Complain about a product or service

Poway Dodge

Poway, CA

Marlena of San Diego CA (09/11/03)
I took my vehicle to them for 30,000 mile service in February of 2003. The vehicle was in excellent operating condition prior to the service, however, the dealership caused multiple damages and malfunctions to my vehicle. I repeatedly tried to get them to correct these, but each time I took my vehicle to them, they would cause something else to go wrong with it. I finally gave up from frustration and lack of time to deal with them and at this point, I am still left with some of the problems that they caused.

Brakes did not function correctly after service causing me potential harm. 20% or more reduction in gas mileage. Damage to vehicle suspension/shock absorption system on rear left side. Vehicle shaking during heavy braking.

Jerome of San Diego, CA, writes:

On May 9, 2001 at 7:00 am, I took my 1998 Dodge Durango in to Poway Dodge for service. I received a call around 3:30 pm stating that they were trying to trouble shoot the ABS system and they were running out of day light. They asked if I leave my car overnight. I said yes and they provided a rental car. The next day at 1:35 pm I called Dave, the person who was in charge of the work on my auto, and asked him if he could also test drive my auto because I could hear a grinding sound at 30 mph. Dave stated that he would have someone to test drive it and call me back so that I could come and pick up my car. Dave returned my call and stated that the vehicle had been test driven and they heard nothing, and that I needed to order a part for my ABS system to stop the light from coming on intermittently. I ordered the part and paid the rest of my bill, and was told that the part would be in around the 14th of May and Dave stated that it would be all right to drive and that he would call when the part arrived. An employee went to get my auto and as he was bringing it to me another customer noticed that my tire on the drivers side was almost flat. Dave said he would put some air in it but he could not find a connector to fill the tire so he sent another employee to take the auto to the gas station and put some air in the tire. I gave the person $9.00 to put some gas in it because it was low when I brought the car in.

The next day I called Dave and asked him if my auto was test driven for the grinding sound at 30 mph. He stated that yes, it was, and that he thought it was only tire noise. Then I asked him if the person who test drove my car drove it with the tire almost flat. He said no, that children from school sometimes come behind the shop and let the air out of the tires. I informed Dave that when I left the shop a few days previous, I could hear the grinding sound he stated that when my part came in he would have someone ride with me. I never heard from Dave and the light problem didn't go away either. I received a call from an employee of Poway Dodge asking how I liked my service. After explaining to her the trouble I was having, she said she would pass the information on. After waiting another couple of weeks I called the manger, Chuck Kemp, on May 18, 2001. I explained my troubles to Mr. Kemp and the fact that I felt uncomfortable about my service and that I was not sure the I received all that I had paid for. Mr. Kemp asked me to hold on and when he came back on the line he stated that my part was there and that I would receive a notice or a call to bring my auto in on the 29th of May so the part which I ordered could be installed. Last night the check engine light came on and that is what prompted this letter.

My wife and I feel that we have been taken; we invested in a service, but don't believe that we have been treated fair with all the waiting and false statments and promises. Now instead of just having the ABS light on (that wasn't enough, right?), I also have a check engine light on after my auto has been serviced. We also had family members come to visit and had to use the Durango to drive to and from the airport which was very uncomfortable to us all.

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