Five months ago my anti-lock brakes started locking up on their own. I took the car to the dealer I got it from. They said it was the result of corroded sensors, charged me several hundred bucks, and sent me on my way. Late last night the problem resurfaced. I was nearing a gas station, and when I slowed to around 5 mph, the brakes locked solid! I skidded sideways and by the grace of God, I didn't hit anyone. I called the dealer this morning, after finding out on the net-->that there was a recall issued by GM six years ago for this problem! Yet I was charged full price by the service dept. Needless to say, they will be refunding my money. I asked how to bypass the ABS system, they wouldn't tell me because of the safety issue. They also wouldn't pick my car up, because it was out of warranty. So, I googled the problem, and found out which fuse to pull. Now I have the same kind of brake system (non automatic), that I used the first thirty years I'd driven. Only problem is, now my new brakes are grinding and clunking, which means my rotors and pads are wiped out-maybe the calipers as well.
A. Anyone else have trouble with ABS brakes?
B. Anyone else ever have a dealer try to charge you for recall work?
I can't stress strongly enough, if your vehicle has some sort of problem with something serious, check the net to see if it is covered under a factory recall!
I have had my ABS system fail,but not in the way you describe.I have a warning light on the dashboard that tells me there is a problem with the system.Right now they operate like a standard brake system.The ABS just does not engage anymore.It is probably a wheel sensor not working.
Has anyone had a dealer bill YOU, for a defect covered under a recall? I'm guessing either they can charge a customer more than they would get from the Mfg., or they bill the customer AND the mfg.
Dealers LOVE recall work. I used to work at a dealership and they collect MORE from the manufacturer than they do from a customer.
First, you have to make sure that what they charged you for was "exactly" what the recall was about. Corroded ABS sensors do not sound like a recall. What I'm afraid you're going to find out is that you indeed did have corroded ABS sensors, but you also have some other problem with your ABS that is part of a recall.
My van has the ABS trouble light on the dash and it does not work, but my brakes work just fine. I do not like ABS brakes. I have driven in snow and on ice and realize that simply slowing down and not "locking up" brakes will do you just fine.
According to what the dealer told me, the recall does cover me, as the corrosion occurs as a result of another failure, something about a defect in the housing the sensors mount to. They also said since the defect was supposedly fixed this past August(5 months ago), their warranty of one year on parts and labor will kick in. But who knows. It's not just a sensor problem now, as my front brakes seem to be wiped out. If I drive it now, it sounds like nuts or bolts rattling around in the front wheels. I never had the ABS warning light come on, either. There's no shimmy in the steering, at least.
Sweet mother of moses. They better take care of you on this. Definately sounds like they screwed up on this one.
I'll know something tomorrow. If they get away with it-I'll retaliate by plastering stuff all over the net, for starters.
So name some names. What is the year, make and model of the car, and which dealership did you take it to?