Me vs. Dodge service dept.

1965Jeff

Last week the Jeep Liberty we bought 2 months ago from a dealership in KC, was experiencing what I thought was a torque converter issue- according codes that came up when I used my code reader. Dropped it off Thursday, checked back Fri. and they ordered parts torque converter solenoid pack, for repairs. Went yesterday to follow up on progress and was promised to have it back today (Thurs.) cost for repairs was in excess of $2600 , called today to see when I could P/U vehicle and was told that parts installed did not cure issue and that further work would be necessary. Soooo, what would be your response - am I responsible for cost of parts that were installed and did nothing to correct the problem not to mention labor. I really don't want to pay for them to dartboard diagnosing my car. Curious as to what some one else's reaction to a similar situation might be. To be continued...

orchidman

How old is the vehicle and how many miles on it when you purchased it.? What were the symptoms of the problem.? Just wondering............

jigbone

Depends. If it was still under warranty, I would think you'd be covered no matter what they have to do. If it's not covered, I would demand that they take the parts off that didn't need to be replaced. Either that or, if they've already trashed the originals, demand that they not charge you for them - especially if they made repairs and ordered parts without consulting you first. I refuse to pay for someone else's incompetence.

Good mechanics get a bad rap, sounds like you've got what I like to call "trial and error parts replacers". Dealerships are famous for hiring these idiots.

$2600 is a lot of money, and the issue still isn't solved. Personally I would go as high up the chain as I had to in order to get satisfaction. Maybe that's the service manager, maybe it's the owner of the dealership, maybe it's the CEO of Chrysler.

It might help (or not) to let the guy know that you'll be informing your gun-toting buddies on the Internet as to your experience :devil:

Fat Billy

If the Jeep is still under factory warranty you should not have a problem. If you bought it used the it will depend on the law in the area. I Ga all used vehicles are sold without any warranty " As Is ". If a customer buys a service contract then the service contract will pick up the repairs. Check the consumer laws in your area for the answer. Contact the dealer direct and see what they say. Do not talk to anyone but the head guy. Hope it works out in your favor. :up: Later,

SirGeorgeKillian

There is no way that I would pay for them to guess what the problem is. No matter what the warranty status was. Time to go to the top and work your way down, since your time and effort at the bottom didn't pan out. File a complaint with corporate, and don't be afraid to be loud and obnoxious.

Teach

1965Jeff wrote: »

was experiencing what I thought was a torque converter issue- according codes that came up when I used my code reader.

Did they change parts based on your diagnosis, or did they confirm the problem and agree that swapping the converter was the necessary fix? When I ran a shop and a customer TOLD me to change a part, there would be no discussion about payment- - - -"I did what you told me me to do- - - -now, do you want the real problem fixed?" If the dealer did the diagnosis, they should either reinstall your original parts at no charge, and/or eat the incorrect parts and labor. It might be a good idea to find a dealer or a private shop that actually knows what's going on.
Jerry

JerryBobCo

I have quit doing business with the local dodge dealership for similar reasons. The last time I took my truck in, they did about $1700 worth of repairs, mostly to the front end. I had beat it up, so I figured that was in line.

However, when they tried to charge me $75 for checking 3 batteries, that was it. For one thing, my truck only has two batteries. I pointed that out and they knocked of $25. The more I thought about it, though, the madder I got. Charging $25 to check a battery when you're doing a bunch of other repairs is obscene. That's the last penny they'll get from me.

I don't know if this is just a problem with this particular dealership, or something common to all of them.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

JLDickmon

:popcorn:

Dalefan88

I've been in the parts business for 12 years. One thing I've learned is stay away from dodges. I shouldn't say that cause between them ford and Hyundai I would go out of business


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1965Jeff

Sorry for lack of detail on vehicle- 2002 Jeep Liberty with 78k miles what I thought was a little- old- lady- only- driving -on -Sunday- vehicle. Hardly a scratch outside with perfect interior.

1965Jeff

No I didnt tell them what codes I had found, I wanted them to come up with their own diagnosis, they said basically what my reader confirmed - I only wanted to make sure we were on the same page as far as that goes. I wouldn't tell a guy who performs this work daily how to go about his job, but I also don't need them playing add-a- part until some thing clicks on me. This was the Jeep dealership after all and their equipment is much more advanced than my little reader.

Buford

There is no way I would pay for a mis diagnosis that's why you took it to the dealer in the first place. Now if you told them what to do that was a bad choice.

Buford

1965Jeff wrote: »

No I didnt tell them what codes I had found, I wanted them to come up with their own diagnosis,

Then I would tell them I'm not paying the dealership to throw parts at it.

