Nov. 2005 we purchased a used 2002 Dodge Pickup from a local Ford Dealer. Two days later we had to take it on a trip, three days later enroute home, 500 miles away, the rear differential started making noise and failed.
We called the dealer where we purchased it and they had us take it to the nearest Dodge/Chrysler dealer. That dealer then rebuilt the differential for us and told us it would have a 12month/12K mile warranty.
When we got the vehicle back into our posession we noticed a shudder/vibration etc coming from the differential. We called the dealer where we purchased the vehicle again and they took it to Four Seasons Auto Plaza, aka Phil Lamb Inc., since it should have been a warranty service.
Four Seasons then informed them they could find no problems with it and suggested replacing the lubricant with the factory recommended lubricant and additives and told us to drive it for a two or three months to insure time for the lubricants to work.
Again we got the truck back and drove it for about three months as they suggested with no change in the problem. We again took it to the Ford dealer where we purchased it and they replaced the rear universal joints which were indeed worn out but still did not fix the problem.
The service manager at Ford then gave us the original invoice/repair order from when the differential was rebuilt and told us to call Four Seasons ourselves to get it resolved.
We then took it to Four Seasons and I took the service advisor for a ride in the truck so he would experience the problem, which he did and acknowledged so.
After four days the service advisor called my wife and told her they "tore down the diferrential to check the components and clearances but could not find a problem". She then told him to call me and explain since she did not understand what he was talking about. He then called me and said basically the same thing and they had put it back together, replenished the lubricants and was ready for us to pick up.
I picked up the truck the following day. Upon my arrival I was informed, to my suprise, we owed them for the work they did. When I asked why it was not warrantied he just replied they don't honor the warranty of another dealer since they are independently owned. Well I understand that completely thus called the dealer that rebuilt the differential and they assumed the bill and paid it.
I then left there and drove the truck home, this was Friday. Monday morning my wife drove the truck to work but she drove bout fifteen miles and the differential locked up, breaking the driveshaft and transfer case and skidding her off the rode.
When she called me I imediately phoned Four Seasons and the service advisor assured me they would have it towed back to them and find out "what went wrong".
Two days later the service advisor called and told me they removed the "inspection cover" and "could not find any cause for the failure".
I then called Chrysler and explained what had transpired, the lady advised me to take the truck to yet another Chrysler/Dodge Dealer to have it checked. I took it to another dealer and they informed me that "the differential had seized due to lack of lubricants or no lubricants thus causing the damage" to a tune of over $5000.00. When Four Seasons was informed of this, and an estimate to repair, they denied ever working on the differential and denied any responsibility/accountability.
The current dealer then suggested calling the Attorney General and/or an attorney. We did both, we have not heard from the Attorney General on this matter to date. The private attorney I called, although insuring me we would most likely win a law suit against them, informed me it suing them would inevitably cost approximately what it would cost us to fix the truck ourselves.
Is their no avenue for justice to the common man/woman that cannot afford to use the courts we pay for with our taxes anyway?
Any input appreciated.
Oh and forget the BBB, we've tried calling them multiple times and just keep getting automated responses that just loop us back the extension we originally called, and filing a report which was onliine and want paid for that never went thru "Page not found".
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