Why Isn't there a recall?

[f5moab]

IMO; I think that for an off-road vehicle, there's way too many complicated electronics in these trucks. At this point, I'm wary of off-road excursions that take me too far off the beaten path. These trucks are kind of like thoroughbreds compared to old Blazers, Ramchargers, and Cherokees. I'm not including Jeeps simply because I don't include them in a list of daily drivers. I've got a pretty good understanding of electronics, and I'm not 100% confident in the Hummer systems. For one thing, I'd like to have a mechanical or cable linkage throttle control.
I had an '86 Comanche with a 2.8L feedback carbureted engine. I liked the engine design, but it didn't belong in a truck. I've known many who had vehicles with this engine that went 125-200K miles with no trouble. Compared to my Comanche, I'm impressed with the Atlas engine in my 3T. If I can carry 500 lbs. in the pickup bed and keep the speed limit driving up steep grades I'm happy.
I mentioned the Blazers and Ramchargers. They were used as equipment trucks to travel up to remote microwave and cell sites with my job in the telephone company. They beat those trucks to death and they kept on going. I don't think an H3 would survive that kind of use. Those kind of trucks are long gone now as far as the telco is concerned.

Complicated electronics are the only way the manufacturers can meet emissions, fuel mileage and safety requirements. And generally speaking, they are a heck of a lot more reliable than the mechanical parts of the engine and the trans. When I go out by myself, which I do a lot, I am more worried about the trans blowing, or the engine conking out. Jeeps are used as daily drivers as much as H3s, but they are also plagued by electronics as well as a known engine problem with their newer models.

As for lasting as long as Blazers...I will agree. I do not believe in 20 years you will see H3's being run on roads like old blazers or even old explorers are today; at least with the powertrain from the factory. (Or even old Jeeps.) GM did to many costs cuttings to the H3 to keep the price down.

 

[bendyprissy]

Mine cracked at ~70k mi. I had an extended warranty and paid the $50 deductible rather than losing my mind fighting with GM. I did, call a dealership and have a really frustrating conversation with someone before saying f*$k it and used my extended warranty (took it to a private shop, not the dealer****).

The conclusion the 'other' forum comes to if I remember correctly is that the Louvre is a safety issue and the radiator isn't. Some people have successfully convinced GM to pay for some or all of the repairs, but it seems those cases are few and far in between with exceptionally stubborn and persistent HUMMER owners.

I agree - it should be a recall and it's really frustrating. I'm not sure there's anything that can be done at this point, though.

I'll also add it has nothing to do with whether you off road or not. Mall crawlers have the same problem. Vibrations from the truck cause a metal bracket to dig into the radiator over time, which causes it to leak.

Do you know where the metal is rubbing so we can try to do a little prevention?

 

[ReconH3]

Do you know where the metal is rubbing so we can try to do a little prevention?

Exactly what I was thinking.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[SickStringC]

Do you know where the metal is rubbing so we can try to do a little prevention?

It's on the top of the tank, I want to say it was right of center. Mine started with just a small leak - I could smell the sweet smell of coolant. I've heard of folks trying to reinforce the radiator in this spot under where the metal bracket rubs using epoxy and other methods - but I didn't know about any of this until after it was too late for me. New radiator doesn't have the defect (the radiator has been redesigned).

Found a thread where someone came up with a solution on another forum:

http://www.hummerforums.com/forum/hummer-h3-17/h3-radiator-crack-fix-beating-dead-horse-25215/