Ask Our Auto Mechanics

I agree with you, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. You can find a current list of them on the 'your service schedule' link on this site.

0/0 users found this helpful.

Given that, is there an appropriate way to follow this up with a consumer agency that would take an interest in this and perhaps take some sort of action for the sake of the community? This strikes me as a terrible thing for our community that our dealership engages in this sort of practice. I caught it- a little too late- but I'm sure there are others who don't and wouldn't, and they should not be taken advantage of like this. How would you proceed?

0/0 users found this helpful.

You may not find too many agencies that would actually take action, but there are some outlets where you can post information so others can find it, sort of the social media guerilla warfare that is gaining traction these days.

You can attempt to contact the Jeep/Chrysler corporate office and air your grievance. I suggest requesting some compensation due for the abuse of customer trust. Chances are slim you would get much of a response--many other customers experience much more damaging and costly gouging than you.

The most effective means is to post your experience and opinions in the online forums where people go to read reviews of local shops. yelp.com, cartalk.com and google reviews are good examples. You can leave a consumer complaint with the Better Business Bureau. None of these will result in any agency taking any action, but it will get the message out to any consumer paying attention.

You can also contact your state's Attorney General's office. Sometimes you they will contact a business in your name and offer mediation services--again, if you feel that you are due some compensation. There is no legal backing to this, but it can be intimidating for a business manager to be contacted by the state, and they sometimes will agree to the mediation.

0/0 users found this helpful.