A DRIVER has issued a warning to others about purchasing a popular car model after experiencing issues that led to it being towed.
The motorist, from North Carolina, found herself stranded on the side of the road, watching her new car get hauled away – leaving her with immediate regret over her purchase.
2
2
Her Chevy Tahoe is seemingly one of around 800,000 that were recently recalled by General Motors – who found an issue with their cars and trucks boasting a 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
“Christi, known on TikTok as @medicmom494, shared the heartbreaking moment her Tahoe was lifted onto a tow truck.
The video, which has garnered over 299,000 views and 8,500 likes, is captioned: “Just your sign not to buy one because it’s pretty.”
In a later video, Christi told viewers her and her husband had planned to take a family vacation with their kids – which would’ve seen them take a road trip to Florida.
Unfortunately, the replacement car they have on loan isn’t allowed to be taken on long trips, as more mileage would harm its sell-ability.
The widely reported GM recall affects many popular GM vehicles, including cars built between 2021 and 2024 such as the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, as well as the Chevy Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL.
The issue relates to each car’s crankshaft and connecting rods, which may have been damaged during the manufacturing process.
Ultimately, it’s said the problem could lead to a loss of power or even complete engine failure.
Commenters on the woman’s TikTok video were certainly sympathetic.
One wrote: “This is like the fifth video I’ve seen of these getting towed.”
Another added: “This was my sign because I really was thinking about buying one.”
A third commented: “Thank goodness we got the 5.3 instead of the 6.2.
“We have had some issues in our 2021 Z71 Tahoe but overall no other issues!
“Hate [that] y’all are having to deal with that mess.”
The recall was launched after Gary Johnson, the owner of a 2023 GMC Sierra pickup truck told KTSP that his engine died while traveling along Highway 95 at 65mph.
He told reporters: “It was scary as hell. I am going to be honest. I am, uh, I am just beside myself.”
“It could cause an accident because it could shut down with no notice,” Johnson added, noting that drivers of affected vehicles must immediately visit their local dealership.
“Anything could have happened. I guess I am lucky, you know, that I wasn’t trying to pass somebody, with somebody coming towards me,” he said.
Drivers who own a model that is part of the recall can take their vehicle to a Cadillac, Chevrolet or GMC dealership for a free engine inspection and/or replacement.
Those who pass the inspections will be able to get a higher viscosity oil and a new oil filter and filler cap for free.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
- Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
- Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
- Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
- Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm