For reference, please see my post https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ad.php?t=18568

My car has been at the dealer for over a month now for a faulty seatbelt alarm. They told me that they replaced the instrument panel, some ABS module, and now they tell me that none of those things were the problem and that they are now awaiting a switch that was supposed to come in today, but of course, didn't. I called Chrysler customer service and explained to them the entire scenario. They were completely surprised when I told them that the dealer had blamed the mis-diagnosis on the technical service recommendation they received from Chrysler. The cust. serv. rep. said they had no records of any of this! She put me on hold for a while, while she contacted the dealership. She told me that she was just as baffled as I was and that the dealership had not given her any of the answers she was looking for and were not being cooperative. She said that she was going to get a third party involved and for me to call back in a couple of days. I explained that I was worried about the dealer covering up something that they had done to the vehicle. She said that's why she is getting a third party involved. This has been the worst dealer, service experience I've ever had. Not even sure what to do. I'm not even sure I'll be confident that something didn't happen to the vehicle such as them rolling back the odometer after some joy riding (they said they had to replace the instrument cluster). I may go to the dealership tomorrow and demand to see my vehicle. Comments and suggestions appreciated!

 

I would definitely go and see the vehicle. Take pics if anything is wrong.

I would venture to guess that they probably damaged or broke a small part that takes forever to get, and the service dept. is telling you otherwise (or ignoring you all together). Seeing the car would help make sure there isn't anything MAJOR wrong with it.

Sadly, dealerships like this one ruin it for these cars...it really turns off their owners. These type of dealerships are more typical than the 'good' ones also (for all types of cars, not just the Crossfire).

Just remember why you bought the car in the first place and try to put the dealership hassle behind you. And, obviously, take it somewhere else next time.

I am going to take my car in before long with my hard-start issue. When I do, I'll have them attempt to diagnose it first. If they can, I will ask to take the car home and wait on parts. Unfortunately, you car was probably torn apart so driving it home may not have been an option (due to their mis-diagnosis).

Good luck - and I hate to see you bail out on us over a dealership hassle.

SQ

 

First off, remember that it isn't the car's fault. I'm sure it misses you as much as you miss it (Sorry, just saw Transformers for the first time). Second, it sounds like Chrysler is on your side. I'd be willing to bet that this isn't the first customer issue of this nature that stealership has had. Chrysler stands behind there cars and there customers. I have seen Chrysler Corp. put their Boot up a dealers behind on more than one occasion. Obviously take the car somewhere else next time. Here's another goodie for you. Chrysler has deep pockets when it comes to customer satisfaction. I've seen DCX provide a disgruntled customer a free Max Care Extended Warranty or Mopar Accessories an three occasions while working for a dealer, and the issues that those people had wasn't as bad as yours. So, the next time you speak to Chrylser Demand some compensation! Find out who the Dealership's Regional Service representative is and call him. If you ask, they will give you his information or have him call you. I would work it out with him and if all else fails, find a lawyer...

 

Thanks for the comments. I spoke with customer service again after the service tech. called me to inform me yet again that the new part had been canceled and had to be re-ordered. The dealer blamed everything on Chrysler, saying that it was Chrysler who was screwing up. Customer service said that they were working to ensure the parts were delivered on time. That's all they can do. They told me to call them back if the parts don't arive today. A month and a half for a faulty seatbelt switch. Totally unacceptable! Don't think I'll be going to that dealer again. Too bad, they have a really nice facility.

 

Is it possible to pick up your car or have it towed to another chrysler dealer? And remember, I guess we're entitled to a free rental vehicle as long as we're under 36K miles.

 

I could have it towed, but it would take even longer probably. They said I could only have a rental after the first 24 hours and only for 5 days. I told them to forget it. The dude was an ****!

 

I hate to break it to you but you are getting played - Have you seen some of the punks they keep for odd stuff at even the best dealerships? You know they are missing some DNA.
Without going into details, once MB screwed up one of my cars and I caught it and once John Deere screwed up my tractor.
Both punk stuff.
What's it been, a month? You are being more than patient, it's time to really raise hell. Make a lot of noise. Be the loudest one.
Then, and this is the worst part, sometimes we all just get screwed, there is no recourse, just move on - anger is only suicide.

