Hi all,
my '03 TJ II has just run out of warranty. However, while it was under warranty I took in to have the rear window looked at (creaks, rattles, paint flaking off the seal). The dealer took the seal off and lubed up the window with silicon gel, and said that should fix it. It didn't, and the next time I took it in for a service I had them look at it again. They pretty much did the same thing (re-lube the seal), which didn't fix it at all. The problem is that the dealer is no longer a Mitsubishi dealer, and not authorised to do warranty work. To compound matters, the car had run out of warranty by then (by two weeks).

Now, I have taken it to a new dealer, who said they would look at it but couldn't promise anything would be covered by warranty, as they have to open a new case and the car is currently out of warranty. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice, or has been in this situation before. I'm pretty sure that it *should* be covered by warranty, but I really don't think I should have to fight them to get this known issue covered.

Cheers,
.wook

Even though the old dealer isnt a mitsu dealer any more, they should still have records of the pre-existing warranty problem.
The new dealer should be able to contact them and get the relevant information required to cover it by warranty.
Its mitsu that covers it not the dealer.
I'd get it cleared up B4 I got the work done.:D

ACT dealer or NSW dealer? Sounds like a similiar issue with the dealers up here.

The fact of the matter is that this was a pre-existing condition before the warranty ran out, the previous dealer attempted to fix the problem but a satisfactory result has not occured.

The issue should still be under warranty but you will need to get MMAL to honor the issue first, not the dealer as Ol' Fart said.

The rear screen in it's entirity should be replaced - I've had a few threads on the issue before.

Yeah, I took in a copy of the receipt for work done at the original dealer. However, the guy at reception didn't care about that and wrote "Out of Warranty" on their worksheet.

I did tell them not to do any work that was going to cost me money without calling me first.

I think I'll give them a call right now, actually.

No, I'm in Canberra... I was taking it to Rolfe in Belconnen, now it's at National Capital in Braddon.

Tell them it was a pre-existing issue and that you want the whole screen replaced. They shouldn't have a problem. If they do, just go straight to MMAL on the phone and inform them of the situation.

i dont like Braddon Mitsu... they service desk guys are useless and lie... a lot!

So... where do you go, smurf? Now that there's no Mitsubishi on the north side, I don't really want to go to Phillip or Tuggeranong, seeing as I live and work in Belco.

Just got off the phone with the service guys at NCM in Braddon... They have logged my rear screen as a fault and it will be fixed under warranty! Woo-hoo! Now, I hope they tint the replacement screen for me!

I have to say, compared to the service from Rolfe, these guys are about the same (although they get points for actually replacing the rear screen the first time they saw it).

They have ordered the screen, so I'll be waiting for the call.

Cheers,
.wook

Nice work mate, good to hear! :D.

Just got back from picking up my car.... grrrr!!

A little bit of miscommunication, I think. The guy on the phone told me what I posted above. The guy I picked it up from told me another story.

Apparently there's something called Warranty Assistance (or Helpline or something...) and that's what has been submitted to MMAL, not a warranty claim. So it's up in the air whether or not this will qualify as a warranty claim.

To make matters worse, this same guy told me Rolfe (the original dealer) hasn't been a Mistu dealer for about 18 months. That doesn't sound right to me, as they wouldn't have done warranty work on my car 12 months ago if they weren't authorised (and hence wouldn't get paid by MMAL for it)... right?

He went on and on about how I should have reported it as soon as possible, and didn't want to hear my story about waiting for a service so I would be without my car for as little as possible.

I did get a price, if anyone's interested... $380 + install (+ tint).

I should hear back in a couple of days about the Assistance thing.

grrr....
.wook

Just got back from picking up my car.... grrrr!!

A little bit of miscommunication, I think. The guy on the phone told me what I posted above. The guy I picked it up from told me another story.

Apparently there's something called Warranty Assistance (or Helpline or something...) and that's what has been submitted to MMAL, not a warranty claim. So it's up in the air whether or not this will qualify as a warranty claim.

To make matters worse, this same guy told me Rolfe (the original dealer) hasn't been a Mistu dealer for about 18 months. That doesn't sound right to me, as they wouldn't have done warranty work on my car 12 months ago if they weren't authorised (and hence wouldn't get paid by MMAL for it)... right?

