Test drove a 2023 Tahoe/Lost front driver side wheel

[Micahendrix]

Test drove our first Tahoe and fell in love. Finally found the premier we were looking for. We drive to dealership to purchase. Right before my wife signed the paperwork, she took a quick ride to be sure. Pulled out and went one block. Took off from first stop sign, turned to the right and the entire front driver tire came off completely. Dealer said he could fix back like new with no worries. Would like to get opinions from those who know more than me. Should I move on from this. It is a 2023 with about 50 miles on it. Can it be repaired back to factory? Am I taking a risk? Appreciate all opinions.

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum and IMO, I would run not walk away from that vehicle. It is possessed. It should and will now have a crash/vehicle damage listed on CarFax.

 

[bill1013]

That’s an omen of things to come. Look at another vehicle at another dealership.

 

[StephenPT]

Somebody forgot to torque the lug nuts to spec… how many other parts on that rig didn’t get torqued to spec? It’s a mass produced vehicle and one of many available. Just find the next one that works for what you want/need.

 

[swathdiver]

I bet they didn't tighten them at all! Probably came in with transport tires and the dealer put on the tires and a tech forgot to put the lugs on or even tight them.

I've done burnouts with one lug nut and the wheel didn't come off.

They can fix it perfect if so inclined. If it's exactly what you wanted and you accept that you may have to bring it back once or twice to get the repair completed, buy it.

 

[drakon543]

if it is indeed perfect when you come back to decide if your going to buy it AND the price came down because well it has technically been damaged. id still buy it but obviously i wouldn't use them for servicing lol.
actually had this happen before but it wasn't something new but we did really like it. my experience was the shop did a full service and a few repair items. one of which apparently had something to do with the driver side axle nut. pulled the hub in half ripped the brake line off and beat up the lower a arm. came back and indeed everything had been replaced price drop and they threw in some extras.
either way its why im not keen when some people want to use a awd/4wd hub on a 2wd.

 

[CMoore711]

if it is indeed perfect when you come back to decide if your going to buy it AND the price came down because well it has technically been damaged. id still buy it but obviously i wouldn't use them for servicing lol.

This 100%. And don’t let them lowball you and think “oh we knocked off $500 or $1,000 off the purchase price.” No. That used to be brand new vehicle is no longer brand new. Think about when you go to buy a used vehicle how much the value decreases when the vehicle has an accident on its history. And I can guarantee you this: That repair job is much more than just replacing a front fender and repainting.

First things first: DO NOT COMMIT TO ANYTHING WITH THE DEALER ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO ANY REPAIRS BEING MADE.

Remember you don’t own this vehicle it is not your problem. You can walk away.

If you consider still buying this vehicle after its repaired I recommend 2 things:

1. Ask for a complete detailed list of the repair that was done to the vehicle that includes all OEM part numbers that were purchased and replaced as well as a list of any parts that were removed and reinstalled. If the dealership doesn’t have its own body shop I would request to see the repair invoice from whatever body shop did the repairs. This is a simple request.

2. I would request at minimum a discount of 10% of the original vehicle purchase price you were going to buy it for. Any discount or reduction in sales price less than that you are taking the hit.

If they can’t at least offer that walk away and move on.

 

[Silverado4x4]

I agree with the others, that vehicle came with transport wheels and someone didn't tighten that wheel correctly surprised a vibration wasn't felt on the test drive. As far as it showing up on like a Carfax report I dough it very much due to it not being registered or insured yet that would be a question to ask them. If you do take it I would get a discount like 10% or so.

Short story, my uncle worked for Ford when I was little he worked on the assembly line and I remember him saying you would be surprised how many vehicles were wreaked or damaged pulling out of the plant to the storage lot then brought back in for repairs so that vehicle will be fixed and sold and the other owner will never know. If it were me I would probably take it if there was a nice discount and quick turn around on the repairs. Its up to you if your gut is saying walk away then do it

 

[the 18th letter]

I dont think any lugnuts were installed. How does a wheel come off with the hub in tact like that? Thankfully she wasnt cruising down a highway.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Find another truck, IMO.

