I am not usually the type to leave reviews, good or bad. For the sake of others and in an effort to help prevent this from happening again, I feel like I need to share my story not only with everyone else that this could happen to in the future.
I need to first say that I have been working in the automotive business with specificity to the service department since I was 18 years old (which makes 20+ years). I imparted this information on Joe in the service department to preface our interaction.
I also feel the need to say that this experience does not and has not affected my opinion of the sales and finance departments, both of which I had an excellent experience with when I purchased my Jeep 3 years ago (almost to the day) from Madison Chrysler.
With that in mind, I was having a mechanical issue with my Jeep pertaining to the 4WD System. Having already done my own research and due diligence on the issue and gotten the opinion of other professional colleagues, I was confident that I needed to have the transfer case module replaced. Upon scanning and diagnosing the issue, they reached out to Madison Chrysler and got prices on the part, and cost for necessary re-flashing and programming of the module.
Armed with this information, I figured it would be easier if I took it to Madison Chrysler myself for the repair, even though the organization had gone through some major changes in personnel since then. I did so, with a hopeful and positive attitude. I explained everything to Joe in extensive detail on the phone that I had researched and found out up to date, and brought it in for what I was anticipating to be an easy fix, and a pleasant experience.
That is NOT AT ALL what happened. ENTIRELY the opposite.
After spending an hour and a half in the lounge waiting for a verdict, I was in TOTAL shock when I was told that not only did the module need to be replaced, but after listening to it with a stethoscope running on a lift, the transfer case was imminently on the verge of self-destruct and also needed to be replaced, along with the driveshaft to the tune of nearly $5,000.
I was advised it was NOT safe to drive for very much longer and was also advised that it was likely not worth fixing because of the mileage and unknown other issues that were likely to come up in the future.
Obviously this news is devastating to me! I left the dealership upset, confused, and terrified to even drive my vehicle back home.
I started making arrangements expecting to have to replace my vehicle, and also made arrangements to get a second opinion since I had never dealt with Joe or any of the new technicians there before. Certainly warranted for a diagnosis so severe, especially since I am a single mother. I didn't want to have to get a new car if it wasn't totally necessary.
Fortunately, due to my extensive work history in the automotive field, I happen to know a Master Chrysler technician who I not only can trust, but also worked for/with for nearly 10 years. I explained the situation, and he drove the vehicle and looked at it. Once he looked at everything, he assured me that my vehicle was not only perfectly safe to drive, but there was no noise or any other indication to him that my transfer case or driveshaft were compromised in ANY WAY. He simply confirmed that the module would likely need to be replaced and then re-programmed after replacement.
After he replaced the module, I happily called AAA and had them tow it to a different Chrysler/Jeep dealer in my area for re-flashing and programming. Not only were they happy to assist me on my terms (having explained the entire situation in great detail after my terrible experience with Joe), but he came to me minutes after I arrived with the vehicle to inform me that this particular module did not require any kind of flashing or programming for it to be safely drivable after replacement. He assured me there were no codes stored or problems found, and sent me on my way, FREE OF CHARGE.
What the service department did to me was CRIMINAL and DISGRACEFUL. It takes either a lot of guts or a complete and utter lack of empathy and total disregard for any other human being to be willing to BOLD-FACED LIE to people to squeeze any kind of money out of them that they can. This job should be about integrity and trust, and excellence and focus in honest and dependable customer service. I saw NONE of that, and it's experiences LIKE THIS that give dealerships a terrible name with people that ARE LEARY ABOUT TRUSTING THEM. THEY HAVE GOOD REASON TO BE WARY!!
Not only was it a waste of my time, but also the MONEY I PAID THEM FOR THAT RIDICULOUS "DIAGNOSIS," AND I called AAA for nothing.
It was sneaky, under-handed, disgraceful, and if this is how you choose to conduct business now, not only will I never be back, but I will go out of my way to make sure that Madison Chrysler NEVER SEES A DIME FROM ME OR ANYONE I CAN REACH WITH MY STORY EVER AGAIN!!! read more