New truck w P0172 & turned away from service dept

CTSV Pilot · June 14, 2021

My new 2021 RST 6.2 threw a P0172 this weekend so I wanted to get it in right away to have it looked at. Got to the service department when they opened and the porter came over and asked if I had an appointment to which I said no, unfortunately I have a check engine light on. He proceeded to tell me sorry sir, you have to have an appointment. To which I said, for a check engine light? He said yes, for anything….that’s the rule. So I politely asked him for the service manager and he came over. I told him I needed someone to look at my truck as it threw a code this weekend and he told me the same thing, we don’t do anything without an appointment. I asked how that is possible, I have a new vehicle that has an issue and I am supposed to be driving it on a trip tomorrow. He said they have 94 appointments today all booked up and there’s nothing he can do. If I was looking to have my oil changed or tires rotated, then yes an appointment makes sense but this is a check engine and not something that can be scheduled.

I am flabbergasted that a service department won’t even take the time to read the code and see if there’s anything they can do on a nearly brand new vehicle.

Transient · June 14, 2021

It's not just happening to you. I scheduled an appointment for an oil change and to have some warranty work done. I was told my dealer is so backed up that I won't receive a loaner while my truck is in for the warranty work. None available, and it's not like they can just pull onr off the sales lot because of depleted inventory. It is what it is. I put on my big boy pants and accepted this answer. It is what it is. A year ago when all this garbage started everybody started saying this would be the "new normal". Either accept it, or do something about it.

Since your truck is new did you try pressing the OnStar button for help?

BIGDOGx · June 14, 2021

5 hours ago, CTSV Pilot said:

My new 2021 RST 6.2 threw a P0172 this weekend so I wanted to get it in right away to have it looked at. Got to the service department when they opened and the porter came over and asked if I had an appointment to which I said no, unfortunately I have a check engine light on. He proceeded to tell me sorry sir, you have to have an appointment. To which I said, for a check engine light? He said yes, for anything….that’s the rule. So I politely asked him for the service manager and he came over. I told him I needed someone to look at my truck as it threw a code this weekend and he told me the same thing, we don’t do anything without an appointment. I asked how that is possible, I have a new vehicle that has an issue and I am supposed to be driving it on a trip tomorrow. He said they have 94 appointments today all booked up and there’s nothing he can do. If I was looking to have my oil changed or tires rotated, then yes an appointment makes sense but this is a check engine and not something that can be scheduled.

I am flabbergasted that a service department won’t even take the time to read the code and see if there’s anything they can do on a nearly brand new vehicle.

Yes it sucks to have an issue but should the dealer tell a person who scheduled an appointment that they can't be seen because their spot was taken with a walk in?

I wouldn't doubt these dealers are in not much of a better spot then retail or the food industry right now with employee availability. When you decentivize actually working for a living, because a dumb moronic government pays people more money to sit on their butts, this is the end result!

Grover67 · June 15, 2021

Had the same thing happen last summer. Left on a Sunday and about a hour into my trip check engine light came on, didn't bring my scanner as I figured I didn't need being new. Next morning called dealer that was next to our motel just to get it checked to see if it needed service right away if something was serious or not. Ya we can get you in Wednesday or Thursday, uh that don't work for me. Can I just get it checked to see whats going on, Nope......

Always been a issue for me with having to make an appointment for something mundane as checking a code or even a oil change......scam for self importance I guess

-Grover67

Hitman Bronson · June 17, 2021

My 2021 RST had the same warning light come on at 500 miles, I called the dealer right then as I was driving home. They said they could look at it 8 days later and that was the earliest appointment available. Once the sale is made we’re simply looked at as a number.
I had work out of town the following two days and put on 175 miles, filled up the tank and the warning light went off the next day. I made sure to take pictures and document my phone calls.

Transient · June 19, 2021

On 6/14/2021 at 12:57 PM, BIGDOGx said:

Yes it sucks to have an issue but should the dealer tell a person who scheduled an appointment that they can't be seen because their spot was taken with a walk in?

I wouldn't doubt these dealers are in not much of a better spot then retail or the food industry right now with employee availability. When you decentivize actually working for a living, because a dumb moronic government pays people more money to sit on their butts, this is the end result!

Here's a dirty little secret about scheduling appointments with the dealerships. They're BULL***T. Your truck goes into the back of the line when it shows up. The vehicle that shows up after you is placed behind yours. First come, first serve. We're use to the opposite because of other businesses like the dentist and doctors offices. They'll get to your truck when they get to it in the order it arrived. I'm in the exact same boat right now. My truck is in for minor warranty work. They won't approve a loaner until the tech looks at the truck and confirms warranty work. That should take 2 minutes, max. It's a failing bushing on the tailgate, and an led fog light with a short. I'm without a vehicle for maybe 1-2 weeks, based on what I've been told for 2 simple jobs that should take 15 minutes max for both jobs combined. The only reason I would get a loaner is because they have to wait for the replacement parts to arrive.

If it sounds like I'm pissed off at the dealer or GM, understand that I'm not. It's just the way things are right now. I have no doubt the techs are doing their best, and the service writers that have to deal with dumb a**holes like you and me are burned out at the end of the day because we're up in their business being as displeasing as we can be (Actually it's you, not me. I'm nice to people when things go south because you attract more flies with honey than you do vinegar.). My truck is my daily driver. Being without it affects everything I do. The only thing that could've prevented my inconvenience is doing the work myself, even though it's covered under warranty (would've cost me about $200 and 15 minutes). I made the choice I made, and you made the choice you made. Man up and deal with it.