general problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Tracker

2001 chevy Tracker with rusted front cross member. The cross member rusted and broke leaving the lower a arm disconnect from the frame on one end. This causes an uncontrollable shake and totally out of control. This is extremely dangerous, especially at highway speeds. I contacted a chevy dealer and also general motors and was told that there is nothing that can be done because the special coverage offer had expired. The special coverage was for 10 years or 150,000 miles. My Tracker has 59,450 miles but was rejected because of a time limit. I was never sent a notice because I was not the original owner and didn't buy it from a gm dealer. Gm could have queried each state's registration databases for ownership. I was told by gm that I could have brought it in and had it inspected. How would I have known to bring it in for inspection if I am unaware that a potential structural problem exist. This is a structural item that should outlast the drive line and body . . . To limit it by time or mileage is absurd and shrugging responsibility. The very last thing that should fail is the structure. I argued that it is a factory defect and should have no time limit because it is a structural item which when failed could cause an accident and possible death and property damage. And I feel that the factory should be liable for the entire life of the vehicle. If it is otherwise road worthy and meets state inspection then the special coverage should apply. It is the factory's responsibility to provide safe vehicles. With a computer model, knowing the grade of steel, the thickness of the steel one can calculate the approximate time it would take to rust through. This is why there should be no time limit for responsibility.

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tracker. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle started to shake and wobble from side to side without warning. The brakes were applied and the contact was able to pull over. The vehicle was then taken to an automotive shop where it was diagnosed that the suspension cross member was rusted completely. The dealer was contacted and they did not acknowledge the failure due to the age and mileage of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired with a new suspension cross member and control bushing. The failure mileage was 113,000 and the current mileage was 113,925.

In June 2011, car was almost 10 yrs. Old and had 99,919 miles on it. Brought it to dealer for 100,000 mile tune-up and other work. Asked them to check out entire car, and saw banners for 24 point inspection if I added tire rotation. . . So I did. In sept. 2014 (cars 13 years old and has 113, 000 miles on it) I'm told that front suspension crossmember will need to be replaced (soon). When I went online to find the part, first site I see tells me about gm's "special warranty" on that part. I check my dealer receipt and realize the rusted part should've been replaced, for free, back in 2011. Now, it's actually busted through and can not be driven safely. Contacted gm/dealer, car was towed to dealer and back home. Gm/dealer will not pay for replacement because all that rust happened in the last 3 (ish) years, not in the close to 10 years it was driven for close to 100,000 miles on chicago area streets which are heavily salted. The streets up here are sanded and in the last 3 (ish) years I've only put another 13,000 miles on the car. Never seen the inside of a garage so 'parked' conditions are the same in both areas. I have filed a complaint w/the bbb so we'll see how far that gets me. Filing this complaint because gm's answer to my question of why it wasn't replaced in 2011 was that "dealers are not required to tell customers about special warranty parts". Seriously???.