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GM Announces Limited Reimbursement Program for Corvette Owners Facing Wheel Damage
Owners of C7 Corvette Z06 and Grand Sport models have experienced significant frustration after investing in their dream vehicles, only to face issues with bent or cracked wheels after hitting potholes. This problem has persisted for many owners, with some facing damage multiple times. Despite numerous lawsuits and customer complaints regarding these defective wheels, General Motors (GM) has only recently addressed the issue, offering to reimburse owners for the repair or replacement costs linked to poor manufacturing. However, the offer comes with specific conditions.
In a recent announcement reported by CarComplaints, GM introduced the Corvette Wheels Limited Special Reimbursement Program, which applies to both current and former owners or lessees of the 2015-2019 Z06 and 2017-2019 Grand Sport models. Under this program, customers can claim reimbursement for 100% of out-of-pocket expenses incurred for replacing or repairing bent or cracked wheels covered under the original warranty, as well as the extended four-year/48,000-mile warranty, regardless of whether the work was completed at a GM dealership. However, customers must provide evidence proving that the damage was not caused by their own actions.
The program stipulates that reimbursement is not available if there are service records, invoices, or receipts from GM or any authorized dealer that specify the wheel was repaired or replaced due to impact damage or road hazards, such as cracks or punctures that occurred from hitting potholes or curbs.
While it is understandable that warranty coverage should not apply in cases where a wheel is damaged due to negligent driving, many feel that an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) wheel should withstand some minor impacts. Unfortunately, if a dealership technician notes that a pothole caused the wheel damage in their records, the owner could be ineligible for reimbursement.
Customers seeking reimbursement can also submit a sworn statement affirming that the vehicle required a wheel repair or replacement for reasons unrelated to impact or road hazard damage.
In essence, owners can receive reimbursement for replacement wheels purchased during the warranty period due to original wheels cracking, provided they can attest that the damage was not due to road conditions. However, any mention of "pothole damage" in the service documentation could jeopardize their chances of receiving compensation, even if the owner did not explicitly mention the cause of the damage.
GM’s reluctance to trust customer claims is particularly frustrating, given the numerous reports detailing issues with bent or cracked wheels on the Z06 and Grand Sport models. A long-term test by Car and Driver on a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport revealed a troubling level of wheel damage, with the publication incurring over $4,000 in repair and replacement costs due to seven repairs and three replacements over 40,000 miles—an average failure rate of once every 4,000 miles.
For customers interested in pursuing reimbursement for wheel repairs or replacements, they are instructed to contact Analytics Consulting directly rather than a GM dealership at 833-941-5297. The Drive has reached out to GM for further comment and will update the story as more information becomes available.
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