Should dealer be charging me for a diagnostic fee on my car?

Question

I took my KIA Optima for service because it has an intermittent electrical problem that causes the air conditioner, radio, and cruise control to turn off for 1 second. This also causes my engine to stall or lose power momentarily. Also causing my car to jerk when the engine restarts. The dealer inspected the car and took it for a short drive on the freeway. They could not recreate the problem. My car still has the manufacture's warranty. The service technician tells me since they couldn't find a warranty related problem I should pay for the diagnostic fee. What should I do? Any ideas?

Answer 1

no you should not have had to pay for it,,everything is supposed to be covered ,,i would talk to the manager about it,i don't think your liable to pay it,,good luck with it.

Answer 2

I can understand the dealers point as some people make up stories that can never be verified even after driving it like they do for 100 miles plus... but usually manufacturers give dealers some time to try to verify concerns. Intermittant problems are the worst as it takes some real diagnostic time to do espcially a KIA. Don't call the dealer, call KIA and ask them a WTF? Ask them their choice is from fixing this car under warranty or a lemon lawsuit after I pay the diag three times....



Or pay the diag fee , let the car stall, get it brought by a wrecker to that dealer and force the issue with the dealer saying you want your money back for not diagnosing it good enough



I say take it to another dealer and let them inspect it telling them exactly when it does it, how it does it, what everything does etc. and ask them to figure it out and fix it.... but find out if they charge if they can't find an intermittant...

Answer 3

I've never heard of such a thing. I have a Dodge with a mystery computer problem that the dealership can't figure out. We've had it in the shop a few times in the last year, and haven't put out a penny.

I'm sure that's legal, and they're within thier rights to do that and all, but that's no way to do business. Contact the manufacturer directly, and see what they have to say about it.

Answer 4

I wouldn't pay for it since the vehicle is under warranty. This should be covered and my boyfriend who used to be a service manager says the mechanic is trying to get you to pay since he can charge more than the labor ops in the book will pay for warranty on this.

Answer 5

Ask for your money back - the technician obviously didn't take the time to properly diagnose the vehicle and should not charge you a nickel.



Have you checked the battery grounds? Ensured that all the connectors are on nice and tight? Electrical problems are a *****, but they have surprisingly simple solutions

Answer 6

I definitely wouldn't pay that. He's basically calling you a liar and saying that the car isn't doing what you say it is. Take it to his boss, and go on up the chain if you have to

Answer 7

course not thats a rip