 

I've been on the phone with Chrysler customer service daily. The car is supposed to be completed today. If I find that something doesn't work properly or any scratch or blemish inside or out, I'm going to raise serious hell!!

 

So, I picked up the car today after 6 weeks at the dealership. I inspected the interior and found that the passenger seat leather has a severe near-puncture marks in it from where they had the center console sitting, the center console is scratched and scuffed in numerous places, the running board is scraped and gouged, the passenger side door panel is gouged, and, ready?... the original problem still isn't fixed!!! The seatbelt alarm still doesn't work. I don't even care about that at this point. I showed the manager and she was shocked. She said she would do whatever is needed. They're ordering me a new center console, running board, door panel, and will call me when the parts arrive. Probably next year at this point. She said she would see if someone could repair the seat, but if not, have it re-covered. I'm not sure I like the sound of that. I'm sure I'll be battling with them for a while about this one. Unbelievable!

 

Wow! I don't know what to say. Wow!

 

Wow. cgocifer - that is horrible.
I have never had good luck with Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealerships.
That is some p#&! poor service.

 

With everything else that has happened, I can't say I'm surprised at the final outcome. Its time to start kicking and through stuff in front of other customers and threaten a lawsuit in my opinion. This is BY FAR AND AWAY THE WORST DEALER STORY I HAVE EVER HEARD! I'm not going to say that Chrysler dealers are as good as Lexus dealers, but I've never heard of one that bad. I'm willing to bet that another dealership won't be that problematic.... The technician that damaged the car should be fired after he finishes paying for his **** up! Not to mention, if he knew anything about diagnostics, this would never have happened anyway. Forget the seat warning, live with it. It's minor. I'm guessing they put it back together without fixing it, just to get it out of there and shut you up. Time to GET LOUD!

 

Well, I was very concerned and upset about the leather seat debacle, and I'm sure they could never have repaired it so that it looks new again, so I took matters into my own hands and fixed it my self.

I'll be posting the "how to" in the technical forum, but in a nut shell: after some research, I used one of those vinyl repair kits that you can get from the auto parts store that I had laying around the garage. It has a little electric iron with a circular end. Also in the kit are textured pieces of heat resistant paper. I placed the paper on the creases, and indentions, then used the iron in a back-and-fourth motion. To my surprise, the leather is back to normal with the exception of a centimeter sized indent. Only I can see it because I know where it is. Turns out, leather will stretch back into shape when heated. I tried it on some wear creases too with success. So, if any of you have some deep creases you would like to minimize or remove, give this a try, it works great!

Yeah, I'm not worried about the alarm, frankly, I hated that thing! I just want the car back to the way it was. A new console will be great because it had some scrapes on it to begin with before they added their own. The dealership facility is very nice and looks very professional as well. The staff is very professional too. They blamed the entire thing on Chrysler canceling the parts. They told me that they got screwed in this deal. The dealership has been around for many years and otherwise has a great reputation. Not sure what happened here, but I agree, the techs should have been able to diagnose the problem without having to call Chrysler in the first place. Thanks for the suggestions and comments, I'll post updates as they come.

 

Thanks for sharing the information. I fear I'm going to have a similar story soon...

 

UPDATE:

So, I took the car back to the dealer. Their interior repair guy was able to fix everything. I don't know what technique he used, but the interior looks brand new. All that coated plastic that scuffs so easily is back to brand new again. Here's the new problems though. It's almost funny now. When he taped off the silver plastic on the console, the tape removed the clear coat and finish! He used the blue painter's tape, I saw it! The whole interior is very fragile in these cars. Also, he couldn't repair the door panel. The dealership has ordered a new door panel and center console piece. This time I got the rental and the full attention from the sales manager. She has been great! Still surprised they haven't offered a free oil change or something. Oh, I gave up on the original problem of the seatbelt alarm not working. I don't miss it. So, all in all, I got a new interior out of all of this for free. Their scratches are fixed and some that were already there as well, because the tech couldn't just re-coat small sections, had to do the whole thing. Still a bunch of B.S. I missed an entire month and a half of this car. Up here, that is precious time before the snow comes.