was a Chevy S-10 (1985 model). I drove it for 10 years, had 100,000 miles on it, and the engine just died, kaput! Turned out it was my fault ... the engine oil was so gunked up, it was almost like dry mud! I learned the value of 3000 mile oil changes instead of 20,000 mile oil changes because I thought I had to be thrifty! Still, 100,000 on that little truck, I can't complain. It survived lots of abuse, and like Timex, it kept "ticking!"

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GM...How bad are they ?

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