Problems Within a Service Department at a Automobile Dealership

As soon as you purchase a vehicle new or used with any problems don't waste any time. Take the car to the dealership for service as soon as possible. When taking the automobile with an issue for service beware of quick repairs. A fast fix is not always the answer. Many quick car repairs normally have to be repaired over again.

When the problem is an electrical issue there will never be a quick fix that works. Reprogramming the computer in a vehicle only repairs the issue for a minimal amount of time (one day until when). Then back in the service department for the same problem. When the same problem persist. Insist on the part being replaced. Of course they would like to keep reprogramming the issue until the guarantee on the automobile expires. Then of course the cost of the issue is on the owner.

Be sure while the warranty is still in effect to pursue the issue or issues until the part is replaced. These are some of the statements to be aware of about the problem or problems. The service person has told owners that this is an issue that all the particular vehicle has. Also, some repair managers has stated that it will not create any other problems or will not break down. But once the warranty has lapsed who will it cost, the owner of course.

The service mangers also have failed to tell the owners that a part has a guarantee and how long.

This is a true story. The owner of a new car with 24 miles when purchased had a transmission and electrical system (keyless system). Within the first few weeks one of the keyless fobs (button piece) wouldn't work. But the owner knowing that there would be an oil change coming soon, decided to wait on the trip to the service department. By the time the owner returned to the dealership for the oil change the transmission had slipped a few times. This happened when taking off in low and second gear. The owner returned for a oil change. At that time talked with the manager about the keyless fobs and transmission slipping. The keyless fobs were reprogrammed. At that time the owner was told that all of that year and model transmissions slip. The manager told the owner they were unsure why but,it would not create any issue or leave the owner stranded. The owner reported the issues to every service manager over the years at every oil change ( average 4000 miles). The keyless electronic system was reprogramed every 4000 miles yet the problem has continued. In 2009 there was a recall on a part for the keyless issue. At that time the repair department exchange the part. Again within a few weeks one of the keyless fobs stopped working. In February 2010 back to dealership for the issues. There wasn't anything done to the fob even though the warranty was still good on the replaced part. The transmission was flushed out and the fluid changed at owner's expense.

At this time it has been 6 years and 3 months later and that owner is still sitting at the dealership with these two issues. The factory warrantee has lapsed and the car only has 67259, miles on it. The owner has stated; "Thank God I purchased the 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty so the cost for the transmission is not on me."

The latest trip for service was in August, 2010. They were back in for the same issues. On this visit the service manager decided the transmission needed to and I quote " RELEARN the addaptives on it." I looking up the word (addaptives) there were no dictionary results. The manager might as well said reprogrammed the transmission. As for the keyless problem, it was reprogrammed again. There was no charge for this service. But how long will they last?

At this time there is a service adviser at that particular automobile dealership. This may make a difference just have to wait to see.