
Bob of Bsl/Southport,, NC on March 11, 2000
have a Dodge truck with ~9,000 (nine thousand) miles on it. I don't use it often because it guzzles gas, is hard to steer, the brakes require attention monthly (or don't work), the hubs are staying in four wheel drive, etc. About a year ago I noticed paint flaking off the roof of the cab of my 91 Dodge truck.
I took it to the dealer and they said they had to get in touch with Chrysler about it. After a month I called them back and they said I had to bring it to to a local shop that "they send all their work to," for an estimate.
I brought it back and some guy looked at it. A few weeks later they called me and said the cost is $300 and they would paint the cab providing I pay half. Seemed steep to me.
Lately, whole square feet of paint are peeling from the hood. Called Chrysler directly this time, and told them about it and they said to take it to the dealer and they would "get the district manager involved." I got a call back saying that they would pay $500 towards the paint job of my choice, providing I did it within the next 30 days (he stressed that, 30 day limit, twice during his spiel).
Better, but that probably won't pay for what it will cost to take it to the bare metal and prime and paint it. The repaint cost is on the order of $3,000+ to strip the truck to bare metal prime and paint it all.
What I would like is some unbiased knowledgeable third party to render an opinion on what my options are, what my legal standing is, and what service bulletins or recalls might be floating around that may be beneficial to my case. I still want Chrysler to accept responsibility for the paint. (I don't want the "paint job of my choice," I want Chrysler to fix their problem).
Bob is right. $500 doesn't go far. On the other hand, the truck is 10 years old so the chance of beating big bucks out of Chrysler in court are probably rather dim.