Vent: bad experience at a dealership
Me and my boyfriend Tyler recently purchased a used vehicle from Precision Hyundai (sept 8th, 2012) based on the quality and price it was being sold for. The AMVIC inspection was clean of any repairs or leaks that needed to be addressed. The day after having the vehicle, the "low oil" reminder light came on. I am a registered automotive apprentice and work for a family owned shop that is licensed to do AMVIC inspections as well. I took it upon myself to bring the vehicle into my work to have a look at the leak to see if the matter could be resolved easily. The vehicle had what appeared to be an oil pan leak but a shampoo needed to be done to verify due to the amount of oil everywhere. While in the shop a few other repairs that weren't marked on hyundai's report were very obvious, like a very loose tierod end, sticky key/ignition (new keys ordered by VIN and still had issues), leaking front shock and a damaged rear shock. Now keep in mind this was the saturday following us purchasing it (sept 15th). I didn't have time to do a full overall look due to time restrictions (shop is closed on Saturdays but the boss was in briefly so I had enough time to check out the leak). Tyler spoke with Rich at hyundai Monday (sept17th) on the phone and had it booked in on Oct 10 for a reinspection (oct 4th was the earliest spot they had available for us but Tyler was out of town till that weekend, so the 10th was the next opening they had). When dropping the truck off, he verbally mentioned the 4 obvious repairs and asked that a FULL inspection be done again to make sure nothing else was over looked. We decided to give them the benefit of doubt cuz obiously someone was just checking off boxes on their AMVIC sheet that day. When getting the vehicle back (on friday Oct 12), we did not receive a reinspection form, and only the repairs that Tyler verbally noted were looked at. We got a new key that seemed to have fixed the ignition issue, tierod and rear shock were also fixed. We received a repair receipt with a $0 balance owing, with nothing being done about the front shock leak or any mention of any leaks. I decided to take the vehicle into my work and perform a full overall inspection myself (on saturday Oct 13th).
Upon inspection, I found the following:
front rotors below discard (spec from Mitchell on demand)
rear u-joint has play
both lower balljoints have play (more than the 0.5mm allowed)
power steering and transmission lines leaking (and not just sweating, leaking)
possible oil pan leak (still required shampoo)
brake fluid measured at 4%+ water content
Leak in front shock and an occasional knock in the front end while turning
Wiperblades so streaky you can't see out of the windshield (one ripped and flappin around)
Also noted:
rear differential fluid very dirty (looked like it had never been serviced)
hard shift in transmission from 1st to 2nd gear
The following monday (oct 15) Tyler phoned Rich to let him know there is a list of items they missed on the second inspection. Rich then asked for a copy of the inspection I had done. That was sent over on October 16th immediately after I went back in to work to pay for my invoice and pick up a copy myself. No response from Rich when I emailed him a copy (had called hyundai and another service advisor gave me his email because I wasnt able to find it on their website)
Oct 22 I sent him a follow up email to check in with him since no reply was given to me. The following conversation happened with dates noted:
Oct 22: "Hi Rich, Just touching base with you about the 2007 Avalanche purchased by Tyler xxxxx. If you could call or email me or him to discuss the vehicles repairs that need to be done. (emails/#'s provided) Thanks"
Oct 22: "Hi Missy, Sorry for the delay getting back to you , I have been away sick for a few days & my GM has also been away on business , I am taking a copy of the inspections to him today and hopefully will get back to you today or tomorrow moring with the next step in getting your issues with the Avalanche resolved .. Thank you for your patience"
Oct 23rd&24th: no response
Oct 25: "Hi Rich, Still awaiting your response. I feel like this issue is not being dealt with in a timely manner. Please advise me when your next available time slot for repairs is, and the issue of the engine oil leak needs to be addressed as the low oil light has been on several times since purchased and should not be up to the customer to diagnose. I will need to speak to you about how long the vehicle will be in the shop as a rental may need to be arranged.Thank you"
Oct 25: "Hi Missy, I sent you a message last week , unfortunately the GM is out of town for the week , the earliest slot I have available to get in and diagnosis done is Nov 7th, let me know if this will work for you, As far as a Courtesy car, I do not have any available for that date.. if another date after that will work if you Require a Courtesy vehicle. ** i will not be able to get authorization for any repairs until the GM has given me the OK. so I will certainly have an answer for you by the time you are here for your appointment, Again I apologize for any inconvenience.. "
Oct 25: "Hey Rich,Yes I did receive your email last week stating a response that day or the following. Please advise me the next available date with a courtesy vehicle (SUV/crossover/4 door truck) that I may bring the avalanche in to have an AMVIC inspection redone stating any and all faults with the vehicle. Then we can discuss repair time or the option of your shop reclaiming the vehicle. Me and Tyler have discussed a few things and understand that the truck was priced fairly low, but for the thousands of dollars in repairs it needs, we wouldn't have bought it As Is. Reliability was our main concern, which is why we chose to purchase from an AMVIC licensed shop rather than privately. Thanks "
Oct 25: "Hi Again Missy, As stated in my previous e-mail, The earliest date I have available is Nov , If a loaner is required for the diag the available date is Nov 8. , As far as a loaner goes, I do not have any SUV/crossover/4door trucks available, The Courtesy vehicles we supply are small 4 door cars, ** Courtesy cars are limited so if you could get back to me ASAP it would be appreciated as the appointments with them fill up fast.. A full re-inspection will be done when the vehicle is brought in.. Who was the technician who looked at this vehicle ? According to your Invoice from LADS AUTO, the technician name is yours.... and why did these items on this Invoice not get noticed on the other inspection you had done after you purchased the vehicle when the tie-rod & rear air shock were noticed? Awaiting your reply "
Oct 25: "Hi Rich, I'm the technician that noted those issues. And the first inspection wasn't an inspection. It was an oil change/look at why the low oil light keeps coming on, those were "visual/happened to have noticed" issues. It was brought back to you so that you could reinspect it, but when repairs were done minus any notes on leaks, it was Apparent only issue mentioned were fixed. I am not licensed to do AMVIC inspections which is why the invoice does not state it as one. I have a 2+ month old and a 160 pound dog, I need a vehicle large enough to haul them around. November 8th works fine. Lmk"
Oct 25: "Hi Missy, will book for Nov 8 , and as I mentioned, the only veh I have available is 2013 Hyundai elantra GT for our Service Loaners , I will book for Nov 8, let me know if anything chagnes"
Oct 25: "Hi Rich, Thank you, see you nov 8th."
Then 10 days later I got the following:
Nov 5: "Hi Missy , Rich from Precision Hyundai here, I have spoken with the GM regarding your upcoming appointment for the Avalanche. At this point we are not willing to re-do an AMVIC inspection on a vehicle that you now have had in your possession for over 2 months now. This is a USED vehicle with 150,XXX km @ purchase and had mentioned leaks that you were aware of PRE-PURCHASE. All of the items that you have mentioned in your own inspection @ "your shop", were not present in the prior inspection that your mechanic did when you found the shock and tie-rod issue, and 2. Had passed on our inspection in Feb, 2011.. At this time we see no reason to bring your Avalanche in on Nov 8th, unless you are wanting us to diagnose and repair at your expense."
Currently an estimate is being done to assess all the repairs needed and so far, retail, it is up in the thousands!! Hyundai is not willing to do any repairs despite the fact that we gave them a second and third chance to reinspect it, they fixed the bare minimum and handed it back to us hoping that would be the end of it. Shame on you Hyundai!
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Originally Posted by DonJuan
