I'm in a dilemma and not sure how to proceed, nor do I know what would be considered fair....
Serious question time.
Wife's Fiat 500L has been at the dealer since July 7th. Just heard from them today that it will be another 6 weeks for the newest part to come in. She is in a loaner (going on a month tomorrow). I could demand all my car payments, insurance payments and a new car, but that to me, seems to be ridiculous. I don't think the dealer is 100% at fault. I don't think Fiat is 100% at fault. I think they're all clueless. Again, We DO have a loaner until it gets fixed. What do we do?
They are the only dealer within 100 miles. So, I can't take it somewhere else (very easily), nor do I think it would make a difference. Lemon law stops at 24,000 miles, we're at 27,000, so no recourse there. We are at their mercy until it gets repaired.
Wife's headed there today to try and talk to the GM. Not sure, if anything, would satisfy us at this point.
Are we being silly to even question it? That's kinda where I'm leaning. They're working on it, we have a new loaner (got it with 83 miles, already have over 1300 on it). Should we be satisfied? I don't expect this newest fix to fix it and am waiting for the dealer to tell us to pound sand and go somewhere else.
What would the hive mind do?
-Rob
Full story if you're interested:
1) Got a CEL showing "turbo underboost" Nothing really noticeable on drive ability.
2) Took in in and dealer asks, "Is it a 500L?" Apparently they had seen it before. Said if they had a new turbo in, should be a "quick" fix.
3) Had to call several times until I could talk to someone. Been fixed "for a while" and "we called several times"... Pick it up on the 16th. Pulling out of the dealer at WOT, stutters the entire time.
4) Back into dealer. No techs available to take a ride in the car. Drove the service advisor and he could feel it, thought it needed a "tuneup" I take it home that Thursday night and just nurse it.
5) Dealer calls Friday and says "So, are you bringing it in today?" Me, "Uh, didn't know I was supposed to, I'll have it to you 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning."
6) They deal with Fiat who has them go through the same steps as before. Somewhere in there the tech drops the motor on his hand and breaks it (we've been reminded of this almost every conversation). Finally hear that they'll replace the turbo and intercooler. Parts will be in soon, should be done around the 5th of August.
7) No worries, wife and I are out of town until the 8th. No calls. Called them on the 10th and "the parts just came in" "oh, and we fired the other service advisor" "and we're short handed so the guy is working on it at night when he can".
8) At this point, we're getting frustrated, so they offer us a Toyota Yaris (stripped) rental.
9) Get a call that the car is ready on the 27th. I go pick it up, ask the service advisor "The tech DID test drive it, correct?" Was assured he had. Everything's ready to go. Sorry it took so long. Hope we don't see you for a while. yada yada yada
10) Pull out of the dealer, second gear, full throttle (BTW, all warmed up, I let it warm up before leaving). Now the stutter is more of a severe bucking on acceleration. Crap!! Go right back in. Of course, no techs to ride in the car. Service advisor rides in it again. Obviously there is a problem. Back to the dealer, calls his boss and talks to the techs. They can't look at it for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks, they're that backed up. I could probably keep driving it. Should be safe. Me, "Uh, no..."
11) Wife calls to explain that a Yaris is NOT equivalent to her almost loaded 500L. They promise her a new 500X loaner on the 1st of September. She gets the loaner with 83 miles on it.
12) We call FiatCares. They'll look into it. Hear from the dealer "since you called Fiat Cares, we have to update you that we're waiting on a prognosis from Fiat"
13) Heard today that it's a turbo solenoid and the part won't be in for 6 weeks. That would put us at 18 weeks (save for one day) that they have had the car....
