Blown Motor With 6 Miles Dodge As Little As Possible

[viperdriver5150]

Well, I got my official response back from Dodge today. Sorry about your luck buddy, you get a new motor. (Not offered anything in terms of loss in value, nothing)

Not to mention the emails I sent to SRT and called the SRT number that someone was nice enough to post. Never received any response by email or phone.

[Rapidrezults]

It will be as good as new when done. I wouldn't worry about loss of value...read Outnumbered's thread to see the discussion regarding that topic.

[XSnake]

Someone didn't check the oil levels

[ViperSmith]

I think many here will be sympathetic to the motor blowing with 6 miles and not being happy - but if Dodge fixes within lemon time frame it I am not sure what else they have to do.

Dodge will do what they are required to by law, that is about it. Could they go above and beyond? Yes. Will they? Who knows. Should they swap your car out with another? Some may think so, some many not. Should you get diminished value? Well - if you got a steal of a deal, I wouldn't see Dodge jumping at it.

I wouldn't be happy at all with the situation either.

[ViperSmith]

Someone didn't check their oil levels

His issue had nothing to do with oil levels.

Plus, someone shouldn't have to check their oil to drive it the first mile. That is completely ridiculous.

[viperdriver5150]

It was a brand new car. I didn't think I should have to check the oil. Maybe after 500 miles start watching it as people on here have stated.

[XSnake]

His issue had nothing to do with oil levels.

Plus, someone shouldn't have to check their oil to drive it the first mile. That is completely ridiculous.

Wrong, it should have been done on the PDI that EVERY car goes through

[Viperth]

I saw you driving it last Saturday, it looks beautiful! You shouldn't have to check the oil for at least 500 miles. Hopefully Dodge will come thru for you! See if you can talk Dodge into letting Archer Racing do the motor, they will do it right! Once you get it back we will have to go for a drive! I'm heading to Mopars in the park the end of May to meet up with the club and We have a group weekend to Grand Marais the end of June if you can make it.

[ViperSmith]

Wrong, it should have been done on the PDI that EVERY car goes through

Oh, editing what you originally said so it doesn't sound like you blamed the OP now.

Dealer should have. But ok.

[Viperth]

Checkout the post by "Dasvolk" on his 2013 Viper buyback story!

[Newport Viper]

Hope the new ACR doesn't start popping motors. GREAT track car.

[Cigar]

How about negotiating with them demanding to turn the car back and the amount of money more for a new 2016?

[Dman]

If it were me and all they would do is swap the motor, then I'd contact a lawyer who specializes in dismissed value law suits. They're popping up more and more, even seeing commercials from them now, let them go after Dodge and they keep 1/3 of what they get but better than nothing. Anyone who says you won't have dismissed value from having a motor replaced, well, is saying it cause it's not their car. I've had a dealer lower trade in value on a BMW due to a high level of warranty work that had to be done to it, let alone a motor failure, car fax affects every sale nowadays since private buyers check it and dealers provide them, etc.

I'm sure a new motor will make the car like new and functionally be great, but plain and simple the value is disminished on a car you paid for in good faith and was delivered with a total catastrophic manufacture defect. So, if they swap the motor at least you're on the road and enjoying the ride, then just let a lawyer try to earn his money by going after them, why not, if they're going to do the legal minimum, then you should take the legal maximum action.

[Newport Viper]

Next time. vvvvvv Should be standard fill in all Gen V Vipers. You will need 2 cans for ACR track use.


http://www.autowares.com/images/product/RESTORE/restore-00015-400.jpg


Hope you get your cash back and run.

[Aspirations57]

Next time. vvvvvv Should be standard fill in all Gen V Vipers. You will need 2 cans for ACR track use.


http://www.autowares.com/images/product/RESTORE/restore-00015-400.jpg


Hope you get your cash back and run.

Newport, why do you have such a vaginal itch about Dodge??? Iam not new to the Viper but have not been on this forum for awhile. I understand that the OP would be pissed and so would I but bad things happen to good people all the time. It looks like the OP wants to go a different route then Outnumbered and thats fine but telling him to get his cash and run is silly and only the OP can decide on whats right for him. Your just adding fuel to the fire because you are pissed about something Dodge did to you(I dont know your story) but its not helping the OP.
Others have offered better alternatives while you continue to spurt 5th grade advice. Your not a lover of the Gen 5 Viper we get it so just move along and drive your German Vundacar,sheesh.