He went on and on about how I should have reported it as soon as possible, and didn't want to hear my story about waiting for a service so I would be without my car for as little as possible.

I did get a price, if anyone's interested... $380 + install (+ tint).

I should hear back in a couple of days about the Assistance thing.

grrr....
.wook
Go straight to MMAL customer care, they are VERY good with disputes like this.

Just got back from picking up my car.... grrrr!!

A little bit of miscommunication, I think. The guy on the phone told me what I posted above. The guy I picked it up from told me another story.

Apparently there's something called Warranty Assistance (or Helpline or something...) and that's what has been submitted to MMAL, not a warranty claim. So it's up in the air whether or not this will qualify as a warranty claim.

To make matters worse, this same guy told me Rolfe (the original dealer) hasn't been a Mistu dealer for about 18 months. That doesn't sound right to me, as they wouldn't have done warranty work on my car 12 months ago if they weren't authorised (and hence wouldn't get paid by MMAL for it)... right?

He went on and on about how I should have reported it as soon as possible, and didn't want to hear my story about waiting for a service so I would be without my car for as little as possible.

I did get a price, if anyone's interested... $380 + install (+ tint).

I should hear back in a couple of days about the Assistance thing.

grrr....
.wook
That's absolute rubbish mate. Just say to the guy that they're replacing it. You have to play hard ball with dealerships otherwise you get nowhere. Now you've already been bent over so your only option now is to ring MMAL and inform them of the situation and have them sort it out. Tell them how it was a pre existing issue and the other place wouldn't fix it blah blah. Tell em the whole story.

Don't take no for an answer.

MMAL told me that Rolfe was authorised up until December 2005. Other than that they said wait until the dealer gets a response back from them on the "Out of Warranty Assistance."

.wook

EDIT: I'm thinking the question I should have put to MMAL is "If my previous dealer was still authorised, would MMAL have approved the fix under warranty?"

Go straight to MMAL customer care, they are VERY good with disputes like this.
Have to disagree there, I found them completely useless and I doubt I'll buy a Mitsubishi again because of it.

The end result of my drama was that I ended up going to another dealer who agreed with me on my issues.

Have to disagree there, I found them completely useless and I doubt I'll buy a Mitsubishi again because of it.

The end result of my drama was that I ended up going to another dealer who agreed with me on my issues.
Really?
That's a real shame!
I had heaps of questions about my new car and emailed them about them.
The next morning they called me :Shock: and answered all my questions.

I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, but if I could give one piece of advice - make the dealer provide you with a detailed report of any and all (no matter how trivial) warranty work done.

I had no end of trouble with my Jeep because of issues that the dealer couldn't/didn't fix when the car was under warranty. By the time I had the fault independantly diagnosed the car was out of warranty. I had to argue for some time before Chrysler reduced the cost of the repairs (as a gesture of "goodwill"). If I had demanded a record for the previous attempted repair they would have had no option but to repair at their expense, as it was a pre-existing fault (at times I think the whole vehicle is a pre-exisiting fault).

I know that it annoys some dealers, but wasting your hard earned on manufacturing faults is more annoying.

Ken

if people arent happy with mitsu's goodwill warranty assistance, try toyota or holden/ford.. then u will trully appreciate how generous mitsu can be!
a squeaking rear screen is hardly considered a major defect or driveline component, so be prepared to only be covered for the cost of the screen, if your lucky.. u may have to wear the fitting urself... and the tint.. u could pretty much forget about it!
but i do understand, every dealer has access to repair procedures.. and they would of known of the " fix " for the rear screen.. which in my opinion is useless and doesnt work very well! but then again, the screen should of been changed due to the paint peeling.. thats only fair!

p.s: go to ford and tell them about warping plastic door moulds, and dodgey carpet and seat stitchings.. even at 12months, 20k.. they'll laugh at u! wankers!

if people arent happy with mitsu's goodwill warranty assistance, try toyota or holden/ford.. then u will trully appreciate how generous mitsu can be!
a squeaking rear screen is hardly considered a major defect or driveline component, so be prepared to only be covered for the cost of the screen, if your lucky.. u may have to wear the fitting urself... and the tint.. u could pretty much forget about it!

Completely disagree with you there. If its a defect, that is, if the part does not do what it is intended to do, or if the part, due to quality of materials fails, then the item should be replaced under warranty - period.

