Car Warranty Diagnostic Fees

Summary

Dealerships in Texas may charge diagnostic fees if an issue is not covered by warranty or considered normal wear and tear. Review your warranty terms and contact Nissan for clarification. If you believe the charges are unfair, consider consulting a consumer rights attorney. Texas Lemon Law might apply if your car has recurring issues under warranty. Document all communications with the dealer and Nissan for future reference.

Full Conversation

I bought a brand new * Nissan Versa for $*,*. The clutch went out at only *,* miles, and repair shops are quoting $*,* to fix it. I'm an experienced stick shift driver, so I believe this is far too soon for a clutch to fail. I also found there’s a recall on the ECM for signal issues, which makes me question the reliability of the parts and design. On top of that, the transmission is a sealed unit you can't check fluid levels which feels like it's designed to force dealer service. The clutch replacement also requires dropping the whole transmission, unlike many other cars. When I asked about warranty, the dealer said I’d have to pay $* just for a diagnostic if the issue wasn’t their fault. That seems excessive, especially considering the cost of the car and the limited lifespan of a major component. I’m wondering if this is even legal, or at least ethical.
Hey ****, dealing with car issues like this can be really frustrating. Here are some points to consider:
- Check if the clutch issue could be related to the ECM recall.
- Review your car's warranty details to see if the clutch is covered.
- Texas Lemon Law might apply if your car has recurring issues under warranty.
- Consider contacting Nissan’s customer service for assistance.
Have you reached out to Nissan directly about this issue yet?
Like i said when i asked them about warranty they said odds are it going to be determined as normal wear and tear and if they run a diagnostic i will have to pay * unless its found to be underwaranty
It's frustrating when you're getting mixed messages on warranty coverage. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Document Everything: Keep records of all communications with the dealer and Nissan.
- Texas Lemon Law: This law might protect you if your vehicle has recurring issues. It’s worth looking into if your car has had repeated problems.
- Contact Nissan: Escalate the issue by reaching out to Nissan's customer service or regional office.
- Consider Legal Advice: If these steps don’t resolve your issue, consulting with a consumer rights attorney might be beneficial.
You mentioned the ECM recall; it might be a point of leverage. Have you checked your warranty documents to see if the clutch might be covered despite the dealer's claim?
My question is can a dealership threaten to charge me * to check if it is actually a warranty pronlem or arw they required to look into it free of charge to ensure it not due to some fault of their
Case Rating: *
In Texas, dealerships can charge a diagnostic fee, especially if the issue is not covered by warranty or is deemed normal wear and tear. It's advisable to:
- Review your warranty terms for specific coverage details.
- Contact Nissan directly for clarification.
- Consider seeking advice from a consumer rights attorney if you believe the charges are unfair.