mr@isrnix.UUCP (Michael Regoli) (05/15/84)
Attention: GM Owners
Do you own:
- a model THM 200 transmission (see end note);
- a camshaft in a 305 or 350 cubic-inch-displacement
V-8 gasoline engine produced since 1974 in a plant
operated by the Chevrolet Motor Division;
- a fuel injection pump in a 350 cubic-inch-displacement
diesel engine produced in a plant operated by the
Oldsmobile Motor Division?
If you do, you will have had or can expect a failure in any
of the above items.
Likewise, you are eligible to have your complaint resolved
by an impartial arbitrator under a GM program administered
by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
GM sponsors a program to resolve complaints through impartial
arbitration, at NO cost to the consumer if the consumer
can't solve the problem directly with the dealer or the
appropriate GM division. In this program, the BBB mediates
the complaint by encouraging direct dealings between the
consumer and the appropriate GM division or Zone Office.
(Zone Offices are listed in the rear section of your
Owner's Manual.) If this does not resolve the complaint,
the consumer with the complaint can explain his/her situation
to an impartial volunteer arbitrator, trained by the BBB. A
rep from GM tells HIS side as well. GM IS THEN BOUND (BY THE
FTC) BY THE ARBITRATOR'S DECISION. The consumer is not bound
unless he/she accepts the arbitrator's decision.
GM has extended the eligibility to you EVEN IF YOU NO LONGER
OWN THE GM CAR OR LIGHT-DUTY TRUCK WHICH HAD THE PROBLEM OR
FAILURE.
In addition, a former eligibility requirement was that
vehicles must be less than 5 years old to qualify for
arbitration. That limitation has also been lifted for
the components listed above.
A handbook is available that tells you more about the
procedures and other eligibility rules for the arbitration
program. If your interested, call the answering machine
24-hours a day @ (800) 824-5109 or write to:
General Motors Corporation
P. O. Box 30089
Lansing, Michigan 48909
For more info about how to have your complaint processed
through this program, call or write the GM Division
indicated in your Owner's Manual.
Retain ANY and ALL records you may have Re: maintenance,
repairs, etc. These records are important in arbitration
proceedings, although they are not required for eligibility.
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Note: Re: THM 200 automatic transmissions:
The THM 200 series has been used in a wide
variety of different car lines since the
1976 model year. It has only been used in
rear-drive vehicles. One way to determine
if you own a THM 200 transmission is to
examine the transmission's oil pan. If the
word "METRIC" appears on the oil pan; you
are a lucky winner!
I can supply more info on the transmissions if needed.
Good Luck!!
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Michael Regoli ...ihnp4!inuxc!isrnix!mr
Institute for Social Research ...pur-ee!isrnix!mr
Indiana University @ Bloomington ...cbosgd!qusavx!isrnix!mrleon@hhb.UUCP (05/17/84)
I recently submitted a claim to GM on the model 200 transmission which failed on my '77 chevy Impala. I thought that they were pretty fair in responding to me - they offered $400 in compensation for a transmission which was 7 years old with 75,000 miles on it. I don't think I could have reasonably expected much more. leon
ed@mtxinu.UUCP (05/18/84)
The current (June) issue of consumer reports has, in the "Once Over" column, a discussion of the GM arbitration. It discusses some of the benefits that consumers have gotten, as well as some of the difficulties. -- Ed Gould ucbvax!mtxinu!ed