I sought reimbursement of repair costs I incurred as a result of a mechanical problem that resulted from errors or omissions in the Hogan service department. I was leasing a 2003 Chevrolet Venture mini-van from the dealership and while the van was being driven on May 1, 2007 in Waterloo, the engine stopped and would not come out of 'drive.' It was fortunate that this occurred off the highway as there would have been much more of a potential for a catastrophic accident had the engine failure occurred at high speed.
I had the van towed to the nearest chev dealership (Schlueter) in Waterloo and the problem was investigated and, twenty-four hours later, repaired. The service advisor there found that some of the wires at circuit 1020 (near the PCM harness) had been sheared apart by the normal movement of a belt. The service advisor suggested that whoever had last worked on the car had not ensured that the harness was sufficiently secured away from this potential hazard.
It was my opinion that, since all service work had, prior to the trip to Schlueter's, been performed at Hogan's service department the obligation to ensure this type of failure would not occur rested with that service department. (I have the complete service record of the vehicle, inclusive of all receipts.)
Therefore I asked for reimbursement of the service costs incurred, $376.88. I did not seek reimbursement of towing costs, ancillary costs for overnight accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses, nor general damages. I attached the original invoice for the repair as well as digital pictures of the harness wires prior to the repair.
Hogan's response (which came almost a month later, after repeated emails) was that "only basic maintenance had been performed and that there had not been any repairs to the wiring harness." A big surprise as I never said there was actual work on the harness - just that a fellow Chev service department suggested that whoever had worked on the car HADN'T secured the harness.
Chev would not take any responsibility for the damage and subsequent repair. No responsibility was assumed by GMC either, when I took it (higher) to their consumers relations folk although they did offer a coupon for an oil change in an attempt to placate me.
Since no other mechanic ever went under the hood of this vehicle except those from Chevrolet the service department should assume some level of responsibility - if only to prevent a similar event, or at worse, a tragedy. One way or another service personnel, or shoddy workmanship in the first place caused the wiring harness to meet a moving belt.
Frank
Seeleys Bay, Ontario
Canada
0 comments