| Bottom of Page | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: A long, sad wheel story |
ken736cc   POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Bay Shore, NY , USA |
posted 04-08-2004 06:56 PM
    
I was going to wait until this was resolved to post, but it appears as if it will go on forever. I purchased my 2001 Kat new from Babylon Plymouth/Honda in Dec. 2000. I paid slightly above sticker for the privilege of owning this car. After about 6 months of ownership, I noticed the dreaded peeling chrome wheel disease on not one, but all four wheels. I had been back to the dealer previously for other warranty issues and was always treated well. I thought this would be no big deal. The service writer and service manager inspected the car to verify my complaint. I was told that the dealership was on a "wheel restriction" from DC and that I could wait 8 weeks or go to another dealer. I have been a warranty administrator for both Honda and BMW motorcycle dealerships, and I never heard of any kind of restrictions being placed on ordering warranty parts. This is when I called DC customer (non) service. They called Babylon Plymouth to help resolve the situation. The service manager called me and said he would call again in about 2 weeks to arrange an appointment. I never heard from him again. The dealership lost or sold the Chrysler/Plymouth franchise, and had no intention of repairing my car. I again e-mailed DC customer (lack of) service, and they recommended Bayshore Chrysler. I met with Bob, the service manager, and he said that although they had replaced a few wheels before, he would need authorization from his district service rep. I got a call back from Bob to tell me that the request was denied by the district rep. The rep refused to examine the car or even talk to me. Another , e-mail to DC customer (dis) service. Their reply was that they would stand by the district rep. decision. Now I was telling the story of my shabby treatment to anyone who would listen. I told a salesperson that I deal with and he put me in touch with Jeff, the service manager at Valenti Chrysler in Mystic, CT. Jeff ordered 4 new wheels for me without any hesitation. Two weeks later I drove to Mystic (150 miles each way)to have the wheels installed. While installing the first wheel, the tech noticed that the new wheel was out-of-round and difficult to balance. He then inspected all the new wheels, and found the same problem. I drove home with my old, peeling wheels. During the next 6 months(allowing time for backorders) Jeff received, inspected and rejected 2 more sets of wheels. I drove to Mystic once again. The rear wheels were replaced, but the new fronts required excessive amounts of wheel weights to balance. I drove home with 2 old and 2 new wheels. I did not hear from Jeff for a while, but I knew front wheels were on backorder again. When I finally did call Valenti Chrysler, Jeff was gone and Mark was the new service manager. I explained the situation to Mark and he agreed to look into resolving the front wheel problem. I never got a return phone call from Mark and he did not return my calls. When I finally got through to a real person and not Mark's voice mail, I discovered Mark was gone and Pete was the new service manager. I now told this tale to Pete, including the fact that the 3 year warranty had expired and that I have been trying for 2 1/2 years to get this problem solved. Pete remembered seeing the car there when he was a tech. He agreed to review all the files and repair orders and call me. He called back the same day with bad news. His records indicate that 4 new wheels were installed and paid by DC under warranty. He also stated that since the peeling was on the inside of the wheels, it would probably not be covered anyway. I now looks like I will have to buy new front wheels when I can no longer stand the ugliness of the front wheels. This is the only thing that has sucked some of the joy out of prowler ownership. If anyone at D/C reads these posts, I would like you to know that my wife now has a new Thunderbird, instead of a Crossfire and my daughter just purchased a Scion XB instead of a PT Cruiser. You have lost a customer because of your own petty policies. Your district rep. mishandled this problem, which could have been solved 2 years ago. Sorry for the long post, I thank you if you took the time to read it. |
|
01BLUE Prowler Enthusiast From:CT |
posted 04-08-2004 07:08 PM
I am going thru the exact same thing now reps denied and I am waiting for a call on a meeting with him , My warranty has also expired and I was told that it is on file and to sit tight , the dealers across the US seem to make rules up as they go since 50% of us are denied this repair and the other 50% seem to have no problem I will let you know how I make out , I top am in CONNECTICUT |
GRROWL    POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Herndon, VA |
posted 04-08-2004 07:33 PM
quote: Don't hold your breath - if anyone did, I think I would have had an answer to the below post from a year-and-a-half ago. GRROWL is almost 4 years old and Chrysler is incapable of supplying me with a simple piece of paper - my complete extended warranty that there is no question is paid for. quote: |
ed monahan               POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 04-08-2004 08:07 PM
