Anyone had a string of bad luck with a new car???

[tcs69rt]

It's always dangerous to ask for an opinion, haha! So, here goes. I bought the wife a 2013 Journey RT AWD from a Dodge dealer with 5500 miles to replace her PT Cruiser. Long story short, we returned the car the very next day (10/07/2014) because of an "internal squeal". Chrysler sent the dealer a new short block after an "engineer" reviewed the car and 5 weeks later (11/16/2014) we brought the car home. Next morning (11/17/2014) I had 2 oil puddles under it. I crawled under and the oil pan plug was 2.5 turns out? I video taped it and sent it to the service manager. As I tightened the plug it started to leak power steering fluid. So rather than drive the car 24 miles back to the dealer I told them to send a wrecker to get it. That was the fourth time this car went back to them in 5 weeks. I told them I have lost confidence in their maintenance procedures. Did they torque all the head bolts when they assembled the new block? I was in the military for 20 years and in our maintenance world we had a second set of eyes and signatures on everything we turned a wrench on. If any of you have had a similar experience...what result worked best for you? If your answer is "they owe you a new car" no dealer is going to give me a fully loaded 2015 car for 11 grand less than the price. Do I "bargain" for a free extended warranty? Suggestions? This is the first time this has ever happened to me. Thanks! TC

[Bandit72]

Friend of mine bought a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica with 30000 miles. Had it 3 days and the oil light came on about 100 miles from home. She shut it down and pulled over. Called the place she got it from and explained that she was 100 miles away and had 2 young kids with her and couldn't very well walk or ride in a tow truck...they were COMPLETELY unwilling to help but told her to check the oil and if it was fine that she'd be ok to bring it home and to bring it into them the next day.  Well....she did....almost. It made it within 20 miles of home and it shit the bed. I went and got it and took it back to the dealer where I proceeded to get bitched at because I wasn't going to weave my 92 dodge long bed extended cab with an 18' car trailer through there maze of a parking lot to take it to the service department...so I dropped the thing off at the very far end of there property. Few weeks later she gets a call that they put a new engine in it and she was lucky that they weren't going to charge her because it was her fault that she continued to drive with the oil light on  Fast forwards 2 weeks....same drive, same 2 kids in the car, there "new engine" chucks the timing belt or chain or whatever it had. She left it there and I went and picked them up. She called them the next business day and gave them directions on where to find there car and told them she wasn't going to make any more payments on it. They argued a while but eventually gave it up.

[tsmithae]

No string of bad luck, just a VERY bad instance of bad luck.  I bought a Volvo (used) from a reputable dealer in Chicago.  I needed a reliable driver for college and this one seemed to be just right.  I checked it over and yes, it had a few things that needed addressing but that was negotiated in the price.  I got not even 10 miles from the dealership on one of Chicago's 4 lane highways (fast lane, of course...) and had the heater core burst on me... The cabin filled with steam, I instantly was blind, coughing, and didn't know where the controls were with any certainty.  At this point in time I was doing 70 and just put on my turn signal and started moving to the right hoping I didn't cause any accidents.  Miraculously I managed to get to the shoulder, stop an inch off of a guard rail, fall out of my drivers door in a fit of coughing and find a seat on the shoulder without incident. 

As soon as I was able to breathe again, I called the dealer and asked to speak with the salesman.  I told him a tow truck would be bringing he car back and that he was going to have it fixed immediately.  Long story short, I was in the showroom (very high-end may I add... Porsches, Lambos, Ferraris, BMWs, etc) almost yelling at a salesman about the lemon he sold me and demanding that he sort it out.  I was told it would be fixed and delivered to my door at their cost within a week.  A week late, no car so I called them and told them their check was canceled and they can keep the car if they wished.  Six months later, I get a phone call from them asking why I never paid for my car.  I started telling the story to the rep. and instantly she was apologizing profusely and asking forgiveness for the inconvenience. 


I'd say that the dealership should rectify the problem either by paying for an independent to fix and asses the car or by getting you a comparable car as a replacement.   

