Is it too late for dealership horror stories? Here is one, from the 5 star dealership Carl Burger Dodge World in La Mesa, Ca.
On Saturday (11/03/07) morning I start my truck and the check engine light came on, but the truck ran with no noticeable difference. So I called the dealer but the service department is closed on the weekends, but you can book a service appointment online. Since I work during the week I can only drop it off after hours so I book an appointment for Tuesday (11/6/07) morning, leaving me time to call and talk to someone, on Monday, before I drop off my truck. I called and explained that the CEL light came on and I have a small list of other concerns I would like to have looked at while the truck is at the dealership. My list of concerns:
1) CEL Light
2) One of the battery cables is loose on the battery post (to the point you could pull it off by hand), but the clamp is tightened to the point where the ends are touching each other.
3) The radio has a random buzzing noise from the speakers; I have to turn the bass all the way down and the treble all the way up or it will sound muffled.
4) The interior trim on the passenger’s side B pillar is loose, I have snapped it back into place but within a few days it comes loose again.
5) A rust spot forming on the front bumper.
6) Driver’s side front window occasionally makes a grinding noise when going up/down.
When I left work Monday to take the truck to the dealership the CEL light turned off. I thought no big deal, it probably stored the code and I already have the appointment so I continued to the dealership.
I received a call Tuesday (11/6/07) at about 3:00 pm from the service advisor saying they were testing the evaporative emissions and they would need the truck another day. No sweat.
Another call the next day (Wednesday 11/7/07) said that the truck was done and ready to pick up, here is how they “fixed” my truck:
1) The CEL light went off by itself, and the dealer could not find anything wrong.
2) They tightened the clamp.
3) The radio buzzing was blamed on my cell phone, and the muffled sound is, evidentially, just the way the Infinity speakers sound.
4) They snapped the trim back into place.
5) The rust spot they are blaming on road damage, my fault.
6) They put some silicone on the hinges.
When I picked up my truck I talked to the advisor about the rust and I though if a rock hit hard enough to go through the chrome, nickel and copper to expose the bare metal causing the rust it surely would have left a depression in the metal. My belief is that during the chroming process some debris was on the bumper and got “chromed over” and through the daily use has been brushed off, exposing the bare metal. Within a few inches of the rust spot you can feel rough spots on the chrome. Maybe more debris trapped under the chrome? Anyway, he said he would have to call Chrysler. So I took my truck and went home.
This morning I get into my truck and guess what trim piece is loose again?! I pop the hood and look at the battery cable and I can still pull it off with my hand! WTF!

 

Dude that SUCKS !!! [:@]

I am truely amazed at the patience of America. Had that been me, the cops would have been called for sure. It should be illegal toscrew people over like that ESPECIALLY after spending probably 40K on a product that you swore you'd stand behind.

It sucks that he is the guy who get's to hear all of this $hit, but send a PM to Parts/Service and let him know what happened.

 

Dude, it never ceases to amaze me that dealers do not want to make customers happy. Granted, I have my fair share of customers that leave and are not happy. But I go all out to try and make them happy or at least understand my position on their issue. My advice to you is to go to another dealer and share your concerns with them. At the dealer that you first went to, I would ask a question.
Why were they testing the evap system if there was nothing wrong?

My take on your 6 issues.

1) Were there no "stored" codes in the the system?
2) Why not just replace the cable if it will not tighten properly? If this is a defective part, the repair should be covered under warranty.
3) There are 2 TSBs on a buzz from the speakers. 1 TSB mentions the buzz coming from the front door speakers only and and the other mentions that cell phones are responsible for the buzz. Did the dealer perform both TSBs or just read the TSBs and assume that the cell phone was the problem. I bet the later. And Infinity systems are not just expected to sound muffled.
4) Did they take off the trim and inspect it for broken retainers/poor alignment? Did they make sure that the door seal is properly aligned and not pushing this piece off..
5) Just replace the bumper. If there is not a dent or visible abuse,I would expect a new bumper..I have inspected many paint/chrome issues and it is not always easy to tell what caused the blemish.He does not have to call to get permission to replace the bumper.
6) Not sure what a window hingeis. LOL... I have seen windows get stuck or get slow operating and be fixed by some silicone.. But a grinding noise is different. Take the door panel off and watch/listen to the regulator operate. If it appears faulty, replace it.
Damn, I can't believe that you have to come on here and rant over issues that seem so easy to fix...Go to a second dealer and explain to them your issues and explain to them that you are looking for a new dealer to take care of your service work. Go to the service manager and tell him what you have been through with the other dealer.
I know that other managers probally won't like me, but I already have enough friends. Let me know if I can help....

 

Not to hijack the thread, but I dont know off the top of my head, what is the paint/chrome warranty? and does it cover a lousy factory paintjob? like "fish eye" in the paint and funny coloration of chrome pieces?

 

I have never read about an evap system on a diesel????? Isn't that a gasser term?

 

Well I called the dealer back to express my concerns, and they finally agreed to replace the trim and battery cable. I also spoke to the guy in the body shop who concluded that the rust was caused by road damage. I explained that if you rub your hand across the top of the chrome part, near the top of the license plate, you could feel a rough surface. Also where the rust is not on the front of the bumper, rather after the curve into the radiator, so I don’t see how a rock could cause that type of damage. He finally agreed to look at it again and take some pictures for Chrysler’s review.
I asked the service adviser for a loaner car while they had my truck again. He asked me if I had purchased a loaner car agreement (?), I asked if that was included in the $45000 purchase price. He said no and again said I was on my own. I asked if one could be provided as a gesture of good will because I have to bring in the truck again for what should have been fixed the first time. He again replied that there was nothing he could do. I was a little frustrated at the time so I explained how, with my previous Chevy truck, I had to hire a lawyer and sue GM because my Chevy truck was at the Chevy dealer 4 times for the same power steering problem. That made my fuse is a little short for this type of treatment. Suddenly he said come see him and he’d hook me up. UNBEILIEVABLE! Here are some photos of the trim and the battery cable they tried to tighten.

 

Parts/Service, thanks for looking out but I hope I have it covered. I feel kind of "high maintenance" but damn, it's not like I bought an escort! The "hinges" I think they are referring to are the sliders.