Sunroof / Water leaking problem in 2007 Optra 1.6 LT Royale Hey Guys
I bought my Optra royale 1.6 LT only because of GM fitted sunroofs (they did look swanky) last august from national garage (mahalaxmi) and today I am truly disgusted... n its Friday evening so thought I all share my story. Odo is just 3400 KM (second free service due) and daily commute from khar to shantakruz and back.
Just after Mumbai dreaded rains started pouring in last Friday morning I found my car co passenger and left rear compartment drenched in water. Yeah...the water accumulation was 4-6 inches. Had shock of my life. But like a scientist the next thought was “It has to be me and the bloody window". I was convinced that I had not rolled the window completely last night. Took towels / sponge and started pulling water out. The ordeal ended an hour n half later and I felt better with revised appearance of my car. Ran the heater for an hour or so...felt even better.
Hoped the sun come out (which of course it dint ) or else was thinking to take it to service center next day for faster drying. And yes. I double checked all the windows before calling it a day.
Next day morning - Opened..Shocked. Same amount of water (it did rain last night). A careful inspection revealed that water is coming in from the roof-linings just beneath A pillar (in other words just above the front co-passenger window). I simply could not believe it...I had paid almost 6 digits for this car and this is what GM had throwed in...
I waited till it rained again and took my handycam to take live "leaking" video. This I thought is for safety and also evidence (if I decide to take to courts)
took it to garage immediately. The guys were prompt enough to respond and they said it’s indeed a product complaint, they will have some one from GM see it and they will do it under warranty. Then we also discovered that sunroof frame assembly has a visible rust-in, which was surprise number 2.
Guys... its 9 months old car with just 3400 on ODO...
I demanded a temp replacement vehicle which they dint entertain and said can only be provided from coming Friday (today).
I also demanded (from GM engineer) that my warranty to be extended (since I do not know what kind of problem this vehicle may throw later, if this is how it performed before 1 st anniversary), they refused ( i was pissed and hence adamant) and that’s were things started getting sour.
Next day i receive a mail claiming that " Only partial water leakage was from the ‘A Pillar’" and the reason they say is blocked water galleries of the sun roof, due to accumulation of dust and other particles in them". They did say they will do it under warranty" . However, the mail further says "a majority of water was also leaking in the passenger compartment due to the non fitment of rubber grommet of the left fender due to the extra fitment of the stereo amplifier ". This view was “repeated” by GM engineer as well. And from there the "warranty" changed to ":goodwill gesture".
The interesting part is – a) the potential point do not have a visible hole and b) also it is vertical (90*) c) Covered by front left fender anyway. I simply failed to understand how rain water will come in (unless some one removes the fender, aims at the wiring point with high pressure water).
What has also changed is their version from “Water can come in” to “majority of water has come in” from the one mail to another. I have posted the pic of the discussion point also for you experts to understand and advice.
My video clearly shows that water is leaking from the top pretty severely and that they say is “minor” reason for leakage. Guys will update the video and provide the link by tomorrow. You decide.
They have refused to offer any additional warranty, I dint had a car entire this week, I have a car today without mats (it will take 1 week), and I can’t quantify the agony during the week.
I feel cheated (more so due to their counter arguments) and seriously contemplating legal GM with damages (doing my home work now). I do wonder if buying an Optra was a good idea, I could have spent my money well.
Any body with a similar experience / advices / remarks..Let it come...
Will upload video tomorrow... Note from the Team-BHP Support Staff : This topic has been moved to the appropriate section.
We thank you for your thread, and would appreciate you taking the effort to post in the correct section.
Last edited by Jaggu : 14th June 2008 at 01:48.
Reason: Moved to the appropriate section
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