[arizonajack]

If it were me and all they would do is swap the motor, then I'd contact a lawyer who specializes in dismissed value law suits. They're popping up more and more, even seeing commercials from them now, let them go after Dodge and they keep 1/3 of what they get but better than nothing. Anyone who says you won't have dismissed value from having a motor replaced, well, is saying it cause it's not their car. I've had a dealer lower trade in value on a BMW due to a high level of warranty work that had to be done to it, let alone a motor failure, car fax affects every sale nowadays since private buyers check it and dealers provide them, etc.

I'm sure a new motor will make the car like new and functionally be great, but plain and simple the value is disminished on a car you paid for in good faith and was delivered with a total catastrophic manufacture defect. So, if they swap the motor at least you're on the road and enjoying the ride, then just let a lawyer try to earn his money by going after them, why not, if they're going to do the legal minimum, then you should take the legal maximum action.

Reality check.

No lawyer is going to take on a Diminished Value case against a car manufacture on a contingency for the $5K or $10K that's unlikely to be won in the first place.

You'll have to pay him is $300 to $400 per hour with probably a retainer of several thousand before he'll even get started. Then he'll be happy to tilt at windmills on your dime.

Sure, there may be a perceived loss of value by whoever buys your car at some unspecified date in the future, but that's not what your warranty covers so the car manufacturer is not obligated to pay it by any stretch of the imagination.

Here's what an attorney friend of mine has to say about Diminished Value:

"Diminished value damages are completely speculative and improper. You don't know if you'll ever sell your vehicle. It might get totaled in another accident. It might get destroyed in a fire. If you do sell it, you don't know when you'll sell it. You also don't know if the person to whom you sell it will make an effort to research the car's accident history. Accordingly, giving you something based on "diminished value" could amount to compensating you for damages you never suffer or grossly overcompensating you"

In other words, you don't have a compensable loss until you sell the car some day and then, good luck trying to prove that it was due to the repaired or replaced engine and not some other factors like the used car market values or your own possibly desperate need for money quickly.

If I seem a little huffy on the subject it's because I'm a retired claims adjuster and I've had to fend off ridiculous Diminished Value claims ad infinitum.

[Dan Cragin]

This is an interesting problem. I have numerous clients with 2013 models without any engine issues what-so-ever and they are driven hard. I also have had a couple 13's that had high oil consumption, that corrected itself after a few thousand miles. I have had 2 clients cars have engine failures that seems to be random. Dodge took care of both of them.

It seems the cars that had engine failures were late sales, they sat around the dealer being cold started numerous times. I am speculating that maybe the oil was fuel contaminated from cold starts.

I wish we had some information about the cause of the failure so we can do our due diligence on the cars out there that have not had an issue.

[Whitemamba]

This is an interesting problem. I have numerous clients with 2013 models without any engine issues what-so-ever and they are driven hard. I also have had a couple 13's that had high oil consumption, that corrected itself after a few thousand miles. I have had 2 clients cars have engine failures that seems to be random. Dodge took care of both of them.

It seems the cars that had engine failures were late sales, they sat around the dealer being cold started numerous times. I am speculating that maybe the oil was fuel contaminated from cold starts.

I wish we had some information about the cause of the failure so we can do our due diligence on the cars out there that have not had an issue.

Great response Dan. It is nice to see someone with so much knowledge pass it on to us. Thanks once again.

[Coloviper]

Reality check.

If I seem a little huffy on the subject it's because I'm a retired claims adjuster and I've had to fend off ridiculous Diminished Value claims ad infinitum.

While I agree there are a lot of shady people out there that try to pull shady things, in those instances I feel for the adjusters however a brand new car with six miles? Dealers sell them new with more miles than that. If you feel that is "ridiculous", I would seriously question your judgment after all them years. I have been lucky to never have something like this happen to me after all my years (knock on wood) but if it did, I am not sure I could be as understanding to anyone who sees this manufacturer response situation as anything but completely uncalled for. It is 6 miles old! That is complete refund territory period.

[FLATOUT]

Agree thanks Dan!



This is an interesting problem. I have numerous clients with 2013 models without any engine issues what-so-ever and they are driven hard. I also have had a couple 13's that had high oil consumption, that corrected itself after a few thousand miles. I have had 2 clients cars have engine failures that seems to be random. Dodge took care of both of them.

It seems the cars that had engine failures were late sales, they sat around the dealer being cold started numerous times. I am speculating that maybe the oil was fuel contaminated from cold starts.

I wish we had some information about the cause of the failure so we can do our due diligence on the cars out there that have not had an issue.