I bought the Candy cat used a couple of months ago. I paid $ 150 to get the extended warranty transferred to my name. The good news is that the new policy and ID card arrived today. The bad news is that my new name starts with an S. It is S D Monahan. It was mailed to my old address but had my new zip code. I have no idea how it wound up here with that combination but thank God the Post Office does better than the warranty service company. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to resolve this problem. I have no idea how they got my old address unless they had my name in a database from my '99 cat. I lived at that address at that time. Maybe they typed in the old address and then looked at the screen again and saw Cincinnati and the zip 45231 instead of 45205. Who knows. |
tangled up in BLUE POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:New Castle, Ind |
posted 04-09-2004 02:36 AM
I ran into a similar situation on some Prowler parts a couple of years ago, but they finally got everything in, no problem......my local dealer ws on parts restriction for installing too many expensive warranty parts on customers cars.....there were problems with the exhaust pods on early Vipers, they rotted from the inside due to a metal to metal contact that caused a chemical reaction resulting in corrosion like rust spots.....after replacing several of these items on local Vipers(mine included)and shipping me several sets of wheels for Prowlers the dealer was on restriction for trying to take care of DCs mistakes ??? ...I finally got a good set of wheels(one rear was out of round so bad it couldn't even be balanced they said).....DC never picked up any of the replacement parts so I still have all the extra parts from the various cars.....bottom line, American racing puts out a pretty poor product .....peeling wheels were not random, they were very widespread....I had them replaced on Prowlers that were never driven, wet, or dirty.....also had the same peeling problem with my wifes new Jeep....the chrome peeled off the wheels like chewing gum wrapers when it was a few weeks old.....replaced them and all has been fine with the new ones.... |
Chromer POA Site Supporter With Jack the Wonder Dog - Official POA Mascot Personal ScrapBook From:Denver, Colorado, USA |
posted 04-09-2004 07:11 AM
Hi Ken736cc, Sorry to hear of the ongoing and unresolved chrome wheel peeling on your Prowler. It certainly sounds like you've followed the "process" and done all the right things, and DC...well..they've done the opposite.
|
Black Tie 161 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:MD, USA |
posted 04-09-2004 11:49 AM
Wow.... I read every word slowly and carefully, as I am waiting for a new set of 4 wheels under warranty. I have my service manager on my side, and I have even met the local DC rep personally (by chance occurence...). I don't understand how a rep can deny you sight unseen. I also will be very wary of receiving out of round wheels from the experiences I read here. And from what I've read, American Racing puts out a good product, but was restricted by DC on how to manufacture the wheels for the Prowler. When it comes down to it, your best bet is to get a good set of aftermarket FORGED aluminum rims instead of the cheap cast aluminum rims made for the Prowler by A.R. The problem there is $$$ spent, and the other is that I LOVE the look of the stock Prowler wheels...so that's hard to top. Good luck! let us know how this turns out..... |
|
ken736cc POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Bay Shore, NY , USA |
posted 04-09-2004 11:54 AM
It is my understanding that is it illegal to withhold parts for a legitimate warranty repair. As far as the wheels go, I will bet DC will charge American racing for defective wheels. The cost to DC is minimal. |
Steven R. Gary POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Mendon, MI 49072 |
posted 04-12-2004 08:57 AM
I guess I'm one of the lucky one. The dealership has replaced all 4 wheel with no hassle at all, but yes one wheel was slightly out of round but balancing did fix it. Now I've taken the Kat in for the spring oil change and asked them to check on a oil leak after setting over winter. Tech said both front struts are leaking and my warrenty is ended as of Dec 17, 2003. I bought the Kat on 9/9/01. They have agreed to fix it under warrenty though and what happed was the dealership wanted more Prowlers so when they received the Prowler on Dec. 6, 2000 the marked it sold on Dec.17, 2000 which started the warrenty. So working on that problem but the Dealership has been so far wonderful to work with. Lets see on this one. |
|
obi-wan Prowler Junkie From:Los Altos, CA, USA |
posted 04-12-2004 03:57 PM
I have had 5 wheels warented with no hassles. But I inspected every wheel finding several to be bad out of the box. One time I got the wrong one in the box-rear instead of front(for the price of a front and the part no. of the front) At the time my warrantee was up I tried to turn in 2 more rims for warrantee and the factory rep would not honer them stating that I had allowed brake fluid to leak onto the rims which had caused the blistering that took place. This was overheard over the phone by me with the service writer on the phone. I laughed and told him ware he could put his brake fluid along with his warentee.This set off a search for an answer. As this is posting I'm having a front and rear rim polished after having them stripped of chrome. This process will take some time but the answer is that I'll have rime with the look of chrome(my polisher is that good) and after Zoop coating them I'll have rims that will NEVER have chrome problems again. I've also had them ck'ed for straightining and trued. This will cost more than I can say at this point but it will completely get rid of the problem. I'll post more when they are ready in a few weeks along with pic's. I hope I never run into the factory rep at the dealership 'cus if I do I'll NEED to tell him a few technical facts that he obviously is not aware of and I be sure everyone at the dealership hears me tell him these in no uncertain terms-So There ! Obi-Wan |
