2013 Chevrolet Equinox Body & Structure Problems

Purchased car from dealer on 7/1, car seemed fine at dealer and then died. Took car to oil change place, discovered underneath frame completely rotted out. Called dealer, dealer unwilling to fix, replace or refund vehicle. Had car further inspected to find complete engine, transmission, frame, axle, steering, brake issues. There were no signs of anything wrong at the dealership.

THE ROCKER PANELS, DOORS AND TAILGATE ARE HEAVILY CORRODING AND THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LARGE STRIPS.

I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I NOTICED A SMALL PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE HOOD IN ONE SPECIFIC PLACE. PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THERE WAS NOT A MESSGAE WARNING OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP ON 4/16/2014. NOTHING WAS NOTED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC FORM TO FIX OR REPLACE. IT WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEARLERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR AT. I QUICKLY GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND BEGIN TO GET MY THREE YEAR OLD OUT OF HIS CARSEAT. I LOOKED AT THE HOOD AND THERE WAS SO MUCH BLACK SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE HOOD I COULD NOT SEE OUR SHED OR ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. I YELLED TO THE OTHER TWO CHILDREN (BOTH 6), TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARSEATS AND RUN INTO THE WOODS. I UNBUCKLED ONE CHILD AND THE OTHER CHILD SLIPPED OUT OF HER BUCKLE. THEY RAN TO A SAFE SPOT. I RAN INTO THE HOUSE CALLED 911 AND GOT OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. CAME OUTSUDE AND THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE FILLING THE SKY AND POURING OUT OF THE HOOD IN NUMEROUS PLACES. I USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHICH DID NOT HELP. I GOT THE GARDEN HOSE AND TRIED TO USE THAT, BUT WAS GETTING TOO DANGEROUS. SO I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS MAKING LOUD CRACKING AND EXPLODING NOISES. THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE I COULD NOT SEE THE HOUSE WHICH WAS CLOSE BY. THE WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE PASSANGER AIRBAG WENT OFF. THE THREE CHILDREN COUNTINUED TO BE 500 FEET INTO THE WOODS AND I FRANTICALLY WAS RUNNING AROUND (37 WEEK PREGNANT).THE SHED CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE COMPLETLY MELTED AND RUINED OUR DRIVEWAY. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR, THE DOORS COLLAPSED INTO THE FENDER, CREATING DENTS IN THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DOORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

THE EXTREME SLOPE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENSIVE DASHBOARD SURFACE TOP, COMBINED WITH MY SLOPED DRIVEWAY PRODUCES A SEVERE GLARE THAT REDUCES VISIBILITY TO THE POINT WHERE I AM FORCED TO INCH INTO MY GARAGE. THE GREY DASHBOARD BECOMES THE DOMINATE VISIBLE ELEMENT, REFLECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO A HEADS UP DISPLAY. DAYLIGHT IS THE MOST CRITICAL TIMEFRAME. ADDING A BLACK CARPET DASHBOARD COVER REDUCED BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. I WOULD EXPECT TALLER DRIVERS WOULD HAVE AN EVEN GREATER PROBLEM. DRIVING IN NORMAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE AN ISSUE, HOWEVER THE TRANSITION INTO A LOW LEVEL LIGHTED AREA IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, TURNING THEM ON OR OFF DID NOT HELP. *TR