[Pete in NH]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're having so much trouble with what is essentially a new vehicle. First thing I would suggest is document everything. Make notes with date, time and who you spoke with about what subject of every phone conversation. Take pictures and keep everything together in a folder. This car should still be under Chrysler's original warranty. It's a shame that so many dealer shops turn out sloppy work but, the mechanics are always under the gun to work fast and maximize profits. That should not be your problem though.

Check if your state has a "lemon law". Many states have laws to protect consumers in cases where the dealer can't or won't fix a car properly. See under what conditions your state law may apply. Four times back for repairs in five weeks is a bit much. Also, get the Chrysler Zone rep. involved and start mentioning returning the car to Chrysler if your state law covers you. I would insist on  a free loaner car every time it goes back and yes, I would be looking for a no cost to you extended warranty at this point to cover work they did beyond the Chrysler warranty. Check into that lemon law, it makes a great bargaining chip.

[tcs69rt]

Thanks for the advice fellas! Got the car back last night with no leaks or issues until I opened the hood and found the under hood insulation torn and hanging    I called and they will change it out on the first oil change....which makes me nervous now.

[Paul G]

I really worry when a vehicle of mine has to go to the dealer, or any repair shop for service. What should be a simple or easy repair sometimes can go south quickly by poor quality work from the service department. I have not found a way around it. Other than do your own work whenever possible.

[Dino]

I never go to a dealer, once I bought my car I knew I wouldn't be back.  If I don't do the maintenance or repairs myself I take it to a small mom and pop mechanic shop where people actually know how to do things once and do them right.  I also can't do an oil change for the low price they charge there.

[RallyeMike]

The last two new Mopars I bought were so bad that they clearly qualified for return under my States lemon laws. I toughed it out on first one (and was sorry I did), but gave the second one back. I guess my advice is if you have early, constant, or repeating problems, look into your States' laws and pull the plug earlier rather than later. Sooner or later the warranty runs out and you are stuck with it!

On the truck I gave back, the dealer, local reps, and the 3rd party company they hire to deal with these issues were no help at all. They just try and make you feel like things will get better and stall you. Then it's too late to deal with it under the lemon laws. When I got more insistent and was demanded to talk to an higher up Chrysler area rep, I gave him the facts (keep good records including conversation notes) and told him I was going to declare it lemon if they did not take it back. It was only at that level I got it resolved. He agreed immediately and they took the truck back. So I guess my advice here is if you are not getting satisfaction, demand to push it up the chain in Chrysler.

[ACUDANUT]

Umm, go Ford for a new or newer car.   I bought my last new Dodge 6 years ago. Never again. 

[Paul G]

Not Ford. They ended up taking back my 2013 F250. 4 times back to the dealer for bad brakes. They had it for several months working on it. Still has bad brakes. Don't know what they did with it in the end.

[Charger-Bodie]

They all have lemons. Period.

[Cooter]

I have to smile reading this......

[Mike DC]

   
Yep, they hall have lemons.  And repeat widespread problems.  And horror stories.  And great stories too. 


What's the overall long term pattern?  That's what you trust.

[Paul G]

Sometimes, when you see a low mile one or two year old car on dealers lot, why is it there? Did they have so much trouble they traded it back in?

[Chatt69chgr]

My wife's 94 Taurus bought new.  3.8l engine.  Started smelling antifreeze at 25K.  Radiator busted at 35K.  Heads off at 36K for new head gaskets.  Still smelling antifreeze.  Heads off at 55K.  New head gaskets.  Two weeks later head gaskets leaked into oil and destroyed bottom end of engine.  In the meantime, had 4 speedo's fail, one motor mount, right rear window regulator motor fail, ac hoses failed, transmission range sensor failed twice.  Ford put in a "new" short block--I had purchaed the 5 yr/60,000 mile warranty extension thank goodness.  I found out there are no new short blocks.  They are all rebuilt.  It's a part so only had 12 mo or 12,000 miles warranty.  We purchased a 3 yr extension (which Ford quit offering) on engine.  Sold the car before this ran out.  I swore I would never own another Ford (had a F100 for 29 years) but have to admit that I like the Mustangs with the 412 HP engine.  Wish that engine was in a 2009 model.

