Complain about a product or service

Fireside Dodge, Modesto, CA

Carolyn of Hughson CA (08/25/08)
I got my oil changed and asked about the price on service for my 2005 Hyundai transmission the gentalmen told me about 150.00-160.00 stated it was a very hard job to get the filter out and change the fluid. I returned about a couple of months later to get the oil changed they told me the transmission oil was looking a little dirty and needed changed it would cost around 300.00 i looked around but could not fine a list of service on transmissions or what was to be done for the amount of money. I always thought that a list of services and amount was to be posted up some where so the person knows the amout and what well be done. Is this legal?

Elizabeth of Daly City CA (12/05/07)
Fireside insurance claims keep stalling on sending an adjuster for the dodge neon. This has taken 2 years to get an adjuster to come out and reevaluate the car . I have sent their texas office an estimate in november of 2006 and have been on the phone constanly with Fireside. I was unable to pay the deductable @ the time the original estimate. I was in an accident 2 years ago & had Fireside insurance @ the time . Fireside sent an adjuster from their San Bruno,Ca. office . I never picked up the check . I was unable @ the time to pay the deductable, so at that time i didn't have the work done on the car .I've been in contact with different adjusters for Fireside since January of 2007. They have not sent an adjuster out to reevaluate the car . Fireside has yet to send anyone from Fireside . When i call, they always say thatan adjuster will be contacting me to schedule an appoinment to see the car. That has not happened . I have been going through this since Januay 2007. ..............

The Back car door is smashed & the elements ie: rain & fog is deteriorating the upolstrey. The mirror on the driver side is gone.

Dave of Modesto CA (12/18/06)
The following note was sent to Fireside Dodge on 12-18-06, but bounced back because the dealer's Internet addy was not good.

Dear Sirs,

Recently I brought my wife's 1997 Avenger for some repairs. One I asked for was the replacement of ONE headlamp assembly package driver's side ONLY.

When my wife returned home, I found that she had been charged for two, and apparently both were replaced.

I understand that one of your employees called her rather than calling me, and told her that they were only sold in pairs, and that she would have to approve that. Based on this incorrect information, she approved the installation.

I called other dealers and found out that this is not true, the lamp assemblies can be bought as singles.

When I called your office and asked about this, I was told by Michael Fischenich of your company that he would have to check with his technician and get back to me. He also offered to look for the part improperly replaced against my instructions and let me know if they could re-install it. (Which of course will require another trip to the dealership, and inconvenience on our part.)

The instructions were to replace one light and one only. We were well aware that the other was in good working order, and apparently your employees agreed as it did not show up on any of the prior muli-point checks that were done by you when we brought in in before (check your files).

Clearly, your employees tried to plus the sale by selling my wife an unneeded headlamp instead of following the directions. Iam sure that you are under some pressure to get your numbers up before the end of the year, by why sour someone else's Christman in the process. By not following the directions, and doing as asked, your actions resulted in upping the total bill by several hundred dollars.

This situation follows a previous lengthy repair that was supposed to take a few days, and ran into more than two weeks, with the bill ever climbing. The car also had to be returned for a re-do because it died upon stopping at a stop sign.

This note is to bring this situation to your attention, and to document our recent dealings with your company. I will be doing a bit of research to see if you have had other such problems with your customers.

Several hundred dollars needlessly added to our bill.

Christine of Modesto CA (05/03/05)
Made and appoinment to bring my 2003 Dodge Carvan in.It was having break problems,seat belt light was coming on all the time of and on.There was a recall on the power steeering hose,and a wining noise coming from the van.I told them I had a factory warranty,and a extended waranty as well.They said it didn't matter that I had to sign a paper saying it cost $95 just to have there guys look at it because it might be our fault not theres.What I want to know is what these warranties are good for because I payed $2000 for nothing on a waranty that they will never honor.

They were very rude and not helpful I went out of my way to bring my van there to get looked at.That didn't even get looked at my husband and I were very upset because they tryed to get us to pay just to look at the vechile.So We just said forget it and left.Don't purchase or service a vechile at this dealership because they are rude and very dishonest.

Van already has lots of problems bought it brand new.Csn't afford to take it else where either.I have a warranty but they refuse to honor it.

Mindy of Modesto CA (04/02/05)
On april 1st 2005 I went into fireside dodge to see if I could work out a deal trading in my current car( 2001 dodge stratus) for a 2005 dodge magnum. A salesmen came over and never introduced himself I told him I was looking at the magnums he said lets take one for a test drive. After we were done with the test drive we went inside and I filled out some paperwork with personal information so he could see what he could do and how much it was going to cost.

