Dealership fixing a recall broke a bunch of stuff saying I have to pay for it?

Question

So my 07 Dodge caliber failed inspection due to a rusted sub frame. Luckily it had an extended warranty just for that. I brought it into the dealership and they said they d replace the entire thing for free. However during that job the mechanic broke a bunch of nuts and bolts, both front control arms and sway bar links. They told me I have to pay for that and it s $900. Wth??
When I complained he said the warranty doesn t cover rust on those parts.... But, the subframe was rusty and that s why it received an extended warranty. My question is, if he broke a bunch of stuff replacing the subframe under warranty then how exactly am I responsible for that??

Answer 1

Your mechanic is a hack.



Do NOT pay for anything.

Do NOT pick up the car.

Do NOT sign anything new.



Temporarily rent a car.

Contact Chrysler Corporation.



Stop talking to the dealership.

Let the car sit.



Call corporate every day.

Tell them you are renting a car and they can pay the bill.

If they take more than a week, get a lawyer and sue them.



Write down everybody's name and when you talked to them. Start with the mechanic, the service department guy, the dealership manager, etc.



Make sure all replaced parts are saved.



Repairing their own recall is their total responsibility.



Call both these numbers:



800-247-9753

800-992-1997

Answer 2

There is no freaking way for anyone to break control arms and sway bar links even if they're trying. those things were rusted to hell and unsalvageable. anybody touching them would have made them crumble at the weak spots. you're lucky it happened in there and not while you were driving around. the subframe was rusted so bad it had to be replaced, its not the only thing under there in that condition. the shops fault in this is not pointing that out to you before they did the warranty repairs. ITs expensive because they're going to use dealer parts. you can get the parts a lot cheaper elsewhere or ask them for a courtesy discount... that's usually 10%. Uninstalling and installing the same broken parts is part of the subframe repair so you shouldn't have to pay for labor on that since they have to do it anyways to replace the subframe. I think that 900 quote includes labor which is wrong. be nice and try to correct them on that.

Answer 3

The control arms were probably fine but the bolts that go through the bushings were rusted into the steel sleeve inside the bushings so they cut the bolts and are too lazy or ill equipped to press the much cheaper new bushings in.

You may be able to have new bushings installed at a real auto shop or provide your own arms from ebay for 1/3 the price. The end links will be 1/3 their price on ebay or Rock auto as well.

Answer 4

They should have notified you of other issues prior doing the work.

This sounds like they have not used appropriate skill in caring out their work.

Breaking control arms is not appropriate nor sway bar links.

You can buy a lot of nuts and bolts for $900.

Request the broken parts. No parts no money.

They have to show you all parts replaced to prove they needed doing.

Take the parts with you.

Answer 5

The subframe recall/warranty only applies to that specific part...any corrosion of other items like control arms or bolts , etc.. would not be covered and you would have to pay to replace those if they are part of the process of replacing the subframe. The main subframe is what holds the engine/trans and also suspension parts like control arms. Those other items can still corrode from road salt, or salty conditions near coastal areas, etc.. which are not covered by the extended warranty so you would need to have them fixed in any event for yearly safety inspections.



The only issue I would take up is whether the dealer called you prior to repairs and told you what may be required for you to pay for out of pocket. In most states, a shop or dealer must have your written or documented verbal approval before any repairs are done that you have to pay for out of pocket...if they don't get that written documentation of when they called or spoke to you...time ,date, price of repairs, signature or initials of service advisor, etc.., then you are not legally liable to pay for them.



It's a tricky situation when it comes to rust issues as a tech may not know what items may break or snap off during the repair process but they should have told you ahead of time what items may also be bad and expected or possible costs to fix them before going ahead with repairs that were covered under warranty.



Find out what the laws are in your state as to what is needed for documentation of repair estimates...if the dealer did not follow the laws, then you may not have to pay for them or can arbitrate a partial settlement to just pay for the parts but not labor, etc..

Answer 6

Usually the extended warranties are not worth the paper they are written on. Be happy that you got anything out of it.

Answer 7

Time for a visit to the small claims court.

Answer 8

Right now you nee a copy of that warranty. Read it word for word and see if they are telling you the truth.

Answer 9

Give them the finger.