dealer intentionally disconnects the heater from my car after service visit

[dp2004]

What is the name of your state?
WI

2004 chevy malibu maxx lt
today i got my car back after taking it to another dealership to try and get the "highway pulling/leading to the left" problem fixed. wait until you hear this one. not only did they tell my i had a red flag next to my name from chevrolet but they didn't even put down on my repair order that i came in for a "highway driving" concern. we all know why they avoided putting down "highway driving pulling/leading to the left" because theres an open tsb that fixes that problem.

instead they put down i came in for the exact problem as i did before which was the car pulling to the left when accelerating from a red light. then as im driving out of the lot i noticed i have no heat. there's no light on my heat display to show the temp or anything! the dealership did something to my car intentionally to turn off the heat in my car. i live in WI and today it was 5 degrees. I drove back and then they told me to leave and that chevy told them not to touch my car for the steering problem. i told them that's fine, but they have to fix the heater that they intentionally broke. they told me to leave or they will call the police. my mailbu has 8,000 miles on it and never had a heating problem where you couldn't even turn on your heat in your car. chevy corp. is obviously playing games with me and now they intentionally disconnected my heater.

i don't know what else to say or do. the WI DOT who is investigating my original dealer will also hear about this other dealership.

 

[wnagel]

Perhaps you didn't now, but dealerships pay mechanics to intentionally break cars, especially for things that they didn't even come in for. Our quota would be at least 15 breaks a week, and then after a year of intentionally breaking peoples cars, we would win a trip to Hawaii.

Nothing more satisfying than taking out a heater in 5 degree weather. Us techs would laugh about that for hours during our lunch hours.

 

[dp2004]

Perhaps you didn't now, but dealerships pay mechanics to intentionally break cars, especially for things that they didn't even come in for. Our quota would be at least 15 breaks a week, and then after a year of intentionally breaking peoples cars, we would win a trip to Hawaii.

Nothing more satisfying than taking out a heater in 5 degree weather. Us techs would laugh about that for hours during our lunch hours.

there's also nothing more satisfying than when the WI DOT and the Attorney General's office now have an open claim against this dealership now.

i'll also be laughing during my lunch when the dealership has no justified reason to tell the DOT about why they did what they did. they could even lose their license.

also, the recall on my malibu for "unwanted abs activation". That recall SPECIFICALLY states that an HVAC lockup can occur after reprogramming the ABS. They should have known this and made sure the heater and a/c worked after programming.

now that's what i call funny wnagel.......

 

[wnagel]

I'm sure you must realize the weekly complaints that dealerships get. Yes, many complain to the attorney general, BBB, TV, Radio, and newspapers. Yes, lots of Dealers going out of business and losing their licenses because of all the complaints (NOT). I'm sure they will take your complaint very seriously (NOT). I'm sure they will now offer you much better service and repair you car to beyond your expectations (NOT). I'm sure you will feel very safe and secure after getting your vehicle repaired in the future at this dealership?

My only suggestion would be to find another dealership far away to take your vehicle to. Hopefully you have another Chevrolet dealership in your town. You have obviously ruined your relationship at this one, even if your complaint is justified or not.

 

[dp2004]

I'm sure you must realize the weekly complaints that dealerships get. Yes, many complain to the attorney general, BBB, TV, Radio, and newspapers. Yes, lots of Dealers going out of business and losing their licenses because of all the complaints (NOT). I'm sure they will take your complaint very seriously (NOT). I'm sure they will now offer you much better service and repair you car to beyond your expectations (NOT). I'm sure you will feel very safe and secure after getting your vehicle repaired in the future at this dealership?

My only suggestion would be to find another dealership far away to take your vehicle to. Hopefully you have another Chevrolet dealership in your town. You have obviously ruined your relationship at this one, even if your complaint is justified or not.

wnagel, since your so smart read this info i got from a gm tech.

i just called chevy and they are going to find out why this dealer didn't check to see why the heat wasn't working and also why they gave me my car back in that condition.


From the ABS recall bulletin...

Important: During the service reprogramming in the next step, DTC U2127 may be set in the body control module (BCM) and P1626 in the powertrain control module (PCM). These codes must be cleared immediately following the reprogramming. In addition, the IBCM 1 (30 amp) fuse located in the underhood electrical center must be removed for 10 seconds and then reinstalled. Failure to remove and reinstall this fuse will result in the HVAC system not functioning.

