Yet another dealer rant...(long)

dlw · 08-13-02, 09:37

In January 2001, my wifes '98 Dodge Caravan lost it's transmission. First off, the local Dodge dealer did not want to honor the warranty because the vehicle was 3 weeks outside of the normal time warranty. They informed us of this after they mis-diagnosed the problem as a locked-up engine, which they tried to blame on "improper maintenance" because they said the oil was dirty. After I produced the bills for oil changes well withing their guidelines, they agreed to replace the engine. A week later they called to say "oops", it was the trans, not the engine. While the car was in their fenced in lot waiting for a new trans, several of the cars in their lot were broken into, including my wifes and her window was broken out and her battery stolen. They tried to make us turn this over to our insurance, but finally repaired the window and replaced her battery. Last night, the MOPAR 60 month battery died (at 18 months). Today, they informed me that there was no warranty on the battery because it was "replaced under warranty". Didn't matter that they replaced it because ours was stolen. Dealers are scum. I even worked for 2 different dealers selling cars for a short time, and they deserve every single bad word they get. Period. Thanks for listening, just had to get it out of my system a bit.

medic · 08-13-02, 09:56

call the regional supervisor on them, call dodge corporate to get the number. the higher up you go, the faster you get results. also, talk to the manager of the dealership (not the service manager, the real boss), they are usually more willing to get things done.

blkZ28Conv · 08-13-02, 10:07

At least you know what brand and from what dealership chain not to purchase your wife's car from next time.
Chrysler and Dodge are known for transmission failures shortly after warranty expiration. My father had similiar problems with his Chryslers in the 80's and early 90's.

BradE · 08-13-02, 01:39

Dodge customer service must really suck, my cousin had tons of problems with his Ram. There was some type of recall and when he took the truck in the dealer claimed they need to fab up some brackets and tried to charge him almost $480 for it. He refused to pay citing the recall. The dealership refused to work on the truck! His Ram (Automatic) when through 2 trannys under warranty which they also gave him the run around about replacing.

At least now I know he was not the only one having trouble, geezzz stay away from Dodge dealers. LOL.

AlBoston · 08-13-02, 02:13

lol i now work @ a dodge dealer and sell the cars, and i know the service stinks. We have an intrepid and the transmission has been rebuilt 3 times (under warranty) and it still has the same slipping condition. And it was hell making them work on the car, weeks of arguing on the phone and in person. I actually got the district manager fired, LOL! Never again.

Taxlady · 08-13-02, 02:22

but the newer Intrepids are soooo pretty. They look fast when they are standing still. They look almost exactly like the "car of the future" that they showed in the 60s. I've waited a long time to see a real one of those "cars of the future".

caddyman · 08-13-02, 02:23

Thats scary!

AlBoston · 08-13-02, 02:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Taxlady
but the newer Intrepids are soooo pretty. They look fast when they are standing still. They look almost exactly like the "car of the future" that they showed in the 60s. I've waited a long time to see a real one of those "cars of the future".

the steeply raked windshield makes for terrible visibility and the windshield is distorted in the center (visible from rear seat). Also the dashboard is so long that it often causes glare, yuck i hate the setup. The only time they drive nice is during the test drive and the first few weeks u own it. The feel of the car starts going downhill almost immediately imo.

BradE · 08-13-02, 02:51

Quote:

lol i now work @ a dodge dealer and sell the cars, and i know the service stinks. We have an intrepid and the transmission has been rebuilt 3 times (under warranty) and it still has the same slipping condition. And it was hell making them work on the car, weeks of arguing on the phone and in person. I actually got the district manager fired, LOL! Never again.

Pretty said when they almost refuse to service their own cars. I didn't know the problem was this widespread, live and learn. Very poor customer care if you ask me, and they wonder why GM and Ford kill's them in American marketshare.

To Ali's credit, at least he is being honest!

Len_A · 08-13-02, 04:15

Quote:

Originally posted by ShowroomLincoln

Pretty said when they almost refuse to service their own cars. I didn't know the problem was this widespread, live and learn. Very poor customer care if you ask me, and they wonder why GM and Ford kill's them in American marketshare. To Ali's credit, at least he is being honest!

Well, I'm up here in Detroit, and one of my relatives just retired as a Chrysler engineer, ................................................................................ ..............and boy, do they make junk. That's what you get when you outsource 90% of the parts.

To Dieter Zetche's credit, they're starting to make some progress, but they still suck. And you know what's up when it's well published that the next generation large cars from Chrysler (replacements for the Intrepid, Concorde, etc) will start sharing transmissions and electrical systems with Mercedes.

samiam513 · 08-13-02, 07:49

My uncle is a service manager for a dodge deealer. Guess what kinds of cars he drives? Toyotas, ford.

blkZ28Conv · 08-14-02, 07:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Taxlady
but the newer Intrepids are soooo pretty. They look fast when they are standing still. They look almost exactly like the "car of the future" that they showed in the 60s. I've waited a long time to see a real one of those "cars of the future".

Unfortunately the beauty is only skin deep. Poor quality and no go. I hope this is not the future.
With that said. GO Chip Ganassi, Sterling Marlin and the #40 Silver Bullit Racing Team.