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I'm not sure if this should go under service issues or powertrain. It was a horrible experience on both counts. But hey, you've now got a long rant from a moderator!
As some of you may remember, I've been fighting with this car since ~40,000 miles with an intermittently-knocking flywheel. I have made a number of dealer trips and wasted many hours of my time.
Videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKYkN_ezqAU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FQjZWAEkng
That gradually got worse, and was replaced around 2 months ago when the entire car began to shake at times and I was finally able to duplicate the noise for the dealer.
Flywheel was changed after a few days, and the car was given back to me with a leaky axle seal and still rattling, albeit a different rattle this time, but still quite obvious once the car was warmed up.
After driving it for about a week, it was back to the shop (which, by the way, is 45 minutes away - the only one that has hours that really work for me, and that I can get it into and actually talk to someone.
They put me in a 2016 Cruze loaner for about 3 weeks in all, which was about the only positive part of my experience. After stalling for a few days trying to duplicate the noise first for the foreman, then the transmission tech, and then consulting with GM, they finally decided to replace the flywheel (again), as well as the entire transmission under warranty. I also asked them to install a pressure plate and new clutch disc at my own expense while they were in there.
When I got the car back, once again I knew something was off right away. The engine was whistling to itself there at idle, and I smelled oil burning. Without ever leaving the dealer lot, I pulled back into the service bay. I suspected a leaky valve cover again (this one lasted a whole 10,000 miles). The foreman was pulled into the case again, and I was put back into the same rental car while they diagnosed and ordered parts. In the end, they replaced the valve cover and repaired "a gasket" leaking (I have no idea which one, and neither does the service advisor) Another couple hours of my time wasted.
I finally got the car back Friday, and I am happy to report that the new transmission/clutch/flywheel drives very well, and I no longer have a vacuum/massive oil leak (and still can't figure out how that was missed - there was oil all over the back of the motor). This time the shop foreman personally drove the car to make sure everything was in working order after I gave him an earful about the mechanics not checking their work and wasting my time to come all the way across town in heavy traffic. I put about 600 miles on it this weekend, some of it in heavy traffic, and it seems to be driving well.
While I absolutely loved the new Cruze and was impressed with it in many ways compared to mine and other cars that I've driven, I think that between the dealer network in my area (I have been to 4 in my area and have yet to have a very positive experience with one) and the myriad of issues I've had with this car, I would have a VERY hard time staying with GM in the future. A freaking transmission should definitely last more than 52,000 miles. Thank goodness this car came with a good powertrain warranty.
Shiny new transmission
As some of you may remember, I've been fighting with this car since ~40,000 miles with an intermittently-knocking flywheel. I have made a number of dealer trips and wasted many hours of my time.
Videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKYkN_ezqAU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FQjZWAEkng
That gradually got worse, and was replaced around 2 months ago when the entire car began to shake at times and I was finally able to duplicate the noise for the dealer.
Flywheel was changed after a few days, and the car was given back to me with a leaky axle seal and still rattling, albeit a different rattle this time, but still quite obvious once the car was warmed up.
After driving it for about a week, it was back to the shop (which, by the way, is 45 minutes away - the only one that has hours that really work for me, and that I can get it into and actually talk to someone.
They put me in a 2016 Cruze loaner for about 3 weeks in all, which was about the only positive part of my experience. After stalling for a few days trying to duplicate the noise first for the foreman, then the transmission tech, and then consulting with GM, they finally decided to replace the flywheel (again), as well as the entire transmission under warranty. I also asked them to install a pressure plate and new clutch disc at my own expense while they were in there.
When I got the car back, once again I knew something was off right away. The engine was whistling to itself there at idle, and I smelled oil burning. Without ever leaving the dealer lot, I pulled back into the service bay. I suspected a leaky valve cover again (this one lasted a whole 10,000 miles). The foreman was pulled into the case again, and I was put back into the same rental car while they diagnosed and ordered parts. In the end, they replaced the valve cover and repaired "a gasket" leaking (I have no idea which one, and neither does the service advisor) Another couple hours of my time wasted.
I finally got the car back Friday, and I am happy to report that the new transmission/clutch/flywheel drives very well, and I no longer have a vacuum/massive oil leak (and still can't figure out how that was missed - there was oil all over the back of the motor). This time the shop foreman personally drove the car to make sure everything was in working order after I gave him an earful about the mechanics not checking their work and wasting my time to come all the way across town in heavy traffic. I put about 600 miles on it this weekend, some of it in heavy traffic, and it seems to be driving well.
While I absolutely loved the new Cruze and was impressed with it in many ways compared to mine and other cars that I've driven, I think that between the dealer network in my area (I have been to 4 in my area and have yet to have a very positive experience with one) and the myriad of issues I've had with this car, I would have a VERY hard time staying with GM in the future. A freaking transmission should definitely last more than 52,000 miles. Thank goodness this car came with a good powertrain warranty.

Shiny new transmission