Car Promises made at lease signing, not held up.. can I do anything?

Question

I just leased a 2008 Chrysler Aspen. When I orig. went into the dealership last week I told the salesman I needed a hitch and that was one of my only requirements. I test drove the Aspen and loved it (It is a full size SUV in case those don't know). The one they wanted to sell me didn't have a hitch and in negotiation the dealer called around to get a price that was just below 300 dollars. My husband than asked them to eat that cost and the sale would be done, they agreed. A week later, they installed the hitch/ BUT.. our assumption was that it would've been an OEM (Manuf.) hitch. I picked it up yesterday and in 24 hours where they installed the NON OEM hitch, the bumper is starting to bend and comform to the hitch thanks to the hot exhaust. I am not sure if I have any recource since I didn't have them put OEM in writing, I thought we were all on the same page and took the salesman at his word... SHAME ON ME... any suggestions, opinions or help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

i don't really blame you for not getting it in writing.  I hate car dealerships--I know if you would have asked for it in writing, they would make you feel stupid and embarrased.  They will be so nice to you, even when i bought my new car the salesman introduced me to the bodyshop people and they were all smiling and c**p and they shook my hands.....1 year later, I lemoned the car and it was one of the worst car buying experiences I had.  The WORST one was at another car dealership.  I just avoid them now.

What a load of c**p....They are actually obligated to fix your truck.  ESPECIALLY since they installed it and now its s******g up your truck.  If they refuse, that's a breach of contract with the warranty---because they have to fix all the c**p that they do wrong and if they refuse like they did to me, call a lemon law lawyer and he will sue the heck out of them at no cost to you.  They took my car back and paid off my loan for being a******s--that's what they get.  You can do the same.  Go and threaten them with a law suit--sometimes you need to make waves yourself and show them that you are not going to take this kind of cheating and stealing and lying c**p from them.  Talk to the manager of the dealership and if that doesn't work---I think you know what to do now.

all the best...

Answer 2

Regardless of whether it's OEM or not the hitch was installed wrong and is causing damage to the vehicle and needs to be corrected.  This is 100% the responsibility of the dealer and the vendor who installed it.

Take it back tomorrow and demand that it be replaced with the correct hitch and any damage to the vehicle be repaired.