Complaint Review: Daimler Chrysler Corporation

I purchased a brand new Jeep Liberty in July, 2004. In mid-March 2008, my left rear window fell down into the door. I contacted the dealership I bought it from and they advised me it would cost approximately $300.00 to repair. I asked around and was told to try a body shop. I took my vehicle to a body shop and they replaced the R & I Assembly for approximately $181.00.

In mid-August 2008, my right rear passenger window fell down into the door which I duct-taped clear plastic to it because I was going camping the next day. Approximately two weeks later, the front passenger window fell down into the door.

I contacted Chrysler and they advised they would open a claim but I had to take the vehicle to the local dealership to issue a diagnosis ticket and have them send the report to Chrysler.

I contacted local dealership and they advised the Diagnostic Fee was $110 but they would do the diagnostic test for $49.00. Bob at the Service Department told me "the only reason Chrysler wanted a diagnostic ticket was so they could check your service record with them and if you don't have one, they probably would not pay anything." Bob said I had "no service record with them other than one service call" (which actually was a Safety Recall for power ball joints).

Bob said I "should have gotten an extended warranty." I said "if Jeep is making defective windows, they should recall them or pay for their windows." He said "they are not Chrysler's windows, they are your windows--you are the owner." He again said I "should have gotten an extended warranty." Bob said "Chrysler would be more likely to give you some rebate if you had the windows fixed at the dealership." I told him "this is not a rare experience, the same thing happened to my brother-in-law." I said "if it happened to me three times, I know there must be other people out there with the same problem." He said "it happens to a lot of cars, Ford Explorers," etc. I said "I don't believe that, I had a Ford Explorer."

I tried calling Chrysler again but was on hold too long and I was at work, so I had to hang up.

Well now the weather has changed, and I'm tired of getting windblown every day. It was so cold last week, I got plurisy in my shoulder driving to work. I live from paycheck to paycheck like most people and I don't have money to throw away on defective windows. Talk about "throwing money out the window!"

So now I have the option of having the windows fixed at the dealership for $600 + $49 (diagnostic fee) for a total of $649.00 and "maybe" getting a rebate, or taking the Jeep to the body shop and have them do both windows for $362.00.

I opted for the body shop. If I end up paying this out-of-pocket, I don't want to pay $649. I am having the windows done tomorrow. I plan to submit my bills to Chrysler for reimbursement for repairing three (3) windows that went down in a 5-month period. I will update this posting as this matter proceeds.

Connie
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.