It is an issue if the rear screen is pealing and squeeking, I take it you have not experieced just how bad an annoying this defect is. It may not be as critical as a component as the drive train directly, but still a warranty is still a warranty, and as warrantys are bumper to bumper, the issue should still be rectified.

What you have described with a ford or a holden is not a defect, but a general quality deficiency amongst the entire fleet of falcons and commodores, whilst the Magna issue appears to be confined to what would probably be considered to be a large minority. Its a well known fact for instance that Commodore glove boxes will warp in heat. If you try hard enough with your dealer however, there is generally no issue with getting the part replaced. Although I will note that there are lemons out there - but then again, BMW has lemons as well.

As for Mitsubishi being generous, then they need to have a look at their dealer network - I have never been so poorly treated ever by a car dealer, appart from the fact that they make me wait half an hour whilst they serve people who arrived after me, they also accused me of lying and seem to have the world's shortest memory with regards to prior discussions. While they were at it one particular service adviser also inferred several negatives about my family.

I guess experiences vary people to people, there are some happy times with dealers on here, and I have read a few happy stories. As for my circumstance, I went to a dealer as recommeded by an AMC member and all issues were fixed no questions asked.

I had my rear screen replaced free of charge even though my car was 2 weeks out of warranty. Penrith Mitsubishi were brilliant it was no drama at all.

If nothing else this is a kick up the **** for me to get the car back to my Mitsu dealer... my rear screen dows something similar but just the creaking noises - you only really noitice if you sit in the back - and have the system down! :) But still have a couple of months of warrantly and last service they said they could not hear it but I will make sure I get the car back to them right away as it seems the prob may get worse...

I hope you get it sorted out and don't give up keep fighting them on thsi one as I would be pissed if it were me who started to get soemthing fixed had a dodgy job done and then they treid to wash their hands of it...

Ken, I have documentation of the original dealer trying to fix the rear screen. I took that to the new dealer to show that I had tried to get it fixed during the warranty period.

MitsuMad, my biggest problem with all of this is that if the original dealer was still an authorised Mitsu dealer, this wouldn't even be an issue... They would have addressed it properly, and MMAL would have paid for the replacement screen, install and (hopefully) tinting. However, due to circumstances far outside my control, that dealer is no longer doing Mitsu's, and now I'm forced to depend on the *generosity* of Mitsu's Goodwill Warranty Assistance to fix a known problem that was raised during the warranty period.

I'm going to call NCM today and see if they have a response.

.wook

I'm amused by these manufacturer "goodwill" programs when they apply them to pre-exisiting faults.

I see these situations as:

- Problem identified during warranty period. (hopefully I have documentation to prove this)
- Retification work undertaken by a manufacturer approved dealer, costs covered by manufacturer.
- Retification work failed, was inadequate or was incomplete. (This is not my problem, it is their problem. Is it reasonable for me to accept incomplete or poor work?)
- Retification never completely delivered, issue is still open.
- Manufacturer to complete delivery of rectification work. (Even if it is outside of the warranty period, it is now a "pre-exisitng" fault.)

As you are already doing, keep working on MMAL for their support, I can't see the dealer doing anything unless they get money from either MMAL or you.

Ken

Completely disagree with you there. If its a defect, that is, if the part does not do what it is intended to do, or if the part, due to quality of materials fails, then the item should be replaced under warranty - period.

It is an issue if the rear screen is pealing and squeeking, I take it you have not experieced just how bad an annoying this defect is. It may not be as critical as a component as the drive train directly, but still a warranty is still a warranty, and as warrantys are bumper to bumper, the issue should still be rectified.

What you have described with a ford or a holden is not a defect, but a general quality deficiency amongst the entire fleet of falcons and commodores, whilst the Magna issue appears to be confined to what would probably be considered to be a large minority. Its a well known fact for instance that Commodore glove boxes will warp in heat. If you try hard enough with your dealer however, there is generally no issue with getting the part replaced. Although I will note that there are lemons out there - but then again, BMW has lemons as well.

As for Mitsubishi being generous, then they need to have a look at their dealer network - I have never been so poorly treated ever by a car dealer, appart from the fact that they make me wait half an hour whilst they serve people who arrived after me, they also accused me of lying and seem to have the world's shortest memory with regards to prior discussions. While they were at it one particular service adviser also inferred several negatives about my family.