[viperdriver5150]

This is an interesting problem. I have numerous clients with 2013 models without any engine issues what-so-ever and they are driven hard. I also have had a couple 13's that had high oil consumption, that corrected itself after a few thousand miles. I have had 2 clients cars have engine failures that seems to be random. Dodge took care of both of them.

It seems the cars that had engine failures were late sales, they sat around the dealer being cold started numerous times. I am speculating that maybe the oil was fuel contaminated from cold starts.

I wish we had some information about the cause of the failure so we can do our due diligence on the cars out there that have not had an issue.

Dan,

Can you expand on the 2 owners that had defective motors in terms of how Dodge handled the situations?

As for the replacement motor not being a big deal, I think it depends on the situation. I think if the car down the road was being traded it would never have to be disclosed on the owners side but the dealer may catch it and depending on the mileage it could adversely affect the trade value.

As for a private sale, you could sell the car without telling the person but odds are they will do a carfax and it will show up. Then they will never trust you or you can be very open about it but the buyer will assume the car has been beat to hell and either pass or look for a great deal again affecting the value.

[Dman]

L
Reality check.

No lawyer is going to take on a Diminished Value case against a car manufacture on a contingency for the $5K or $10K that's unlikely to be won in the first place.

You'll have to pay him is $300 to $400 per hour with probably a retainer of several thousand before he'll even get started. Then he'll be happy to tilt at windmills on your dime.

Sure, there may be a perceived loss of value by whoever buys your car at some unspecified date in the future, but that's not what your warranty covers so the car manufacturer is not obligated to pay it by any stretch of the imagination.

Here's what an attorney friend of mine has to say about Diminished Value:

"Diminished value damages are completely speculative and improper. You don't know if you'll ever sell your vehicle. It might get totaled in another accident. It might get destroyed in a fire. If you do sell it, you don't know when you'll sell it. You also don't know if the person to whom you sell it will make an effort to research the car's accident history. Accordingly, giving you something based on "diminished value" could amount to compensating you for damages you never suffer or grossly overcompensating you"

In other words, you don't have a compensable loss until you sell the car some day and then, good luck trying to prove that it was due to the repaired or replaced engine and not some other factors like the used car market values or your own possibly desperate need for money quickly.

If I seem a little huffy on the subject it's because I'm a retired claims adjuster and I've had to fend off ridiculous Diminished Value claims ad infinitum.

All I know is they advertise on TV for dismissed value on cars, so must be some money in it, lawyers in my exp are motivated by a single item and it's green.

I hear your perspective being a claims adjuster and thinking everyone is a rip off, I can tell you from my exp claims adjusters are, well, in general not my fav people. I returned home to find my car stolen years ago, State Farm adjuster said he wouldn't payout any $ for it because it was a show car. It was my daily driver, when we reviewed the recorded transcript they backed off that as I say it's my DD that I babied like it was a show car, he then denied it saying it was stolen by someone in my home, I lived with my mother at the time as my dad had just died of cancer and she was quite ill. I had to get a lawyer and sue, and I hate lawsuits with a passion, I got the money, they settled 11 months and a lot of pain later, I got exactly what the car was worth, not a penny more, and lawyer got $7k on top. But for an industry that has a routine of denying healthcare claims as a business practice, denying car claims and attacking their clients is certainly nothing.

I'm just saying it's worth a call OP if you're not happy, personally I'm not the bend over and take it type, as a multiple biz owner if I were I'd be bankrupt by now from lawyers, bankers and claims adjusters. I may lose a fight, but the other guy will know he's been in one. Just my 2 cents, as silly as it may be.

[Rapidrezults]

L

All I know is they advertise on TV for dismissed value on cars, so must be some money in it, lawyers in my exp are motivated by a single item and it's green.

I hear your perspective being a claims adjuster and thinking everyone is a rip off, I can tell you from my exp claims adjusters are, well, in general not my fav people. I returned home to find my car stolen years ago, State Farm adjuster said he wouldn't payout any $ for it because it was a show car. It was my daily driver, when we reviewed the recorded transcript they backed off that as I say it's my DD that I babied like it was a show car, he then denied it saying it was stolen by someone in my home, I lived with my mother at the time as my dad had just died of cancer and she was quite ill. I had to get a lawyer and sue, and I hate lawsuits with a passion, I got the money, they settled 11 months and a lot of pain later, I got exactly what the car was worth, not a penny more, and lawyer got $7k on top. But for an industry that has a routine of denying healthcare claims as a business practice, denying car claims and attacking their clients is certainly nothing.