I waited about 15 minutes he came back with some figures and I told him how much I had to put down and how much I wanted to pay a month. He said I am sure we can work that out. Then he said I will be right back He never returned. 20 minutes later some guy comes over never introduces himself either and says The sales manager wants to talk to you about some negative things on your credit He pointed to were he was across the building, He did not walk me over, then he disappeared.

I walked over and asked for mike, their were 5 guys behind this cubicle Mike steps out and says yeah I am mike I told him I was sent over to you from some guy thats says you wanted to talk to me. Mike says no I did not want to talk to you I said are you sure He says I no nothing about wanted to talk to anyone, someone must be pulling your chain then he walked away. Then another guy goes oh you are the one with the bad credit Then he and another guy started laughing.. He tried to tell me that I would have to put down $15,000 to $20,000 down for me to get financed. What? I said the car only cost $23,000 sticker price if I had $20,000 I would buy it cash. He told me that I still owe $8,000 on my current loan and my car is only worth about $4,000 and that who ever sold me that car gave me a raw deal I informed him that I had bought the car from their dealership. All he had to say was oh He countinued on to say that You are going to be stuck in that car for a while, he and the other guy countinued this whole time giggling, no one is going to finance you for a while. Your best bet is to keep paying your payments on your car. Then he turned away frome me.

I started walking out of the dealership and made my way to my car. There was 3 car salesmen and 1 woman outside. Two of them were sitting on the hand rails leading down the steps smoking and blew their smoke in my face. They were laughing and the one that originally had helped me laughing said sorry it didnt work out, you should really get that credit in check and they all started laughing louder.

I was embaressed,extremely humiliated. I do not feel I can ever go in there again but that is where I get my car repaired.

Rosemary of San Jose CA (01/03/05)
I went to fireside dodge in Modesto with my long time friend Kenny to help him buy a dodge srt-4 and well to make a long story short they sold him a srt-4 that they said was brand new I also asked if this car was a rollback and they said no come to find out after having the car for a week it wasnt brand new Kenny was the second registered owner and they needed him to go back and sign a used car contract.Him and I both went back to complain about this and see what they were willing to do to fix the mistake they made.

When we got there we explain what we thought would be a fix to the problem which was to sell the car at a used car price instead of a new car price.Or they could just take the car back and we would pick out another one. They treated us horrible they wouldnt take the car back unless we paid for lic. and reg fees and they would not drop the price at all. The managers called Kenny and I both names(ignorant, idiot,12 year olds) kept telling me to shut up kept turning the radio on full volume so they couldnt hear us threw a buisness car at me when I asked to talk to the owner refused to give me the owners name all in all it was horrible and Kenny is stuck with this car and there is nothing he can do.

I am so mad at this dealership I am going to write a letter to the BBB I can not beleive they can treat people like this and get away with it after spending $39,000 there for a used car that is worth $20,000

Joe of Modesto, CA (08/25/04)
Went to get a price on a SLT-Dodge Laramie,turbo-cummins 3/4 ton 4-door,short-bed,billet grille,silver.I was test driving this truck from another,since I live in Modesto I thought I'd give you an oportunity to make me a deal on a truck like this one. I was there for 45 mins. I couldn't get the salesman to make me an offer/ I explained to him I've already heard all the red tape from five-dealers , so get me a price. Nothing!So I walked out after 45 mins.

James of Modesto CA (07/24/04)
We took our PT Cruiser in with a complaint of stalling and odd dash lights and chimes. We had it towed in on Tuesday morning. Every time we called they said they were checking it but would be done Wed. evening for sure. Yes they were done checking Wednesday night but had not done any repairs. They said that we needed a fuel pump and a dash light circut but would not be able to get either till friday morning, but the car would be done at noon. The car was not done until 4:45 and we paid $622 for the work. We went from the dealership to a PT meeting (still daylight) confident that the problem had been resolved.

When we left the meeting after dark, and started the car, it stalled out as soon as we turned on the headlights. We also still had the ghost lights in the dash and one headlight was not one at all. We tried different combinations of high beam, low beam and parking lights to try to get the car to run. Same problems as before but now we had been without the car for most of the week and had given them $622! We had to drive home across town with NO LIGHTS to get the car back. First thing Sat. morning we took it back to Fireside. Cruz said we had to leave it several more days, tried to say that this was a new problem, and said he wasn't sure if he had a mechanic that could repair it at all, then referred us to a manager who won't be in till Monday about any adjustment to the bill. We took our car out, stopped payment on the check and will talk to Bur. Automive Repairs on Monday.

Without our main car for most of the week, $622 bill for uneeded repairs,now need to have it repaired elswhere for several more days.

Stephanie of Modesto CA (05/26/04)
I too went to Fireside Dodge, looking for a new car. As soon as I got out of my car, they were already on my tail. A man came up to my husband and I, and started asking what he could help us with. We somehow ended up looking at a used dodge neon. The salesman opened up the door, and i sat inside. It stunk really bad, like dirty, musty car. I got out immediately and he asked me why.

