I'm having an issue with my driveshaft that should be covered under my warranty. My local dealer who has been servicing my car over the last 3 years refused to book an appointment for me because I did not originally purchase the car for them. They told me they are too booked right now, has anyone else experienced this? I've spent at least $8,000 with them servicing the car over the years. Should I reach out to Dodge?
Service Center Won't Schedule Appointment
-
Hey Everyone! Vote for the Site Favourite HOTM winner for the year of 2022 HERE!
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
My Svc Dept is 2-3 weeks out & has been for a while...
Would you really want to schedule service with a dealership service center you called out to corporate? I would look for another dealership service center and if they treat you well, throw all of your future business to them.
Well, you sort of contradicted yourself. "They refused because you didn't buy the car from them" and "they're too busy". A driveshaft problem? "YOU" have spent 8K? Is there a back story here? Car and miles? I waited over two months for a driver's side motor mount which finally came in.
They told me because they are so backed up they are only booking appointments for people who have purchased the vehicle from them. I daily drive my car and am approaching 60k miles, that 8k was spent on tiers, breaks and general servicing over the years.
My car is 100% stock, the hanger bearing in the drive shaft seems like it is going bad. I did some research and this seems like a common issue in the early hellcats, mine is a 2016.
See if @DodgeCares can help...
Kind of a bad time to need the car in for anything. Service departments are busy dealing with the influx of vehicles as owners prepare for the summer and vacation driving.
Not practical for everyone but this is one reason why I like to have two vehicles. I can book one in for service and if necessary do without the vehicle but still get around using my 2nd vehicle. Oh and generally dealers are very short on loaners. I have not had to have my Scat Pack in for anything other than oil/filter services and I wait for the car. But my M-B van was in for a low pressure fuel pump about 5 or 6 times and was in the shop for several days to around 2 weeks. But I had my Scat Pack to drive in the meantime.
That's the thing, I have a 2nd car I can use. I don't need a loaner and told them that. I'm just more upset at the customer service more than anything else. I got a different dealer to take in next week.
Joined
·
1,645 Posts
It's their prerogative to service their purchase customers first. Go somewhere else. I don't know what you expect Dodge to do.
Actually fairly common. When things are hectic they reward/prioritize their buying customers. It's their way of saying "hey you shoudve bought one from us and not gone elsewhere..."
Joined
·
1,628 Posts
The one I bought mine through and service at has about a week backlog, six months ago half the department had Covid and it was a 3 - 4 week wait.
Joined
·
1,177 Posts
I was thinking the same thing and I can't say I really blame them, especially with warranty work as they make a fair amount less on those transactions. Sounds like they want to ensure that the people whom bought their car through them get the best service and then feel open time with fill ins. While I would be frustrated too if I was in your shoes I can't say it's something I would try and fight.
- Also a good reason to buy from someone else.....the sales department and service department are supposed to be separate, and this is one of the reasons. The warranties on new cars come from Dodge, not the dealers...
For sure. But theyre trying to give their purchasing customers preferential service. Keeps some coming back. Especially when theyre backlogged already. Nothing to do with who's warrantying them really. All the whining on here about how the German car dealers wine and dine and Dodge doesnt. This is the flipside. People need to be careful what they wish for lol.
Well, I don't know about those German car dealers....I just know I've never bought a new German car and gotten the privilege of being "Wined and Dined"!
- I could be wrong, but I think dealers already have a lot of leeway to offer many things to customers who buy from them ....such as discounts/incentives above and beyond what Dodge offers, free oil changes (at that dealer only) , financing etc....a free key chain or ball cap...and the list goes on.
I only mention warranty because....if I have a new Dodge car with a standard Dodge warranty - and I'm taking a trip across several states and it breaks down....I don't want to be told at a authorized Dodge dealer that they won't fix my car because I didn't buy the car there! I'd like to think Dodge corporate wouldn't be happy about that either....
A smarter dealer might just tell you that they're swamped and have a 3 week backlog and leave it at that....
100% agree.Well, I don't know about those German car dealers....I just know I've never bought a new German car and gotten the privilege of being "Wined and Dined"!
- I could be wrong, but I think dealers already have a lot of leeway to offer many things to customers who buy from them ....such as discounts/incentives above and beyond what Dodge offers, free oil changes (at that dealer only) , financing etc....a free key chain or ball cap...and the list goes on.
I only mention warranty because....if I have a new Dodge car with a standard Dodge warranty - and I'm taking a trip across several states and it breaks down....I don't want to be told at a authorized Dodge dealer that they won't fix my car because I didn't buy the car there! I'd like to think Dodge corporate wouldn't be happy about that either....
A smarter dealer might just tell you that they're swamped and have a 3 week backlog and leave it at that....
My local dealers (all brands) have lots that are 70% empty so I'm guessing they are not getting many cars to sell these days, therefore, the service dept is a critical source of revenue. If they are backed up for weeks, seems like they need a couple more techs and/or OT. P'ing off customers is never a good marketing plan.
My 2nd thought is why are so many people having problems with their Dodges?!?!? Maybe I need to rethink the new Ram....
My 2nd thought is why are so many people having problems with their Dodges?!?!? Maybe I need to rethink the new Ram....
Joined
·
423 Posts
If your car is covered under the original manufacturer warranty a dealership cannot refuse to service your vehicle. Your owner’s manual, warranty, and finance contract each state expressly that you should take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for repairs. This is a condition of the contract that is your warranty and if they refuse to honor it, they are in breach of contract.
That being said… Being too busy to take in your car immediately may be a practical reality and it is up to you to decide how you would like to proceed.
Option 1: Schedule an appointment at another dealer—preferably online where no one will have an opportunity to refuse you.
Option 2: Schedule the service with the dealer you want online, where they will not have an opportunity to refuse the appointment and take it in anyway. If they refuse to diagnose your car on the day, have them print out the repair order. This is evidence of a repair attempt and will count toward meeting the criteria for a future Lemon Law claim.
Option 3: Contact Dodge Cares. They will first try to arrange something to your satisfaction with your preferred dealership. If that fails, they will arrange something with another dealer. They may also offer to arrange collection of your car or a free loaner/rental as a customer delight gesture.
Legal Option 4a: Have an attorney contact them on your behalf. The attorney will call or write (e.g., demand letter) to the dealership and Dodge on your behalf explaining your rights, citing the relevant statutes, and your preparedness to exercise your legal recourse. This approach is inexpensive and highly effective in cases where there is little to no doubt as to each parties’ legal obligations—no one risks going to court already knowing they are in the wrong.
Legal Option 4b: Assuming your attorney agrees you have a compelling case, sue Dodge and the dealership. This is probably not worth the effort compared to just going somewhere else, but if you can afford it, and want to stand on principle, this is a very common course of action in the United States.
The point here is not to tell you what you should or should not do. It is merely to help you by listing possible courses of action.
Good luck.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
