Automobile Industry Customer Satisfaction Surveys ARE the Same As Vehicle Recall Notices

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The Issue

On October 1, 2015, my husband and I left on vacation from our home in California heading to Oklahoma.  We drove my 2010 Cadillac SRX on this trip.  On October 4, 2015, we encountered a heavy rain storm in Amarillo, Texas, and subsequently discovered that the floor on the passenger side of the vehicle was soaked with water.  My husband checked under the vehicle and in the engine compartment and could find no source of the leak; he also made sure that the sunroof was completely closed, which it was.  I called my Service Representative at Paradise Chevrolet and Cadillac in Temecula, CA, and was told that there had been a recall notice for 2010 to 2012 Cadillac SRX's due to "sunroof drain hose leaks." My representative provided me with the Customer Satisfaction Document ID Number: 14225, however, he indicated that the state where I purchased the vehicle, Oklahoma, our resident state, California, and the state where we had experienced the problem, Texas, were exempt from this recall.  I had a "certified used car warranty," however, I was told that it had expired on September 25, 2015.  My vehicle only had 76,144 miles on it at the time of this incident.  On October 5, 2015, my vehicle was serviced in Texas, and they confirmed that the leak was caused by the sunroof drain hoses.  The repairs amounted to $731.46.  I contacted Cadillac Customer Service to ask for assistance.  I was subsequently told that I would be responsible for the entire bill.  I explained that this design flaw represented a safety issue in that the water damage can cause rust and mold to the vehicle as well as potentially affect electronic and mechanical systems.  The recall document, which I later learned was considered to be "A Customer Satisfaction Survey", stated: "What We Will Do: Your GM dealer will replace the front sunroof drain hoses on your vehicle.  This service will be performed for you at no charge until January 31, 2017.  After that, lany applicable warranty will apply."   I sent a formal letter to Cadillac Customer Assistance Center with documentation of the repair bill, Customer Satisfaction Document, and other documents.  My request for reimbursement was denied, and the representative that I spoke with said that a Customer Satisfaction Survey is NOT the same as a Recall Notice.  I contend that if the automobile manufacturer brings to the consumers' attention a design flaw, and especially one that could be potentially dangerous, then it should be at the manufacturers expense that this flaw be repaired not matter if they call it a Customer Satisfaction Survey or a Recall Notice.  

The Decision Makers

National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration

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