 

[tabathadolley]

not only did they tell my i had a red flag next to my name from chevrolet but they didn't even put down on my repair order that i came in for a "highway driving" concern. we all know why they avoided putting down "highway driving pulling/leading to the left" because theres an open tsb that fixes that problem.

When did they tell you had a red flag next to your name?

instead they put down i came in for the exact problem as i did before which was the car pulling to the left when accelerating from a red light.

It was probably in their system that way... is it really a big deal? Either way isn't just your alignment?

then as im driving out of the lot i noticed i have no heat. there's no light on my heat display to show the temp or anything! the dealership did something to my car intentionally to turn off the heat in my car.

How do know it was intentional?

i live in WI and today it was 5 degrees. I drove back and then they told me to leave and that chevy told them not to touch my car for the steering problem.

Why would Chevy tell them that?

i told them that's fine, but they have to fix the heater that they intentionally broke. they told me to leave or they will call the police. my mailbu has 8,000 miles on it and never had a heating problem where you couldn't even turn on your heat in your car. chevy corp. is obviously playing games with me and now they intentionally disconnected my heater.

Again, why do you feel that they did it intentionally? Did you assume this, or was there a specific reason they would go out of their way to lose your business?

 

[dp2004]

When did they tell you had a red flag next to your name?



It was probably in their system that way... is it really a big deal? Either way isn't just your alignment?



How do know it was intentional?



Why would Chevy tell them that?



Again, why do you feel that they did it intentionally? Did you assume this, or was there a specific reason they would go out of their way to lose your business?

well lets see,

the 1st time my dealer forgot to reprogram the electric steering column.
the 2nd time at a different dealership they worked on a recall for unwanted abs activation. when you do this and dont do the bulletin right it turns off your a/c or heater. so then you have to unplug the hvac fuse for 10 seconds and plug it back in. instead i was given my car back and was told to leave without heat......


why? maybe because im on the gm black list, i have an open bbb arbitration case and an open wi dot case against gm.

makes sense to me why the word "intentional" is brought up in both scenarios.

 

[dp2004]

I'm sure you must realize the weekly complaints that dealerships get. Yes, many complain to the attorney general, BBB, TV, Radio, and newspapers. Yes, lots of Dealers going out of business and losing their licenses because of all the complaints (NOT). I'm sure they will take your complaint very seriously (NOT). I'm sure they will now offer you much better service and repair you car to beyond your expectations (NOT). I'm sure you will feel very safe and secure after getting your vehicle repaired in the future at this dealership?

My only suggestion would be to find another dealership far away to take your vehicle to. Hopefully you have another Chevrolet dealership in your town. You have obviously ruined your relationship at this one, even if your complaint is justified or not.

wnagel, all of sudden you are quiet. doesn't it suck when im right and your wrong bigshot?

 

[tabathadolley]

the 1st time my dealer forgot to reprogram the electric steering column.

mechanics are the problem, did they fix it and apologize for their error?

the 2nd time at a different dealership they worked on a recall for unwanted abs activation. when you do this and dont do the bulletin right it turns off your a/c or heater. so then you have to unplug the hvac fuse for 10 seconds and plug it back in.

So, you have a problem with two different dealerships? You do realize they are most likely each other's competition.

instead i was given my car back and was told to leave without heat......

Explain further. What exactly happened on both sides of the story?

why? maybe because im on the gm black list, i have an open bbb arbitration case and an open wi dot case against gm.

makes sense to me why the word "intentional" is brought up in both scenarios

.

There's just not enough info to say it was intentional, especially if it happened at two different dealerships. People usually think they are affiliated with each other, but usually dealerships aren't.

 

[wnagel]

wnagel, all of sudden you are quiet. doesn't it suck when im right and your wrong bigshot?

Sorry, having worked in dealerships my entire life, I've learned how to deal with irrate customers, whether justified or not. The people at dealerships are humans and have feelings and do their best to try and fix these ever increasing complicated cars. When someone comes in with an attitude like we deliberately did something, we take it personal and won't do anything to assist. Discussing this further only adds fuel to the fire. Good luck is about all that is left to say.

 

[tabathadolley]

wnagel - I agree. I worked at a dealership for two years, and it had just about the best reputation in the city. But, some people have a perception that all car dealerships are out to get them, and bring that attitude with them. They want and need your business to survive - so why would they do something to purposely lose you?

dp2004 - I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt - there are a few pretty shady dealerships out there. But the fact it happened at two dealerships really can't be ignored. I have never heard of a "blacklist".. it just sounds paranoid to me.

Please tell the full story, both sides - not just bits and pieces.