I think getting my Dodge fixed (or any car) fixed at a dealer is the most expensive option. I would only go to the Dodge Dealer as a last resort when I know other shops can't fix my Dodge. Like my last visit at a Dodge dealer - they replaced my inside exhaust manifold and O2 sensor for $1092 -- expensive ! (My old O2 sensor was stuck.)

Post anything about how expensive your repair was and what was fixed. Or maybe the Dodge dealer quote and an outside shop quote / repair cost.

One thing I know is that Dodge dealers charge over $1000 to fix your A / C. This actually makes me want to know some A/C repair myself to save money. Like on my 95 3.8L GC the A/C went bad and they told me the gaskets leaked. I should have just replaced the gaskets myself but I don't know about the compressor (how do you tell if one is bad). The A/C on the 95 was super cold compared to the one on my 99 3.3L GC Sport.

Also, Dodge Dealer charge more for parts. When I got my EGR Solenoid Assembly from Sunnyside Auto (a Chicago OEM Dodge parts reseller, not Dodge Dealer) the cost was $58. Olympic Dodge quoted me $70.

 

Parts can be more expensive from the dealer. No doubt about it. (no matter what mfgr).
But OE parts come with a warranty....So does NAPA's parts, but OE warranty will pay parts and labor.
NAPA, PepBoys, etc. don't pay labor.

Dealerships charge a higher hourly rate. There is extensive and expensive training required by the mfgr for the techs, and VERY high priced service equipment that the dealer is required to buy. (all repair facilities need equipment, but it seems factories really stick it to dealers on equipment). We have a $1,700 engine cradle that ONLY works for Pacifica vehicles.



If you had to replace a compressor out of warranty, it could get that high. $1,000 seems steep, but not totally out of line.
We get $50 to 'service' your AC.
Reclaim R134A
Recharge R134A
Check for leaks
If leaks are found, we bill regular labor rate for any repairs.
How to tell if your compressor is shot...if it squeals its junk. If it smokes, you need a new clutch.
Never put on a new compressor with the old clutch.

 

Well, I still would go to a Dodge Dealer for specialized repairs because of their specialized training, but only for special repairs. General common repairs -- I found an auto shop whose labor rate is $40 / hr. Like they did my inside 3 plugs and gave me an oil change for $50 total (I provided the spark plugs, oil, and filter).

Thanks for the A/C info.

 

I'm a tech at a dealership in florida. Our billing rate is $89 per hour. A/C cost a ton of money no matter where you go. Some parts of the A/C require special training and lots of skill to perform, such as the evaporator core which requires the person doing it to remove the entire dashboard and A/C housing just to get at a box that is 12" tall and 12" wide. trust me we have seen the home mechanic try to do it. He then had to have it towed to the dealership and we had to fix what he broke and finish the job. It ended up costing him $1800.00 for a 1200.00 job. he is right about the money spent on schooling and special tools required to properly service the vehicles. Most mechanics at dealerships cannot believe how much it costs to do a tune up on cars now adays. we can't control the prices, but most mechanic are sympathetic twards the customers.

 

Ya, I never thought about the evap., that can take a lot of hours.

 

In the end though it is just find the bad part put in new part
stealerships are like most other shops time is money and money well it's all about the money.
and an engine is just that an engine
if your caravan has an issue that a regular non dealer shop can't fix then you got the wrong shop.
All the tools are there for these shops training is there manuals in the form of dvd are there. now a dealer ship may diagnose a problem a little quicker but in the end it just changing parts over.
It's a caravan not a porche or landrover.
the most complex thing on the caravan is probably the abs controler and if the diagnose came down to it they would just replace it same as the stealership would.
only advances to cars has been air bags abs and more electronic control moduals and if a problem is linked back to those they just wrench them out and stuff in new oem rebuilt or aftermarket and even wrecker parts.
I always try to use oem parts always and I insist that I get shop rate on my parts. Ask for shop rate or trade price they shouldn't have much of an issue if they see you there once a month they don't mind and if they have issues tell them you get them shop rate prices at the other dodge dealer. they will sell to ya then.
I paid $6.50CAD a plug for oem plugs for my 01 3.8 cheapest the part store shelf had was $11.10 each.

the dealership should only be used when a software upgrade is required for the computer and when putting a new computer in as it must inclued vin programing oh and to set up chassis control modual and enable features with a programing computer.

And be advise some stealerships don't even use oem parts but they will bill you for oem.
be leary of a dealership with a nap/ uap out side

 

The dodge dealer is usually the best, if not only place for TCM reflashes... not many trans shops will pay chrysler for the "subscription" required for flashing TCMs with the updated codes.

The dealer is also one of the faster places to get the repairs done I have noticed. I generally do my own work, but due to tool limitations or stuff where I would be getting in over my head (think my custom A604 build there) I will need & use a shop when it is a good idea.

The trans took 3 months at a trans specialist shop (not a chain nor dealer) but it was alot of custom work and 2.8 months of that was waiting for a custom part that went MIA.

My custom rear air lift kit took maybe a week, could have been done in a day if I had brought it to a place that had the room, and techs to immediately jump on it, finish it and get it back to me.

 

We sell lots of NAPA parts.
In fact we have a direct computer connection to the NAPA stores inventory and parts catolog. But we charge NAPA prices for NAPA parts.
In fact, we have found times when OEM is cheaper than NAPA.
Of course we only use OEM for warranty repairs.

 

I love my local dealership! Of course, the parts manager is a member of the same board of directors for a youth soccer club as me They've loaned me their shop manual, helped me troubleshoot, even come out to the van to look at somethiing and give me advice. Yes, parts are higher there, but on some parts, there's just nowhere else to get them, or it's better safety-wise. For instance, I bought brake pads at Crow-Burlingame for 42.50. Had a mechanic friend replace them, labor cost, 20. (This mechanic is a brake specialist, also does exhaust work and general maintenence) The next day, I was out of town on the freeway, when the vehicle ahead of me stopped, and had no brake lights. I tried to stop, but had no grip! Thankfully, the lane next to us was clear, and I steered away just in time. It took me about 1/2 mile to come to a complete stop. I had the van towed back home, to the dealership. Wrong pads!!!!!!!!! My buddy at the dealership called the parts place I got the pads from, and asked them to look up what pads I needed, they read off what their computer said, he double checked my ticket, and that's what I bought. They were different than the ones the dealership sold me. Yes, the parts were 15 dollars higher, labor was four times as much, but the ticket and insurance would have cost me much more, not to mention the possible injury to me, my husband, and our 2 year old, not to mention anyoone I might have hit. When it comes to vehicle safety, I'll pay the extra to use the dealership. And yes, I did chew out my mechanic friend for not noticing the difference in the pads. I did get my money back from the mechanic and the parts store.

 

Hey guys, you all seem to know a lot about dodge repairs. Is there a place to order OEM parts from or at least an OEM price list somewhere? My brother recently drove his ram through a house and we're trying to price it out. We need things like fenders, hood, headlights, etc etc. Any ideas? Thanks!