DEAD DUALLY!!! HELP

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Well here I am, the '95 is at the dealer, 4th week, with a cracked spring tower and the only service is lip. This is the 2WD, IFS Dually so the recall does not apply however it is obviously a factory defect. Anybody have an idea on how to wake up a sleepy dealer? I was hoping to find others who may have this trouble... . power in numbers. Not that I would wish this on anyone!!!!!

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9535hunderd

 

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Can you say attorney?The problem though is that it would be cheaper to pay to have it fixed than pay a lawyer. I agree that it could be a factory defect. But if its out of warranty your hands are tied and DC has the upper hand. I would also find another shop to do the repairs if this dealer hasnt done anything.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB( so what it works},my own designed CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars(more to come)

 

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Let me be sure I understand you Michael, attorney, one of those self serving weenies who suck cash out of the working mans pocket. Huh, I would rather wait for the NHTSA to go get um. I work hard for my $ and to give it away is not an option, besides steel does not fatigue unless it is defective of stressed beyond its design... my truck has never been wrecked so there is your answer... I am a heavy equipment mechanic/machinist and have been for 25 years.

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9535hunderd

 

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I called the regional DC rep one time. He (after a few choice words)lite a fire under the dealerships butt. They do not like words
like litigation,public knowledge,or demonstration of rights(full page add in local paper).

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

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Champane, Now your'e talking! My hopes were to find support in numbers (others who share this or simular problems). I was a bit disappointed that windshield wipers and lights get so many replys, often within minutes then guys with real "headscratchers" often get zip or little. No doubt about it there is a wealth of info. and experience out there in "cyberland" but I guess the easy is taken on first.

Thanks for the super idea,,Mr. Regional rep. will be earning his money this week! Any idea how to find his phone # ?

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9535hunderd

 

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I got the number of my regional rep from dialing the 800# for service out of owners manual. They were nice enough to give me regional #. My problem was not warranty work but dealership not allowing me in the shop while recall work was being done. They told me they would not allow me to supervise and would not do the work. After contacting rep and signing insurance release I was allowed to watch. I do not trust kids to a 30000. 00 machine.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

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Champane's idea is a good one. Disrict rep If large city is near by they like to have regional/distirict offices located there.

 

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Thanks for the ideas... sometimes ya just need someone else to point ya the right direction, can't see s--- when your'e in it!

My wife sent a dynamite letter to Thomas Stallkamp (DC Pres. ) via Fax, who knows what will happen. in case anyone needs it (Fax #)
here it is. . 248 512 1746 No one can hide when there is the net!

Hope all you guys get chromed goodies and that special tool you needed! #ad


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9535hunderd

 

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statland,

let us know how it works out for ya if you are able to get a rep involved. I am curious because a few years back I spoke with a regional rep and voiced my frustrations with dealers and their lack of customer service and abilities to repair problems and always getting the run a round. The rep did not deny he knew of these problems with the dealerships he over saw, but he also made it clear to not go calling him up every time I had a warranty dispute and was getting nowhere with the service dept. He said as a rep he could only review the case and make suggestions to DC headquarters, but the dealers voice was going to carry more weight than his. What I got from the discussion was the dealership's input to DC mostly determines the outcome, the rep has a much smaller influence on getting warranty work authortized. The rep highly encouraged me to work with the dealer in trying to resolve problems.

Of course this was coming from a rep who was new to the position, so maybe he did not know exactly his role in these situations. Or maybe he did not want to do his job, so used the "you need to work it out with the dealer" excuse.

Anyone have an opinion or take on this???? Who has had to get a rep involved in warranty issues with dealers??? How effective was the rep?? HOw much influence do they have with DC headquarters??? What is a person to do when getting the run-a- round by dealers and the brush-off from DC???

 

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I'll probably regret this... but:

When the regional rep happened through the shop and my truck was there getting something looked at (unrelated to engine) and the rep noticed I had a power box he went to the DC computer and immediately voided my engine warranty. He had every right to make a notation to pay close scrutiny but to void it outright was nuts. Think Magusson-Moss saves you? Ever hear of the EPA? You do anything to possibly modify the emissions and they can void anything they want. I'd rather be my own warranty station anyway since they break it ever time they touch it -- but buyer beware so-to-speak.

This is personal opinion based on several years observation:

Take note that the DC reps bonus and job security is based on DENIAL OF SERVICE. Not SERVICE, DENIAL OF SERVICE. Get it? If they spend too much money on repairs they get a lower rating and less bonus, so they are given an incentive to avoid warranty repairs.

That's also how dealers get "five star ratings". That rating is in large part based on how much money they save DC by avoiding warranty repairs. They do too much warranty work, they get lower rating, no five stars.

Think the "customer survey" balances out the incentive to save money by avoiding warranty work? THINK AGAIN! You talking about that survey card you get with the repair ticket when you check out? How many have you seen? Not many? Could that be because they fill them out for you? They check how great their service is and send it back and you never see it. Presto, magic. Crummy service but excellent rating.

If it's Five Star: It's Five Star Denial of Service.

Jusy my opinion. Love my Dodge, Love my Cummins, Hate Dealers in General. The above holds true for all of the big automakers, although DC is way worse since the German's took it over (note the collapsed profitability of Chrysler since Daimler). If you're lucky you have a dealer that has enough volume to push back on DC and can get you good service. Most aren't that lucky.

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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 275s and Original PowerMax
A "WARRANTY FREE" ZONE
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

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Mark,

From my personal experience and what I read here on the TDR board, your response is right on target.

When I was truck shopping in '94-'95 I remember the dealer displaying all these signs and banners "customer choice"??? and the salesman went on and on about this program/philosophy and how "important" I was to Chyrsler, how well I would be treated if I was part of "the dodge family", how well I would be treated long after the sale, etc. . Well I guess I got all caught up in the excitment of buying a new truck. I'm sure if I would have read those banners/signs really close I would have found some "fine-print" (on the back) which said something like: "This promotional BS is not valid once you purchase and take delivery of your new Chyrsler vehicle" "Chrysler's commitment to customer service is void, along with your warranty, once Chrysler Corp has your money".

 

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I do tend to agree with the dealerships downright poor or non-existent service on warranty work. They all love to make the sale and do high priced service work for you. But when it comes to warranty work they all balk. I do all my own work on my vehicle and the only thing I will let the dealership do is recall work. And don't trust them at that. I can tell you plenty of horror storys from dealerships of all the major brands. At the same time I have seen a few that turned out OK.

I am only making a suggestion for one action. A full page add in the local paper denoting poor service works also. This does cost a little more however. Parking your vehicle in front of dealership with large lemon sign on it just agrevates them. The regional rep I spoke to was very considerate and understanding. He also told me that he had his fair share of people that just called him to ***** with no real reason other than they had to make a payment on a vehicle that they were tired of or did not come up to their expectations. If something breaks on my truck I fix it. Its pretty simple. But so far not expensive. 1. 77 in 70000 miles(fuel return line).

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

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Haven't heard from you in awhile Statland. How is the battle going?

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...