repair shop missed problem, caused $2000 in damages

[Guest]

Prior to purchasing our 2001 lexus we took it in to a shop for a complete suspension and steering inspection on 1-4, they told us the struts were worn, we purchased the vehicle and repaired what turned out to be springs, took it back to the same shop for a 4 wheel alignment which includes another inspection, they found outer tie rod ends worn, we brought the car home and replaced the tie rods, took back to the shop and had the alignment performed on 1-19, on 2-20 the lower ball joint broke on the highway causing $2000 in damage. They turned it in to their insurance company who is refusing the claim. Is it reasonable for me to expect them to pay for the damages?

Thanks

 

[Michael Wechsler]

It is impossible to say without knowing the basis for the insurance company's refusal of the claim. Maybe they have a good reason and can cite the insurance policy. Maybe they don't have a good reason.

 

[Betty3]

The insurance company apparently had a reason for refusing to pay the claim - what it was we have no way to know so we don't know if it was reasonable for them not to pay or not.

 

[disagreeable]

This was their polite way of telling you it is not their problem. They would only be liable if they had changed the ball joint initially. I am not the first and you will not be the last person something like this has happened to. In my case, after a 4 wheel alignment, tire rotation and balance, I was going down the interstate, had to brake hard in traffic and the hub bearing housing broke in half. Even with me doing half the repairs the damages were almost $3k. I happened to run into my sister at a shop about 3 months ago and they were fixing a flat. I asked to go look at her car as she asked about the brake line condition. One of the control arms was rusted 3/4's of the way through and the mechanic who was looking right at it did not see it.

 

[Betty3]

Yikes. Some of that stuff is scary - you could be driving along & something major breaks down. (like your brakes give out)

 

[alishba]

Tell them if you have not received the refund check by next Wednesday, you are just going to call the states attorney general and the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division at 000-000-0000 to file complaints, then you will file against the dealership in small claims court.



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