Vic's Viewpoint

I'm constantly amazed at how often I hear reports of "brand name" car dealers who are willing to break laws, especially consumer protection laws, in order to pad their bottom line. Brazen thievery, that's all it is.

horselips

I don't currently own a Chrysler product although in the past I have owned and loved 4 beautiful New Yorkers, and I am not a mechanic or a technician. However, the "reader" used to diagnose a car's ills is limited in what it can detect, and it would not be out of line to suggest that other parts, besides those indicated in the reader's diagnosis might also be needed. Modern vehicles are impossibly complex. Anyway, misery loves company, I know how you feel. It has cost me at least a coupla grand and then some over the last coupla years keeping my daily driver - a rather nice 1978 Lincoln Town Coupe up to snuff.

1965Jeff

Update- I got the car back today, was charged $1800 for work done on Bailee's Jeep ,(#2 daughter) was pleasantly surprised that the dealership did not charge me for pulling the **** twice or for their comedy of errors on the parts. I think i will try them again if factory work is necessary on her ride. We have an independent mechanic that does 99% of our work when we have car problems so hopefully we won't need them soon.

KSU Firefighter

Glad to hear they took care of you, what was messed up?

1965Jeff

The torque converter would lock up in overdrive when the engine was started and kill it unless you were rolling or put it in N at a stoplight etc. Just wait buddy your kids are going to be driving soon too:yikes:

KSU Firefighter

1965Jeff wrote: »

The torque converter would lock up in overdrive when the engine was started and kill it unless you were rolling or put it in N at a stoplight etc. Just wait buddy your kids are going to be driving soon too:yikes:

Nice, real nice. Don't remind me, I keep looking for a good used car for Amanda, a cross between a Beetle and an Abrams!

1965Jeff

Make the first one big and CHEAP- a virtual disposable vehicle per se . Tami's sister's daughter on her 1st solo drive backed their new truck into a tree (It must have jumped in her path and she is blond.)

Six-Gun

I worked at a Dodge dealership. You don't want to know what a lot of those service writers are doign to you, whether you need it or not. It didn't help that I sold my mom a brand new Dodge Stratus that just barely broke 70K miles before it needed a new transmission. I still live with that guilt. Let's just say that Chrysler won't ever see a dime from me in my lifetime.

KSU Firefighter

1965Jeff wrote: »

Make the first one big and CHEAP- a virtual disposable vehicle per se . Tami's sister's daughter on her 1st solo drive backed their new truck into a tree (It must have jumped in her path and she is blond.)

I am rather fond of the whole used police cruiser idea. A nice ragged out Crown Vic. No horsepower to get in trouble with, leave the cage in and I can weld the back doors shut. Blonde always seems to jump into the equation doesn't it?

fufu

Dodge/Chrysler = Great styling, poor craftsmanship, poor reliability.

I am/was a GM fan. But, everything they made after about 1998 has been junk IMO. Their newer offerings appear to be an improvement, time will tell tho.

5280 shooter II

Jeff, I'm a Jeeper....'99 Wrangler and '95 Grand Cherokee......check the NAPA website for parts costs, add $80 an hour for labor. What used to be a $500 job for auto-trans in the 80's, is now a $1000 job. Torque converters are sub $500 and not hard to put in yourself. I grew up on a '77 K5 Chevy Blazer with a 350 ci engine and a TH-400 auto-trans.....bought the truck as a learning tool, and it served well.

Newer cars these days need the code translator....you have one.

MY response, on a 2 month old vehicle would be......go eff yourself on the charges.....warranty covers it.....and if you don't like it.....I'll give it back to you and go across the street and roll out in a KIA. They will have to sell the Liberty as "used", and take the 5 grand hit.

Even through all the corporate realignments with Daimler-Chrysler.......the under-lying customer base of the Jeep brand is ALWAYS the guy with the Wrangler....plenty of soccer moms with the Grands......plenty of yuppie chicks with the more female friendly urban-wheelers.....but the Wrangler outsells them all. Girls buy a Jeep to look cool.....guys buy a Jeep to go places with a car instead of walking.

JEEP means......Just Empty Every Pocket......that's for mods, but true Jeepers love the rough simplicity so that they can work on it in their garages. It's not the most comfortable or conveniant vehicle.....it's a passion thing......but tell me that women don't take a second look at a guy driving a Jeep....I've seen it just like I've seen them do it while driving my friends Corvette.

SirGeorgeKillian

I was once flagged down by a guy in a suit driving a little prius just so he could give me the thumbs up while I was driving my Jeep. I miss that old girl.