Need ammo for combating dealers for recalls...

[cait sith]

Hey y'all, I've got a few of the recall problem areas that I need to get some sturdy footing to go against a dealer with to get this stuff done right, as well as not out of my poor pockets.

1) My transfer-case is leaking. Should be point blank "We'll do it", but the transfer case was checked in like, 1998/1999 when dumbass owner needed the tranny rebuilt. It's DEFINATELY leaking from the yoke, which was a recall area. They say they've already done it (They inspected it, that's it) and it's no longer applicable to my 1997. How do I get those bozos to bend to me? There are not a lot of Mitsubishi dealerships around me, and my next problem makes it a bit more distance critical.

2) I'm getting the familliar "cracking" noise on left/right turns and coming to a stop from the front end which reeks of ball joints. I'm pretty sure that the recall has been done, but aren't these covered for the life of the car? I'd rather not pay 240 for the pair to be replaced just to know that it's covered under warrenty.

Direct quotes, direct reccomendations would be appreciated. I'd do it myself, but I'd rather not if I can get Mitsubishi to do it for me.

 

[leet]

My transfer case has been done twice now. To get them to do it the second time, We had to call up like an area manager (I cannot remember the title, sorry) and he authorized the dealership to perform the recall again. Hope that helps, and good luck.

Cliff Notes: Talk to someone higher up.

 

[eclipsefwd]

I'd also like to know about the T-case. They said they already checked mine too but it leaks all over the place.

 

[cait sith]

I've been searching everywhere, and I know that the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Association) lists the Ball joint recall along with the transfer case recall.

I'm assuming that the ball joints are then required to be replaced as often as needed due to the saftey factor and poor design... Hmmm... Me thinks I be calling Mitsubishi tomorrow morning..

I'll post any more information that I can get from Mitsu tomorrow morning.

 

[leet]

Exactly, they are required by federal law to replace the defective product as many times as it takes to fix the problem.

 

[cait sith]

Update: I called Mitsubishi. I was transferred over to a case manager who gave me the same schpiel that the customer service manager said. They said that the NHTSA guarantee for the life of the car was wrong and that once they had done their job, that's all folks. They looked at it @ 29k miles and that's it.

They say this is all wear and tear related due to my car having 93k miles on it.

I say bullshit, because of what others have said, and that it's definately recall related area, although they offered a free "inspection" which I'm going to take advantage of and basically point out that the ball joints and transfer case yoke seal are shot, and should be replaced once more, free of charge.

I can't stand this red-tape B.S....

 

[Turbo98]

I'm a mechanic at a Saturn dealership and when we have something under a recall we will only do it once because when the car comes in we remove the defective part and install a new redesigned one. If this one goes bad over time it's not because of a defect, it's because of wear and tear.