Worst part of all was the Service dept manager consistantly lied and stonewalled us. I got so mad that when I sold the car I bought the wife a Toyota Camry.  We just sold it last year and now she has a 4runner. 

[Mike DC]

       
Ford was so proud of those Tauruses, too.

[lloyd3]

I hate to say it, but stories like these are what got me to try Japanese vehicles.  There is a reason why Honda and Toyota are selling so many cars here. When you only have so much money to spend, you want to be sure you're not getting stuck with a lemon.  I have now owned 4 Japanese vehicles (3 SUVs, & 1 econobox sedan) and I have had almost no problems with them. I change the oil, the tires, and the brakes and just drive them. I have liked them so-much that when I replace them with a newer version, I usually end up selling to a friend's son or daughter or giving the old one to a relative so they can finally have a dependable vehicle.  I'm sure the Jap cars have some problems as well, but certainly not with the frequency of the domestic stuff.  Toys are one thing, safe, dependable and economic vehicles are another.

[green69rt]

  We've owned mopars since I bought my used 65 Barracuda in 1968 and all were pretty fair cars.  We bought a 95 Chrysler Cirrus ( first year model ) ordered from the dealer.  From day one there were problems, went to pick it up and the dealer tried to give us a different car off the lot, turned out he had ordered the wrong options and was trying to pass us off with another.  Got that straightened out.  60 k and the trans comes apart, 75k and electronics start to fail (ECU, ABS, dash, radio).   100k I get a new AC condensor and compressor.  150k the AC evap leaks and the tranny failed again,  on and on.  Too late for me to declare a lemon.   I did drive it for 160k so I guess that counts for something but I think I spent as much on repairs as the purchase price of the car.  Just not a good experience.  My wife refused another American car, bought an Acura.  175k on it and the only thing that broke was the CD player.

I have a 2005 Chevy Colorado and all is well so far, only repair was a fuel pressure regulator leak after 65k.

[Dino]

Despite my wife and I both having US cars as toys, trans am and charger, our dailies are Hondas because they are simply put much better made cars than those of the big 3.  I'll probably always have a Japanese or maybe a German car.  This whole brand loyalty thing only makes sense if you get your money's worth.

[odcics2]

I don't have any issues with any present Chrysler products, or past ones, for that matter.
I have helped push a Toyota with a seized engine & a Honda with a locked up steering column (onto a 2 wheel dolly - to be pulled by a Ram)



   

[ACUDANUT]

Buy American (owned), BE AMERICAN. 

[Mike DC]

  
Bad quality in Detroit is not a failure of the American spirit, it's just a management decision.  Like offering black paint or chrome wheels this year.  Spend more money on extra R&D, better materials, tighter tolerances, and the quality appears.  There's nothing magical about it. 

If management doesn't offer what the public wants, then the public should take their business elsewhere.  

[tcs69rt]

Problem solved. Turned in the Journey RT (Lemon) and got the wife a 2015 Durango AWD for our snow here in Colorado.



Funny how my other Dodges have been trouble free....for the moment! lol

[ACUDANUT]

I hate to say it, but stories like these are what got me to try Japanese vehicles.  There is a reason why Honda and Toyota are selling so many cars here. When you only have so much money to spend, you want to be sure you're not getting stuck with a lemon.  I have now owned 4 Japanese vehicles (3 SUVs, & 1 econobox sedan) and I have had almost no problems with them. I change the oil, the tires, and the brakes and just drive them. I have liked them so-much that when I replace them with a newer version, I usually end up selling to a friend's son or daughter or giving the old one to a relative so they can finally have a dependable vehicle.  I'm sure the Jap cars have some problems as well, but certainly not with the frequency of the domestic stuff.  Toys are one thing, safe, dependable and economic vehicles are another.

Buy American owned please.  People in Japan don't buy our stuff. Why should we buy theirs.  I lived in japan for a year and they are more patriotic to Japan, than most Americans about our products.

[Paul G]

I can't get myself to consider anything but American cars. I guess I am a dying breed. Prefer to use cash too.