I guess experiences vary people to people, there are some happy times with dealers on here, and I have read a few happy stories. As for my circumstance, I went to a dealer as recommeded by an AMC member and all issues were fixed no questions asked.


hang on champ... i know more about mitsu faults and warranty concerns than u will ever know.. that i promise u!
i have experienced rear screen mould paint peel, as i had it happen to my TJII, and had the screen replaced with a new improved unit.. and of course i knew it was a defect, as a car that only has 15k on it, always garaged, shouldnt have a paint peeling issue!
what.. the paint peeling is a defect, and holden/ford door moulds warping, and interior seat fabric stitching coming apart isnt? cmon mate.. a general use vehicle, not cab, rental, cop etc that has seat stitching pulling apart at 20k is a f'n defect.. who wants a near new car when the the seat u sit on looks like it came out of an XD cab?
"[B]whilst the Magna issue appears to be confined to what would probably be considered to be a large minority"[B]
large minority? is that much like a small majority? huh.. does that even make sense??:nuts:
also, if people are having no luck with certain dealers.. simple.. go to another dealer.. just like u did, and it worked out well for u.. like im sure it would others!
if a service advisor has no idea, like most dont, see the manager.. if that doesnt work, organise to see the general manager or make calls to mitsu customer service.. or just go dealer hopping till your problems are all sorted!
and please, if a problem arises, and u know ur warranty is nearing its use by date.. dont wait till the last day to try and get it sorted, do it asap.. otherwise, expect the worst!
to sum it off.. most dealers are pretty avaerage.. in all makes, whether it be kia, holden, mitsu etc.. sadly.. the trade is f'ed.. people pay peanuts, and monkeys they get!

"[B]whilst the Magna issue appears to be confined to what would probably be considered to be a large minority"[B]
Large minority is under 50% but over 20%

so... Goodwill Assistance have decided they're going to pay 50% of the bill to have the rear screen replaced. I don't think that's good enough and I'm calling them today.

I hate Mondays!

.wook

so... Goodwill Assistance have decided they're going to pay 50% of the bill to have the rear screen replaced. I don't think that's good enough and I'm calling them today.

I hate Mondays!

.wook
You have proof that it was a problem under warranty and that it was suppose to be fixed under warranty (which it wasn't), so i would raise hell lol.

when my sisters lancer was 6 months out of warranty the tranny packed it the dealer used a VIN from a car that still had warranty. they gave her a loan car free of charge till the tranny came in and instaled.

So... I got a phone call from NCM letting me know that the Goodwill Assistance ruling is only good for 30 days (would have been nice to know 20 odd days ago!!), and that the work has to be completed within those 30 days.

I called MMAL the day the decision was made and they couldn't/wouldn't help me, and they said to write a letter to them explaining my situation...

Well, I procrastinate, and, true to form, I hadn't even thought about writing that letter when I got the phone call. Now it's a week or so before the 30 days run out, and a letter isn't going to be responded to in time for me to book the car in and get it fixed.

So I told NCM to order the screen, and asked how much I'm going to be up for. About $165 is all, (MMAL is paying 2/3 of the $380 rear screen, I pay the rest and the fitting). And then I have to get it tinted (quoted about $80 from Solartint).

I'm hoping to be able to pick up the rear screen, take it to Solartint, then take it back to NCM to have it installed. That would be much easier for the guy doing the tinting I would think.

.wook

After you get a new rear windscreen put in it has to sit for 48 hours before any tinting can be done.

After you get a new rear windscreen put in it has to sit for 48 hours before any tinting can be done.
That's another reason to get it tinted before it is installed. I just hope they will let me take it and then bring it back.

.wook

I had the rear screen installed yesterday... ended up costing me $165.10 (not bad for a $380 part, not good for something that should have been fixed under warranty). Anyway, the new seal is sooo different from the crappy grey rubber seal. I'm kinda annoyed that the window is so smudged and dirty, but I'll clean that before it gets tinted (hopefully Saturday morning).

The result: it still creaks a bit with chassis flex, but hardly noticable. I have been driving with the radio turned off (trying to hear if it's fixed), and have only heard it creak a few times, which is nice compared to how it was before. If it starts getting worse before I get it tinted I will take it back and complain.

I never realised how much difference 35% tinting makes, especially at night. Headlights are now super bright in my rearview!!

peace,
.wook