I'm just saying it's worth a call OP if you're not happy, personally I'm not the bend over and take it type, as a multiple biz owner if I were I'd be bankrupt by now from lawyers, bankers and claims adjusters. I may lose a fight, but the other guy will know he's been in one. Just my 2 cents, as silly as it may be.

Arizonajack, I'm sure you are the exception to the rule but the primary function for a claims adjuster is to save the insurance company (who they work for) money. I could go on for hours about experiences exactly as Dman speaks of here. Insurance companies and their adjusters will cut every corner humanly and sometimes illegally possible to save money at the expense and safety of consumers.

[ViperSmith]

Throwing this out there: depending on what insurer you have, it maybe wise to talk with them and see if they can pursue the DV claim on their end on your behalf. No idea if it would work, but they'll have better resources than you do to pursue Chrysler.

[ViperPete]

I say..... If Dodge is going to replace your motor with a new one... they should at least let you keep the old one.... for good measure.

[Nine Ball]

If this car was purchased at a heavy discount, the talk of diminished value might be a waste of time. When it comes time to trade the car in, they are not going to offer less for a car that has had a warranty repair. A lemon or buyback car might get a black eye from potential private sales, but not a warranty replacement. If anything, having it fail at 6 miles just shows the car had a mechanical flaw, failing at 6000 miles may make future buyers think it was abuse. I would rather have the 6 mile failure in that case.

[Blue T/A 2.0]

I would be pissed with 6 miles. I had a similar situation with a new Harley several years ago. It took a lawyer to get any attention and the end result was I got my money back, but I ate the sales tax. No more business for that dealer. As far as checking oil, I have 300 miles and have checked it at least 10 times.

[darbgnik]

I would be pissed with 6 miles. I had a similar situation with a new Harley several years ago. It took a lawyer to get any attention and the end result was I got my money back, but I ate the sales tax. No more business for that dealer. As far as checking oil, I have 300 miles and have checked it at least 10 times.

Mine came overfilled a bit, and by 600 miles, it was down to the proper level.... seems to be holding there now.

[Dajerseyviper]

If it were me and all they would do is swap the motor, then I'd contact a lawyer who specializes in dismissed value law suits. They're popping up more and more, even seeing commercials from them now, let them go after Dodge and they keep 1/3 of what they get but better than nothing. Anyone who says you won't have dismissed value from having a motor replaced, well, is saying it cause it's not their car. I've had a dealer lower trade in value on a BMW due to a high level of warranty work that had to be done to it, let alone a motor failure, car fax affects every sale nowadays since private buyers check it and dealers provide them, etc.

I'm sure a new motor will make the car like new and functionally be great, but plain and simple the value is disminished on a car you paid for in good faith and was delivered with a total catastrophic manufacture defect. So, if they swap the motor at least you're on the road and enjoying the ride, then just let a lawyer try to earn his money by going after them, why not, if they're going to do the legal minimum, then you should take the legal maximum action.

Agreed, the car is no longer "Original" and unmolested. Definitely depreciates the value for some potential buyers.

[viperdriver5150]

I would be pissed with 6 miles. I had a similar situation with a new Harley several years ago. It took a lawyer to get any attention and the end result was I got my money back, but I ate the sales tax. No more business for that dealer. As far as checking oil, I have 300 miles and have checked it at least 10 times.

What I was told from the dealer is there was a piece of metal went though the oil line and seized the cam where the cam uses the block for bearing surface.

[swexlin]

What I was told from the dealer is there was a piece of metal went though the oil line and seized the cam where the cam uses the block for bearing surface.

Interesting, thank you. This is one of the only instances I think (besides low oil) where we have seen a possible cause. Could be just a fluke.

[BlknBlu]

IF the car is docimented with a replacement block with low miles and you are worried about resale value ask them for the factory block and sell with the car when it is time. that would be no harm for the buyer. That is the least the dealer can do to compensate for your time and efforts.

Bruce

[dasvolk]

This is an interesting problem. I have numerous clients with 2013 models without any engine issues what-so-ever and they are driven hard. I also have had a couple 13's that had high oil consumption, that corrected itself after a few thousand miles. I have had 2 clients cars have engine failures that seems to be random. Dodge took care of both of them.

It seems the cars that had engine failures were late sales, they sat around the dealer being cold started numerous times. I am speculating that maybe the oil was fuel contaminated from cold starts.

I wish we had some information about the cause of the failure so we can do our due diligence on the cars out there that have not had an issue.

Interesting theory, my original car was manufactured in September 2013 and sold to me in the end of September 2014 (or beginning of October, I forget exactly now) so this sounds plausible. I would be really interested in seeing root cause analysis on the problems these cars are having.