I told him the car stunk, and i wasn't going to buy a car that didn't smell good. He seemed offended, and tried to work a deal with us anyway. He then said i know what i can do! *acting as if there was some promotion he could get us* and said i'll be right back! he left, and some other dude came out. This guy said the other guy had an appointment, and couldn't help us, so he'd help us instead.

I explained to him that i did not want a used car, and he kept pushing that he could cut me a deal and that no one else would use my 85 cavalier as a trade in but them. I told him i wasn't interested in a deal, and that i wasn't looking to buy a car that day, i was just looking at my options. He kept pushing deals on me, and i flat out told him NO. He finally said i'm trying to work with you, and look how you're acting very rudley. my husband and i turned around and walked away. those people don't know how to do business! They have given my mother a bad experience in the past, and the owner still owes her a car.

It got so bad with her car, that she had to meet with an actual hyundai rep from japan. they never went through with their promises, and she never got her car.

i would never buy a car from fireside dodge, or refer someone there.

Patricia of Sonora CA (07/15/03)
I bought a 1999 Dodge Dakota Pickup. When I bought it the air conditioning did not work. I took it in and they charged me to put in a new compresser. 2 mos. later it does not work again. this truck came from Michigan. It has 53,000 miles on it. I believe it really has 153,000 as there is no place for the 1 and it has so many problems to be this milage. The manage at Fireside Dodge yelled at me and was rude. I am a senior and my husband just died and should not have been treated the way this manager treated me.

I have to drive 55 miles to get anything done at this dealership. It costs me a days work, plus whatever they charge me to fix it. I am not in good health and sitting in their waiting room is a hardship and very depressing.

Renee of Salida CA (07/11/03)
We purchased a used vehicle on 6/20/03 that offered a warranty of 30 days or 1,000 miles from Fireside Dodge. The manufacterer warranty had expired (Mercedes Benz). I'm not sure because when they prepped the car, they removed the stickers and didn't give them to me. The next day I heard a ringing noise. I took the car to the Mercedes dealership for an inspection on 7/11/03 and found that the fuel pump is going out and needs to be replaced. It would cost $500-$600 for the Mercedes dealership to fix.

I contacted Fireside Dodge and they would not cover the fuel pump; only smog or safety items. What type of warranty/guarantee is this that it would cover only things such as a broken signal light or a smog where CA law requires the seller to perform one anyway? I could have gotten a better deal from the car auction!

No damage as yet; had I not found out the problem, I could be dead on the road! I will need to have it done ASAP. I would like Fireside Dodge to pay for replacing the fuel pump if possible.

Jeffery of Salida CA (05/06/03)
my husband and i were looking for an use vechicle. we looked at a pt crusier,we told the salesman we wanted the payments at no more than $400.00 a month. we bought an brand new durango from them in 99, so we thought they would give us the same good business that we had come to relay on. insteed the salesman lied to us by telling us since the car was only one year old the factory warranty was still valed, and the payments would be exactally 400.00 a month.

we took the car for a test drive and the brake light did not go off, the salesman said it was a sensor that need replacing and assured us the brakes were just fine. at that we took their word and when it came to financing the manager said we could not have the factory warranty, and it we wanted a good chance of financing we would need the extra warranty and also for our piece of mind if anything happened to the car. so we told him of what the salesman said and he said no that was not correct, i told him it was a verbal contract and is binding in california.

the bottom line was no deal. so for the reason of the good service prior we decided to go ahead and purchase the car. we thought what could go wrong with a car not even a year old at the time. a few months later the transmission went out and we took it in to chrysler to fix the problem. we told them of the brake light and they checked it and informed us that it needed new brake pads. this was over 200.00 and was not covered on our warranty. fireside dodge sold us this knowing it and did not even put a owners manual in the car. i will never purchase another car from fireside dodge and will tell everyone i know to not do so.

we had to pay over 200.00 for new brake pads that your salesman said were fine. we have to pay extra for a warranty we were told we did not need. in short we were lied to all throught this deal.

Kristi of Modesto, CA, writes:

My husband and I went to Fireside Dodge to purchase a 2000 used Kia. We were on the lot prior to them opening their doors. We had the Kia picked out. When they opened, we were approached by a sales manager named Juan. We told him that we were there to purchase that Kia and wanted to spend as little time as possible at the dealership. We told him we were there to purchase a car and not to play any games. He said not a problem, that this should be an easy deal and he'd have us out of there in approximately 20 minutes. We went inside and sat down. He went to get a credit application for us to fill out and didn't return. We had to go track down a salesman 40 minutes later.

