Subaru Of Sherman Oaks Casa De Cadillac Automotive Group Charged For Misdiagnosis On Vehicle; Problem Not Fixed, Then Charged Again To Fix 2nd Diagnosis Van Nuys, California
I see that there has all ready been one complaint made on this specific business. Let me confirm that when you bring your car in for a supposed diagnosis of a specific issue, you will receive a bill with a cascade of other items that need to be addressed, Most of them I chose to ignore because I had many of the belts and hoses recently replaced. But to get back to the issue at hand: I took my car there because the engine was very rough during start up. They supposedly made a full diagnosis of my vehicle and stated it was the spark plug wires which I payed to have replaced. This did not solve the issue and I returned to dealership with issue still appearing.
Upon doing my own investigation online., I find out that the symptoms my car was exhibiting were the early signs of a failing headgasket; something that their so-called 28 years of experience factory trained Subaru mechanic failed to diagnose the first time around. He himself stated to me that this is a common problem of older Subarus that he was well aware of. Yet, he didn't have the where with all to associate these symptoms with that common problem? I would think that would be the first thing I would look for if I were this mechanic given the age and mileage of my vehicle. So I needlessly spent almost $88.00 on new spark plug wires and $113.00 on needless labour. So after the third time, my car starts to overheat and is not driveable, becasue the head gaskets were failing. It took three (count them 3) visits to finally diagnose the issue correctly. I would think an expereinced Subie mechanic that has worked on older models would have been all the wiser and not wasted my time and money.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
I certainly do NOT work for a dealership...
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, November 16, 2010
..personally I think they are the biggest ripoffs around. Not all of them mind you..but too many. People trust them..and then get ripped off.
So...are you Sherman Oaks California? If so..we are neighbors..I am in North Hollywood.
I think you took my last reply the wrong way. I absolutely encourage people to learn how to diagnose their vehicles..and even do their own repairs. No better way to prevent getting ripped off. But I do not condone trusting a website when I read some of the posts and they are laughable.
As I stated, you can and should use the internet as a guide..but you still need to know what you are doing before you mess with your vehicle. I find so many bad suggestions online..and it concerns me.
The internet is not always the best place to get an "education" for servicing your car..but you are on the right track. The code reader will save you from paying a dealership to do this..a 2 second procedure and they charge a crazy amount. Some autoparts store will do this as a courtesy (well they want to sell the parts), but you need to be careful. The code reader can lead you to the right place, but you still need some hands on knowledge of mechanics and electrical systems to verify.
For example a code my read a bad component, but it could be the sensor..or the wiring to the sensor..do you know how to verify that? But at least with the reader and software..it may be able to determine what is a fair price to pay for further diagnosis and repair...I am ALL for that..trust me.
Oh..I think you were ripped off (sorry), the "system" I use..is like 30 bucks..had it forever and it never failed. I do have more expensive scopes..but it is a dust collector..my little trusty hand held reader can read ANY OBDII code the same as a much more expensive one. I also have access to all the Mitchell books (what the dealers use)...these are expensive but I am fortunate that my connections in the biz will fax me anything I need in a few minutes.
I sincerely hope customers wise up. Not everyone can or is willing to or has the time to do this themselves...but at the very least..if a shop seems too high..or like they are finding too much wrong..go for a 2nd, 3rd and if need be 4th opinion.
Best of luck!
Disgusted&Broke
Sherman Oaks,California,
United States of America
I Have My Own Diagnostic Kit
#5Author of original report
Mon, November 15, 2010
To RonnieG. Now I'm going to guess you work for the dealership. Well, I've got news for you: there's nothing wrong with being an educated consumer. I just purchased my own computer diagnostic kit that will run codes on your vehicle and has software where you can check what the codes mean online as well as ballpark figures on what a suggested repair for the code will cost in your zipcode area. I figured it was worth it for me since I have an older vehicle with high mileage on it, and other parts and systems will eventually fail. So, if a consumer goes to the mechanic with that information all ready at hand it takes alot of haggling and possible deceipt and guesswork out of the car problem. If you're not aware of the system I am referring to, check out www.carMD.com Guaranteed to be just as accurate as your system worth thousands in your shop. And the whole system cost me $80.00 online. The era of the poorly educated naive consumer is coming to a close with the advent of readily available data technology. I suggest that all car dealerships and small shops that have routinely ripped off consumers in the past to reconsider your practices, because the days of customer ignorance are coming to a close.
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
PLEASE..do NOT depend on a website to diagnose or suggest service intervals..
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, November 15, 2010
..for example..this is what I found on the link that is sugested on the update...
Electrical & Lights --
RepairPal Verified
The turn signal switch may fail causing the turn signals to stop working.
Imagine that???? If the turn signal fails it will cause the signal not to work??? BRILLIANT!!!
Look people...if you do not have the ability do diagnose problems with your vehicle..ask around to your friends, family and neighbors for a good honest ethical mechanic who will not rip you off.
Granted, there is nothing wrong with doing a quick internet search to see if your problem has been addressed before..but diagnosis is NOT what you want to depend on the internet for. Would you trust it if you had chest pains???
I could imagine the results...
Chest pain "may" mean there is a pain in your chest....
Disgusted&Broke
Sherman Oaks,California,
United States of America
Update To Complaint Dated 11/8/2010
#5Author of original report
Fri, November 12, 2010
Eventually all the issues that my car was experiencing were finally addressed by Subaru Sherman Oaks Service Dept. and taken care of at no additional cost than what was previously agreed upon in writing. And I would recommend to people to please visit and use the site www.repairpal.com as a resource to better inform yourself regarding ballpark figures for auto repairs in your area. It will also give info on the symptoms of the mechanical issue , what services the repair would include and even suggestions for mechanics in your area if need be to do the repair. Forewarned is forearmed.