My closest Chrysler dealership is Larson Chrysler, so that is where I began taking my car when it had problems. The first time I took it in was a bad experience. The car was making 3 different noises. These include a rubbing noise in the steering column, a screeching noise when turning the wheel, and a front end clunking noise while going over bumps.
They magically couldnt hear the clunking noise or screeching noise, but they recommended replacing the clock spring to eliminate the noise in the steering column. They charged me $47.50 just to listen for the screeching noise and another $47.50 to diognose the clock spring. Local Shops dont even charge me $47.50 to listen for a noise!
They said the clock spring wouldnt be covered by warranty even though the car has the original max coverage warranty. I decided just to put up with the problem for a while to save some money. A little less than 1000 miles later, I stopped in a DIFFERENT Chrysler dealership to have my oil changed and a different problem taken care of.
This time I had a leak in the EVAP hose. This dealer replaced that AND the clock spring for me and covered it under warranty. Funny Larson Chrysler said warranty wouldnt cover it. After this experience, my 2 radiator fan relays went out. This was a cheap repair, so I paid a private mechanic to fix it for me since the other dealership was too inconvenient to get to and Larson would have found an excuse why they wouldnt cover the repair under warranty.
After Factory Warranty Expired:
I made the BIG MISTAKE of not insisting that Larson hear the clunking noise in the beginning before the warranty expired. After it expired, the clunking got worse and worse. I looked at the suspension myself and found that the coil spring isolators were shredded on both sides. I called Larson and told them about this hoping they would still fix it since it was a previous problem they supposedly looked for and couldnt find while under warranty.
Even though I had the reciept proving they looked for the clunking noise and couldnt find it, they said I was out of luck. This ended up costing me $412 to fix by a private mechanic! Atleast it got rid of the clunking noise. Also, I am not a mechanic and was able to find the problem just by looking behind the tire, so I do not believe that Larson inspected my suspension to even look for the cause of the clunking like they stated on the receipt.
The above experiences happened within the past two years, and my car has been somewhat trouble free ever since. However, about one month ago I decided to buy an extended service contract through Chrysler due to the car's problematic history. I purchased the added care plus plan for 5 additional years of coverage. This cost me about $2500. I simply got it for the piece of mind. Unfortunately, I believe I cursed myself by doing this.
About 1 week after I purchased the additional coverage, my radio began acting up and as I was driving one day the car began making a bad rubbing noise up front and handling sloppy. I brought it in to Larson greatful that I had purchased the extended coverage. They immediately told me I needed a new radio and needed new front struts. They said that due to the one blown strut and the other about to blow, the car was unsafe to drive.
They said they had to verify with Chrysler that it was covered under my warranty even though the warranty pamphlet specifically stated these items were covered. He said they had no time that day to get it done even though I brought it to them that morning with an appointment. I had no choice now but to let them keep the car overnight. The next day they called and said the warranty wouldnt cover the radio and struts.
When I asked why the hell not, they said that they determined that the problems were pre-existing before I purchased the additional coverage! I told them that the problems started days AFTER I had purchased the additional coverage and asked how they came up with that verdict. They couldnt explain why! All they said is that they called the Chrysler Warranty center in Denver and thats what they said! This is poor business practice on Chrysler and Larsons part.
The Chrysler center in Denver had obviously never even seen my car and just said that to save money. Also if Larson was a company with ANY moral values or ANY care for the customer whatsoever, they would have argued with Chrysler in Denver.
On top of this, I was given a sheet with over $600 in recommended maintenance. This included a new air filter which I had just replaced a month earlier and is totally clean, a tranny flush which the manual calls for at 100,000 miles and I only have 30,000 miles, and new belts which my private mechanic told me are totally fine!
These past experiences have given me no doubt that Larson Chrysler is not on the customer's side. They will recommend unneeded services and gladly take your money, but never support you. It is a one way street. Also, if Larson truly did contact the Denver Chrysler Warranty center and be denied the claim, it proved that Chrysler is just as bad. However, them calling could just be a lie like the other ones they have told me.
Lakeboyrtk
lakewood, Washington
U.S.A.
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