That is when another man named Juan Seaberry came to help us out. We filled out the credit application and then sat and waited...and waited...and waited. They started to play games with us. Tried to put us in a different vehicle, etc. When we kept telling them what we wanted they finally heard us and worked the deal with the Kia. Our salesman, in the meantime, told us he would make sure we had floormats in the Kia. Then he told us not to tell anyone that he promised us that.

Several hours later we got into the finance department. The finance manager (Bill) was a wonderful person. We told him that Juan had promised us floormats so that it would go in writing. When Juan found out we had said something he was really mad. He got into my husbands face and told us, "how dare you tell someone...don't you take me for my word...after all, I'm a minister." Now, why do I care that he's a minister? He is my salesman....nothing more to me.

We waited even longer to get the Kia delivered to us. When we got it the Kia was filthy! They claim they detailed it...but it had chocolate on the seat in the back and was so dusty that you could tell the detailer hadn't wiped it down. They took it back to detail a second time. They wiped the dust off but never touched the chocolate on the back seat. Fine, I just wanted to leave in my new car. I'd clean the chocolate later.

We got into the Kia and the gas was completely dry. I asked them about the gas earlier and Juan had assured me there would be gas in it. We went and found him and he was upset that we were annoying him with such petty things. He drove us into the back to put five gallons worth of gas in the Kia and complained the entire time about how we were disrupting his day, etc. Our experience was awful! Several weeks later I still had not received the promised floor mats. I continually called down there to find out what was going on. Juan repeatedly told me he was taking care of it...but nothing ever happened. I also had not received any information about my financing and my first payment was coming due. When I spoke with George in finance he told me to call the bank.

When I called the bank they told me they knew nothing about the situation and I needed to call the dealership. When talking to George for the third or fourth time he said he'd take care of the problem and would call me with an answer that afternoon. I never heard from him! A week later I drove an hour to go to the dealership and try to get my problems taken care of. I spoke to Juan Seaberry who told me when I was done in finance he would be waiting for me and he would take care of the floormats. I went into George's office where he admitted that he had never even called the bank. So, we called the bank while I was sitting there. Apparently the dealership had not sent the proper forms to the bank so I was never financed. The bank said they would in fact finance me and that I should send my first payment in to them immediately.

I asked George if I could leave my payment with him and he could get it to the bank and he said I couldn't and that I needed to send it directly to the bank. So I did. I got it into the mail that same day. When leaving George's office I couldn't find Juan. The secretary paged him three times and he would not come to the showroom floor to meet with me. I finally went to speak to a manager named Kerry to tell him what was going on. He had to actually go out on the lot and find/drag Juan into the showroom floor. There, right in front of me, Kerry yelled and Juan. He told him how pissed he was at him, etc. He said that I was the fourth customer in the past month that he has treated this way. Kerry never should have treated Juan that way in front of a customer. I was very uncomfortable. Every time I tried to walk away Kerry would stop me. Also know that the whole month that this has been going on I've been asking for a customer service phone number that I can contact to complain and no one would give it to me. Finally, Kerry told Juan to take me down to Showcase Kia and buy me some floor mats. Juan stormed off and didn't say a word to me. About 20 minutes later a parts employee was looking at my car. I asked him what he was doing...he said he was going to have to order me some mats and he would mail them to me within five days. I still have not received them.

Two days later I received a letter in the mail from finance telling me I owe them money for my first car payment and needed to get it to them immediately. I called and spoke with them and they said I needed to make a payment. I told them they needed to talk to the bank because George made me send my payment to the bank and would not take it.

My husband and I went down to the dealership the next day to make sure everything was being taken care of. The parts department was closed so we couldn't check on the mats...as we were trying to leave Juan Seaberry approached us. My husband asked him to go away because we had nothing to say to him. Juan had his hand on my door and wouldn't let me close it. My husaband again asked him to go away. Juan then made a smart comment under his breath, "Whaterver, punk" and turned to walk away. My husband was mad and they had some rude words on the lot. The general manager came out and settled things down and sent Juan away. He listened to our story but didn't offer any suggetions as to how we should settle the problem. So, we left.

Now, we still haven't received our floormats and we continually get calls saying that we have to give the dealership our first payment which I've already made to the bank. Now, the bank is calling and saying that they have received our payment but we need to make another payment to the dealership. Why? What is going on? No one will help us figure out the problem or any solutions! I'm really frustrated!

Nothing has been resolved. I have had to make numerous hour-long each way trips to Modesto to try to solve the problems. This has cost me gas money and putting mileage on my new vehicle. This has also cost me money to make long distance phone calls trying to chase down the solutions. It has definitely caused me emotional problems. The dealership has stressed me out. Also, my husband has a gash on his shin where the door of the vehicle hit him when the salesman was making smart remarks.

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