Dealership Incompetency

[Beltzington]

Has anyone filed and won a small claims suit against a dealership?

My son vehicle started randomly dying and leaving him stranded, I did some research and decided I did not have the diagnostic tools to resolve the problem and told him to take it to a dealership as they were best equipped to solve intermittent electronic issues.

My bad, here is a brief synopsis of OEM support:
$600 dollars will fix it
Sorry another $500 will work
We are so sorry, we are sure another $600 will fix it
I can't believe it is still not working; maybe you should buy another vehicle

Really, the company that built this vehicle doesn't have the skill set to fix it. I want this dealership to pay for their incompetency and arrogance, hoping someone has some advice.

LOL, they have been really nice the whole time.

 

[bunyip]

Ford had an action taken against them here with the terrible DCT issues that they denied.
Dealers were claiming it is the way you drive, I never take my vehicles to the dealer unless it is a warranty issue as most are not capable of a repair only a replacement.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I had a terrible time with a Ford Dealership when my truck was rear ended two years ago. Through some friends I was able to talk to Ford Corporate people in Michigan. Guess what, EVERY Ford Dealership is a franchise... Ford has ZERO control over what they do.

 

[Stimw]

So, what is the vehicle?????

 

[Sigarms]

I want to know how old the son is

 

[jaxs]

Guaranteed this isn't their first experience and they know the judge will rule in their favor because you authorized each additional repair.

 

[TractorGuy]

Authorizing a repair doesn't matter if they charge and don't repair it. Owner will have to show proof it is doing the same thing it was taken in for every time but recovering cost should be doable.

 

[Beltzington]

Guaranteed this isn't their first experience and they know the judge will rule in their favor because you authorized each additional repair.

You are likely correct but I was hopeful at some point "a reasonable person" argument has won the day. It is a Nissan Pathfinder and I understand electronic issues can be difficult to diagnose but at what point should they admit they are clueless and tell the customer they can't fix the problem. I'm really concerned with the service guy suggesting after spending $1600 that maybe another vehicle would be a better option. I guess at the end-of-the-day you can either fix it yourself or put up with the BS.

 

[Redlands Okie]

................but at what point should they admit they are clueless and tell the customer they can't fix the problem. I'm really concerned with the service guy suggesting after spending $1600 that maybe another vehicle would be a better option.............

Seems the answer to the question of when to admit clueless issue is after you cash all the checks that you think you can collect. Nothing like another vehicle to start the process over on.

 

[jaxs]

On the flip side,if the service order state's the symptom and what repair they proposed would fix it,,,and,,,you haven't paid,you might prevail. You might force them to give your car back without being paid. Like you,I wish"reasonable person"was taken into consideration but we know that's not what lawyers and judges do. If you have the time,small claims is not expensive and might be worth a try. The garage owner, mechanic and possibly others would have to be in court missing work. This kind of thing is far more common with auto and home repair than it should be.

 

[Omega Woods]

Call a local lawyer and use your free consultation to get their opinion as to whether you have a case or not. I don't like your chances given your description. As jaxs said, small claims isn't expensive and will get the dealership's attention at a minimum.

 

[thepumpguysc]

If your dealing w/ a "service MANAGER".. go over his head.. HE has a boss..
99% of the time the OWNER will resolve the problem, even so far as getting you another vehicle..
BUT, you have to SET -UP an appointment.. Service mngr, you, the bills & possibly the mechanic.
I know of several people that went that route.. & came out smellin like a rose..
The OWNER has no idea about YOUR problem.. but if its brought to his attention he'll know..
The service mngr is an expendable commodity.. a dime a dozen & they know that..
I'd be willing to bet if you threatened him with, "I wanna speak w/ the owner of this francize".. or "I'd like to set up an appt. w/ the owner"..
you'd get some results..

 

[wjmst]

If you paid by credit card, maybe they can assist or at least hold their payment until you get the problem resolved.

 

[plowhog]

If your dealing w/ a "service MANAGER".. go over his head.. HE has a boss..
99% of the time the OWNER will resolve the problem,

My next door neighbor owns a car dealership. I hear many stories of how customers who complain reach his desk, and how he does everything he can to ensure the customer is satisfied.

 

[Ritothebull]

My wife's car had intermittent computer issues and the dealer could not figure out how to repair it, they just wanted to install a new transmission for $6,000.00 on a car with 50,000 miles and a perfectly good transmission. My daughter had a Dodge with any warranty issues and every time she brought it into the dealer they would screw something else up.

 

[TractorGuy]

If your dealing w/ a "service MANAGER".. go over his head.. HE has a boss..
99% of the time the OWNER will resolve the problem, even so far as getting you another vehicle..
BUT, you have to SET -UP an appointment.. Service mngr, you, the bills & possibly the mechanic.
I know of several people that went that route.. & came out smellin like a rose..
The OWNER has no idea about YOUR problem.. but if its brought to his attention he'll know..
The service mngr is an expendable commodity.. a dime a dozen & they know that..
I'd be willing to bet if you threatened him with, "I wanna speak w/ the owner of this francize".. or "I'd like to set up an appt. w/ the owner"..
you'd get some results..

My next door neighbor owns a car dealership. I hear many stories of how customers who complain reach his desk, and how he does everything he can to ensure the customer is satisfied.

These are your best suggestions. I imagine if you talk to the service manager and follow up with the owner you will get better results.

 

[JPRambo]

My son had a Saturn and it came up with an electrical/electronic problem. The in-laws are all mechanics and they tried to find what the problem was. Checked the 2 on-board computers and nothing. He took it to chevy dealer service department. they had it for 2 weeks. nothing repaired. district service manager was notified and he asked if they checked the third on-board computer. None of the local mechanics knew of such a computer. It was the problem and it was replaced. All the repair bills were nullified except the last one and the car worked great after.

 

[Beltzington]

Appreciate everyone's thoughts, misery shared is easier to bear.

My son fortunately is less of a hot-head than his dad and is waiting to hear their final recommendations. Hopefully they will do the right thing but if not we will likely involve the owner before we look for a legal solution. Him living 200 miles away and being extremely busy at work increases the stress level.

 

[Howling]

Electronic diagnostic tools are great at times. But are not the magic cure for all problems. These tools tend to remove the critical thought from the mechanic during the troubleshooting.

Maybe time to find the school mechanic, missing teeth, greasy hand, grey hair, happy with new fangled flip phone.

Decade ago bought a cheap used car for kids. Odd electrical issues. Honda dealer had stated need new full electrical harness. I looked in wheel well with missing liner. Rock damage to wire harness. Repaired a few wires, added protection. Kids drove car until rust got it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Any Lemon Law remedies available?