 

[OR VietVet]

No way she "pulled out" and went "one block" without hearing something or losing wheel right away, if had no lug nuts on it. It would have never been pulled out and parked without incident. What does the wheel look like. The stud closest to the caliper looks like it has remnants of lug nut pieces on it or wheel aluminum shavings.

 

[Fless]

Were any lug nuts found at the scene of the crime?

 

[Doubeleive]

I guess if they really do fix it like new and give you a great deal go for it
I tend to inspect things basiclly by nature and also for a living so my advice if you decide to move forward with it, when you go to look at it again take a flashlight and have them put it up on a lift so you can inspect it yourself very closely if you see any scratches or marks under the body anyhwere then it is not "like new" and this gives you even more bargening power. also as already mentioned ask for the invoice of the repairs you should see minimum quarter panel, rotor, knuckle, lower valence, maybe a running board. the door could have been pinched when it was opened after the accident that is likely repairable. Inspect the drivers side upper pillar very close run your hand over it as any bending may not be visible to the eye, check all the alignments of the front end clip (both sides) and hood

 

[randeez]

2. I would request at minimum a discount of 10% of the original vehicle purchase price you were going to buy it for.

he already got a 25% discount on the wheels, how much more does he need!

 

[Tahoered]

if it is indeed perfect when you come back to decide if your going to buy it AND the price came down because well it has technically been damaged. id still buy it but obviously i wouldn't use them for servicing lol.
actually had this happen before but it wasn't something new but we did really like it. my experience was the shop did a full service and a few repair items. one of which apparently had something to do with the driver side axle nut. pulled the hub in half ripped the brake line off and beat up the lower a arm. came back and indeed everything had been replaced price drop and they threw in some extras.
either way its why im not keen when some people want to use a awd/4wd hub on a 2wd.

THIS!!!

 

[iamdub]

Test drove our first Tahoe and fell in love. Finally found the premier we were looking for. We drive to dealership to purchase. Right before my wife signed the paperwork, she took a quick ride to be sure. Pulled out and went one block. Took off from first stop sign, turned to the right and the entire front driver tire came off completely. Dealer said he could fix back like new with no worries. Would like to get opinions from those who know more than me. Should I move on from this. It is a 2023 with about 50 miles on it. Can it be repaired back to factory? Am I taking a risk? Appreciate all opinions.

Sounds like your wife had doubts, hence the second ride "to be sure". She had a gut feeling or heard her guardian spirit warning her and this was divine intervention. Yes, there are plenty of valid explanations already listed particularly to the failure. But, who stops just before signing to take one more test drive? This situation would be very different and more painful/messy if you legally owned the car and this happened. I say it's a bullet dodged by a difference of mere minutes.

 

[CorvairGeek]

I saw someone mentioned 2 vs 4 wheel drive, is this one 2 wheel drive? It looks like there is no front axle, but I think I see the splines.

 

[Doubeleive]

Sounds like your wife had doubts, hence the second ride "to be sure". She had a gut feeling or heard her guardian spirit warning her and this was divine intervention. Yes, there are plenty of valid explanations already listed particularly to the failure. But, who stops just before signing to take one more test drive? This situation would be very different and more painful/messy if you legally owned the car and this happened. I say it's a bullet dodged by a difference of mere minutes.

yep and if the manager there had any brains at all he would have sent someone out to check each and every vehicle on the lot instantly

 

[Eusibius2]

Move on, get another car at another dealer. No amount of discount is going to put you at ease. The door and quarter panel will never be "just right." It's a car... There's more of them, even the perfect ones. Build your spec at another dealer.

You're always going to question IF there's something else wrong. And if not, you'll still blame regular mechanical issues on this, even if not true. It's not worth the peace of mind.

There's no price tag on safety and sanity. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Micahendrix]

Thank you all very much for your thoughts. He told my wife the lug nuts on every wheel were loose. Said someone must have tried to steal the tires and rims the night before. Also, he said it would not show up on carfax. They use an outside repair source. Said because no police report was done. This is a very small town dealership. They said no major damage . Super nice people at dealership but I just don’t feel comfortable buying it.
Does this sound right?