msincognito
Member
What is the name of your state? Florida
My parents bought a new car a few months ago from a local dealership. A few weeks ago, in preparation for their first road trip in the car, they took it in to the same dealership to have its first service.
While changing the oil, the tech somehow managed to install the oil filter without a seal. About the time they hit Alabama, the car started making noise. They took it to the dealership there, where they discovered they'd been driving the car essentially with no oil in it.
The Alabama dealership says the engine was certainly damaged but can't say how much. They documented that the filter was improperly installed, including a note in the shared computer system. My parents plan to contact the original dealership Monday.
I don't expect that dealership to offer to do much of anything, based on their general reputation for bad service.
Unfortunately, when my parents bought the car they did sign an arbitration agreement that agrees to arbitrate disputes arising from (among other things) "vehicle warranty, workmanship, labor, service, maintenance and repair."
However, I'm not sure (and the arbitration agreement doesn't specifically say) whether those limitations apply to maintenance performed AFTER the original contract was signed. If so, I'm worried about their chances of a good outcome.
Anybody out there with experience on auto dispute resolution agreements? Or a good guess? What would constitute a fair recovery in this situation?
I'm thinking a new engine or an extended warranty with special protections for engine failure. My dad is thinking new car.
My parents bought a new car a few months ago from a local dealership. A few weeks ago, in preparation for their first road trip in the car, they took it in to the same dealership to have its first service.
While changing the oil, the tech somehow managed to install the oil filter without a seal. About the time they hit Alabama, the car started making noise. They took it to the dealership there, where they discovered they'd been driving the car essentially with no oil in it.
The Alabama dealership says the engine was certainly damaged but can't say how much. They documented that the filter was improperly installed, including a note in the shared computer system. My parents plan to contact the original dealership Monday.
I don't expect that dealership to offer to do much of anything, based on their general reputation for bad service.
Unfortunately, when my parents bought the car they did sign an arbitration agreement that agrees to arbitrate disputes arising from (among other things) "vehicle warranty, workmanship, labor, service, maintenance and repair."
However, I'm not sure (and the arbitration agreement doesn't specifically say) whether those limitations apply to maintenance performed AFTER the original contract was signed. If so, I'm worried about their chances of a good outcome.
Anybody out there with experience on auto dispute resolution agreements? Or a good guess? What would constitute a fair recovery in this situation?
I'm thinking a new engine or an extended warranty with special protections for engine failure. My dad is thinking new car.
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