05 dodge durango wipers quit AFTER recall work done...?

Question

I need some SERIOUS help here !!!
I bought an 05 durango in Sept. of 06. They had a huge recall on the wipers in March. I had the vehicle serviced for this recall in April. The wipers jammed up in June. They will not work at all now !!! I took it back to the dealership and they said that they didn't mess with the "transmission" in the wipers, just the motor. So they want to charge us $500 to fix it. We've done some research with that dealership, other dealerships, the customer service center for Dodge and online and there is no such thing as a transmission for the wipers. They are saying that's what they call all the wires and such attached to the motor. If they had to replace the motor in the wipers, then doesn't that mean that they had to touch the wires attached to the motor, which in turn makes them responsible for the problem ??? I don't know what to do now... we didn't even have a problem to begin with and since we were being cautious, now we have to pay for it....please help

On behalf of one of the answers.... the problem showed up the FIRST time I used the wipers !!!! It wasn't nine months later. I was going out of town, it began to pour and I was on the interstate going 70 mph.

I understand that CSR's don't have the depth of knowledge, however, we spoke to a couple of mechanics and they all said the same thing. They didn't know what the transmission was.. just that it was the wires attached to the motor. After a little more research online I have found that this "transmission" is actually the link between the motor and the blades. Thanks for all the answers so far... I've been trying to contact the dealership again, but they won't call me back. You gotta love them !!!!

Answer 1

1.) Yes there is such a thing as a transmission in the wipers. The transmission is what the linkage is called. Basically it is all of the mechanical parts that move the wipers. 2.) Are they liable? No. If the dealer had damaged something it would have shown immediately, not 9 months later. Proving otherwise will be impossible. 3.) Don't take a customer service reps knowledge of a parts name. Customer service reps have NO mechanical knowledge, other then having some home mechanic skills. Remember, if they were qualified to answer the question correctly, they would be making $25/hour as a mechanic, and not $6.50/hour answering phones. They are usually outsourced individuals that are not even employed by Dodge. (I once worked for FORD customer service)

$500.00 may be a bit high though. I would check with a local garage, not the dealership. Dealers generally have a much higher rate/hour for labor. Also, a independent garage can try and find the parts used, and save you a ton of cash that way. As long as the parts are mechanical and not electrical that is. I would never buy an electrical part from a junk yard.

I know that this doesn't help your wallet out, but I hope it answered your question.

In response to the added info. First, I manage a garage, I am not a service writer. I have been a State Certified Master Mechanic for nearly 20 years. Second, in your original question you stated that the wipers locked in June, which was a few months after the dealer worked on it. That is why I said what I said. I hate to say it again, but the dealer wont help you. I have been down this road before with customers at my shop, and Dodge has proven to be one of the worst when it comes to these issues. All you can really do is call Dodge customer service, and hope you can make them see that in order to keep you as a customer, they need to fix the problem. Also, try to contact the Service Manager directly, and place a call to your salesperson. A salesperson can actually help you in these situations. Ultimatley they want you to buy another car from them. If that doesn't work, attempt to contact the "Dealer Principle" or owner.

Answer 2

I'm sure that you have a number in the owners manual that gives you the customer service number for Dodge. Call that 1-800 number and talk to them. You can also go to the dealership and ask to speak to the regional service rep and try to get some satisfaction out of them. good luck

Answer 3

It seems to me that if they did the recall work. The main company or factory has to pay them. I"d write the company. Pretty sure they will get this straight, or take their license. Try better buisness Bureau....Good Luck

Answer 4

you need to take it back to them they are responsible for this problem,they had to disconnect the wires to get to the part they was going to replace,you shouldn't have to pay for this,if you know a smaller shop or someone that does repair work you can have them check it out,this shouldn't have happened to it,good luck on it.