Possum9 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Cedar Lake, INDIANA USA |
posted 04-13-2004 05:46 AM
DITTO: same problem with 2500 miles, never seen rain/water back and forth with dealorships and Chrysler. Will NEVER purchase another Chrysler product again. Just purchased Chevrolet Blazer and waiting for new Mustang. Bottom line CUSTOMER SERVICE |
BeWare POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Acworth , Georgia , USA |
posted 04-13-2004 03:49 PM
quote: Possum9 , Do what you feel you have to do. I understand you are upset and probably have every right. But bottom line no matter what brand you buy, the possibility of poor customer service can and probably will occur. I had a 95 Cadillac and the transmission went out less than 2000 miles after the 50,000 mile warranty expired. Guess who paid for it. ME! I had an 86 Ford Thunderbird and the valve lifters went out at 65,000 miles. I had an 1989 Acura Legend. To maintain the Warranty , I had to have specific scheduled maintenance performed by the dealer every 7,500 miles. It cost me almost $1,000 a year for the scheduled maintenance. So regardless that the car was very reliable, it was expensive to maintain. Also they charged double for things such as head light bulbs etc. I also had BBS wheels on the Acura ,that they could not balance at the dealer, but every scheduled service they tried to bill me for wheel weights and labor. Makes me wonder what else they charged me for but never did. My neighbor had a BMW and his transmission went out while under warranty. BMW would not pay for it because he did not get his oil changed by the dealer. I don't know how one relates to the other. The transmission cost him $5,000. I am sure there are many more stories just like this. JMO |
Wayne Finch POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Toronto, Canada |
posted 04-13-2004 04:00 PM
quote: Looks like DC knew you bought the car for Sandy...can't wait to see her in the drivers seat!!! |
CJ POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Rochester Hills, MI USA |
posted 04-13-2004 08:13 PM
quote: It isn't a manufacturing issue with the wheel, it's a chroming issue. |
|
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 04-13-2004 08:18 PM
Wayne I got through today and they were going to change it to F from S. We are getting closer. lol |
|
CJ POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Rochester Hills, MI USA |
posted 04-13-2004 08:21 PM
Speak more clearly, Ed.....or was that Fred???  |
|
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 04-13-2004 08:57 PM
I guess it was Fredward since I said E as in Edward. It will be interesting to see how it looks in print. |
|
soliday Prowler Enthusiast From:Lisle, IL USA |
posted 04-13-2004 11:54 PM
I bought mine used without a warranty knowing that the wheels were already peeling. In fact I could see large sections of the copper base coat under the chrome on the inside of the rear tires. Using a blade I was able to peel most of the inside chrome off. And using some power tools I was able to sand/buff everything flat. Then covered the inside with aluminum engine enamel. Looks as good as new. |
|
indy96 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Toms River, NJ, 008753, USA |
posted 04-14-2004 07:44 PM
My read is that it's a dealer issue. My rear rims started to peel, I took it to the selling dealer Mauro motores in woodbridge, NJ. The Service people looked at them, agreed and ordered new wheels. One week later I had new, balanced wheels installed under warranty. They also took the time to remove and inspect the fronts under light to make sure the problem wasn't starting there. A good dealership cares for their customers and makes things right. I've never had a problem with a D/C vehicle that wasn't addressed promptly and fixed properly by Mauro. A local dealer (Sanford Chrysler) wouldn't change the oil in my wifes 300 when I broke my back and couldn't do it myself or drive the 50+ miles to Mauro because "I didn't buy it there" Guess what? I've bad mouthed them ever since. It's not D/C, it's the "grab the money and run" dealers! |
|
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 04-27-2004 11:34 PM
I received my new extended warranty cards yesterday with all the correct info. It took about two weeks and they corrected it all on the first phone call. Things are looking up. Now if I can just get my license plates from the state while I am still alive. |
All times are CT (US) Top of Page Previous Page |  Return to General Prowler Discussion next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | Prowler Online Homepage
All material contained herein, Copyright 2000 - 2012 ProwlerOnline.com
E-Innovations, LP
