Paige-
Believe it or not, I actually know quite a bit about the legalities of auto
repair, having been a mediator for Chrysler Corp. for three years.
In Ohio (Obviously, you want to check Wisconsin), we have an ordinance on
the book called the "Lemon Law". It states, in part, that if a
mafufacturer's dealer has attempted to repair a defect three times in a
twelve month period, the car is regarded as a lemon and must be re-purchased
by the dealer/mfgr. That's the VERY short version of Ohio law.
If you want to respond offline, I could go into the boring specifics of
arbitration. Bottom line: The dealer must actually try to repair the
problem (a road-test is not sufficient), and the IDENTICAL problem must
still be there.
Don't go elsewhere. Demand an appointment with the "District Service
Manager" and also demand that he ride with you in the car to observe the
problem.
BTW---in your owner's manual (toward the back) should be a section regarding
service complaints and their resolution. It will describe a legal process
to follow to get customer satisfaction. Follow this to a "T". Above all,
do not write threatening or abusive letters to anyone.
Now, specifically about your brake noise:
This is the #1 complaint from new car owners of any make/model. In the
early '90s, the EPA and NHTSA decided that asbestos-based brake pads/shoes
were bad for the environment and folks with respiratory disease. There is
no good alternative to asbestos for this application, but the automakers
came up with an admixture of various soft metals to serve as an asbestos
replacement. Problem is, this compound is still harder than asbestos of
yore. After first "hard-braking" situation", this compound heats up, shock
cools and becomes even more brittle. Thereafter, every time you apply the
brakes, the shoes/calipers will chatter at their natural resonating
frequency. In other words, they'll squeal. Precious little can be done,
save for replacing, pads, rotors, drums--the works. Garages are reticent to
do this because most people who experience this problem haven't "broken in"
the pads/shoes correctly. If they didn't break them in right the first two
times, it's bloody unlikely they will on the third (not being accusatory,
mind you, it had just been my experience).
Back to complaining about it: Don't take the car elsewhere...yet. Get your
owner's manual out and carefully follow the instructions regarding service
problems. Doing so just might lead you to a brand new car.
-Kyle
-----Original Message-----
From: Paige [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2001 11:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Car scenario & question
Ok folks- a question here.....after a brief description of the situation...
My car is 15 months old. (Please- I BEG of you- not to ask what model/make
LOL) It has had 3 recalls, had a transmission leak, and a brake problem
already. Back in November I told them to check the brakes- I heard "Oh the
brakes should be fine"...which led me to believe that they did NOT check
them. So this last time I had the car in - they put new shoes on the
brakes- all is well right? Nope- still makes a horrendous noise not all the
time- when I apply the brakes. (EVERYTHING is under warranty- thatnk God I
got the BIG warranty!)
I get the run around and put off- I end up having to leave my car overnight
with them for 2 nights- not just 1. This really gets me mad because I live
45 minutes away and I NEED my car! They don't do "loaner" cars anymore and
I cannot rent a car- and they won't budge on a loaner.
So, my question is.,.... how do I present THIS again to them...obviously
they think I am a dumb woman..... As I cannot afford to keep taking my car
in there all the time...(I stay at friend's houses in the city where I take
it but it's getting old- and it's a BIG inconvenience ssince I have a thing
called a "job"... as for finding another dealership to do the work..... I
have two within a short distance from where I live now. But I figure that
the ones who should have fixed it in the first place and ordered brake
shoes/pads and SUPPOSEDLY fixed it- should be the ones to REALLY fix it!
After all, I have told them twice and now will make three times that my
brakes STILL MAKE NOISE!
What / who shall I complain to? What or don't I demand from these morons?
Or do I simply just write a nice (not) letter to that dealership and go
elsewhere?
thanks
Paige
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