Okay now I understand that this is not something under warranty please do not respond with anything like that!

I have Ichiba wheel spacers that apparently have a manufacture issue with one of the lugs being a different thread pattern than the rest, which I understand. Apparently my G35 has an OEM stud from the front driverside wheel that are stripped. So the spacer was being held by only 4 lugs instead of the typical 5. I took my car to Infiniti to have the front driverside TPMS sensor replaced, and they said no problem.

From there, they saw that 1 of my OEM studs was stripped and decided to take it upon themselves to drill off the Ichiba spacer. Now they're saying that my car isn't driveable, and they're asking for $600 to replace the OEM stud that are stripped or to have the car towed out of Infiniti.

I specifically asked, "did I ask anyone to remove any spacers, did I request my OEM studs be replaced?" And of course the service manager says no, but that they removed my wheel and saw the car needed repairs, and now they're expecting me to cough up the $.

I am speaking to the service director tomorrow because the bottom line is now they want to remove all 4 spacers and replace whatever studs need replacing, when all I asked for in the first place was my TPMS sensor to be replaced.

So I asked specifically just put the car back to the condition that it was in when I brought it to you and I'll deal with the issues. And of course, this cannot be done now, because they drilled off the front driverside spacer.

I understand that the spacers are not Infinti OEM parts but is it really right for me to have to pay for their technician jumping the gun and removing my spacers without speaking with me?

 

It's definitely not right for them to expect you to pay for that. I've had many bad experiences with Infiniti dealerships too and my family and I have had 3 vehicles purchased from this one dealership. We would go in for a simple oil changes and on more than one occasion, they would find problems with the car and go ahead fixing it and expecting us to come up with the money. This was on a 1992 J30 and they expected us to pay thousands of $$ for some repair on a car that isn't even worth that much. But yeah some dealerships are really shady like that. With the J30 though there was just a long *** argument and eventually they just put put the car back in the condition it was brought. Just be ready for a long standoff and don't go back to this dealership because they will continue to do this.

 

I'd say they would have to pay for that if they did work that wasn't requested

 

I work at a dealership, not Infiniti, and I talked to our service manager and the service writers and all of them said that customers can only be charged for repairs that were authorized. Without your authorization you should not be responsible. Period. Otherwise dealers could just do whatever they wanted whenever cars came in, basically stealing your money. Don't let them get away with it.

 

THANK GOD!

I was afraid that I was being crazy after arguing for 20 minutes with the service manager. I really am just apalled and I left a voicemail for the service director and the general manager of the entire dealership. And in the voicemails I went on and on and on about owning Lexus and Acura vehicles previously and NEVER having these types of issues with a dealership. And I explained I wanted a TPMS sensor replaced not anything else and that now they expect me to cough up $600 for new wheel studs, etc.

They service manager kept saying over and over and over, "bring us back our loaner and get the car towed out of here, or pay the price to get it fixed." How can Infiniti get away with this???

 

I wouldnt worry about having to pay one bit... you did not authorize any repairs for the stud and can take legal ramifications against them.. if they want to be jerks, just get a lawyer involved.

 

It is a good idea to go up the chain at the dealership first so you can say that you tried to get it resolved there at every level. However, considering their general attitude, it might not be resolved to your satisfaction. If it is not, ask for the name and phone number of the regional service manager. He would be the next step and it lets them know you are serious. As much as you can keep the conversation on a professional level and just lay out the facts. The regional guys are used to hearing complaints and are more likely to be rational and listen if you keep things calm during your discussion. Immediate threats of legal action don't phase them at all as they hear this all the time. Generally issues get resolved at the regional level but you still have the option of legal action if that is not the case. Make sure to document all of your conversations regarding this issue including name, time, and date just in case you need it later.

 

OMG another stealership victim! No you didn't authorize the repair so you're
not obligated to pay for what they did on their own. Take your G to any
good brake/alignment shop and they'll replace the lugs at an affordable price.
Gary

 

Okay I will go ahead and do that actually I'm going to call and see if I can request who the regional service manager is so hopefully then it's clear that I've tried to resolve this at every possible issue. I'm not trying to be a d-ck but I really didn't ask for them to mess with my wheel studs or ask for them to repair anything at all.

 

Wait, have you talked to the service director or GM yet? Try to escalate within the dealership first, then move forward. Due diligence, patience, and rationality win in this situation. Don't escalate faster than you should.

 

wow,they are really trying to make money huh,don't pay for it.just wondering what state and dealership was this at.don't want to be a victim also.if they f*** you over like that you should let us know which dealership, they dseserved to be named for be a f***ed up dealership.

 

This is the Newark, DE Infiniti dealership right on Cleaveland Ave. I'm blown away so far and I have yet to hear from the service director and from the general manager. But I'm definitely not letting this issue go. My car is not driveable! Of course Ichiba customer service is AMAZING the way it should be. They're mailing me 4 new spacers and paying for the return shipping for the damaged spacers.

 

UPDATE:

The service director called me and wow what a difference in the quality of service I was absolutely impressed, FINALLY. He said they'll cover the labor and I would have to put up about $30 bucks for parts, I agreed. He said they're replacing 3 OEM studs on the driverside and I can deal with the spacers myself, which I agreed to.

The rear wheels the OEM studs are in perfect condition and I believe the passengerside could use an OEM stud.

Where is cheapest online site to buy OEM Infiniti parts? Thanks!

 

good to hear you got this taken of..at least ichiba has good service..