View Full Version : Dealer Says No Fix On Bumper Cover Fitment Issues
bumperquip
22-06-07, 07:20 PM
Just got back from my local dealer.
Took my vehicle in to have my front and rear bumper cover misalignment issues looked at and hopefully addressed.
Dealer rep said "no go". Said the misalignment was acceptable by Saab standards ansd that they would have no way of making any fixes.
Other than raising cane with SaabUSA, which I will be doing immedaitely subsequent to the submittal of this thread, do you guys have any advice for me in attempting to get this matter taken care of?
SaabScott
22-06-07, 07:40 PM
Can you post some pictures so that we can see what you have issue with?
The Alchemist
22-06-07, 09:04 PM
Yeah, I'm not sure what alignment issues you are having. Our front bumper seems to fit pretty well, but maybe I've just overlooked something.
I know when we took delivery, the silver lip at the bottom was coming off and the dealer ordered a new one and installed it pretty quickly, no questions asked.
bumperquip
22-06-07, 11:12 PM
Please disregard all of the Luv Bug debris... I live in Florida and it's June.
Issue #1 - Front Cover:
Note how cover is dropped and recessed. Headlight has the appearance of protruding with cover not fitting flush.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/bumperquip/DrvHeadlight.jpg
Note here the entirety of the inner edge of the headlight is exposed.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/bumperquip/DrvHeadlight2.jpg
Issue #2 - Rear Cover:
Note how cover does not align with taillight edge.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/bumperquip/PassTaillight.jpg
Note here how cover protudes beyond dimension of taillight and rear quarter panel. That "ledge" you see is wide enough that I can lay a ball point pen or a drinking straw on it.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/bumperquip/PassRear.jpg
Soli Europa
23-06-07, 01:34 AM
"Note here how cover protudes beyond dimension of taillight and rear quarter panel. That "ledge" you see is wide enough that I can lay a ball point pen or a drinking straw on it."
Fine American craftsmanship :roll: That shold have never left the factory that way. Those Kind of panel gaps (visable from otter space) probably go unnoticed on a Chevrolet - but they are a real eyesore for a discerning SAAB driver.
Best wishes for a resolution - be persistent and escalate your case.
Butters
23-06-07, 10:03 AM
My '03 9-5 SC had similar bumper issues. Fine Swedish craftmanship. Quality people build quality cars...
The issue is not with the people who physically build the car. The problem is management. They set the standards. That is why Saab still has a long way to before it is considered a luxury/premium brand for real.
Soli Europa
23-06-07, 10:23 AM
My '03 9-5 SC had similar bumper issues. Fine Swedish craftmanship. Quality people build quality cars...
The issue is not with the people who physically build the car. The problem is management. They set the standards. That is why Saab still has a long way to before it is considered a luxury/premium brand for real.
Well said Butters- this is clearly a leadership issue and SAAB is lagging behid it's competitors. I have been directly involved in the auto industry here in the US and through experience I have found that the cars built here in the US vs. Europe/Asia have been wanting in quality - case in point the Honda Accord - Japaneese vs. Marysville Ohio - Japan wins hands down. The VW Rabbit (Golf) built in Westmoreland, PA vs. Wolfsburg = no comparison Germany wins hands down and Westmoreland is extinct. I would even go as far to say that in general the fit and finsh of European made cars exceeds thier 'Big 3" counterparts. Of couse the Asian (Japaneese) cars seem to trump them all. (Even though I find Asian cars to be rather boring)
bumperquip
23-06-07, 12:46 PM
Update:
Contacted Saab USA Customer Care.
After explaining my complaint and the steps I'd taken so far, the Saab rep, while I was on the phone, attempted to contact the dealer rep I spoke to. No luck.
It was then explained to me that if the dealer told me that the flaws observed were determined to be within Saab's criteria for acceptablity, then they are within Saab's criteria for acceptability as the dealer is charged with the intepretation and application of those acceptability criteria.
I was encouraged by Saab USA to either speak to the service manager at that same dealer or go to a different dealer.
Anybody got any advice?
I'm hearing, based on the comments posted subsequent to my posting of photos, that you all agree the mis-alignment issues on my truck are unacceptable.
Butters
23-06-07, 03:59 PM
Update:
Contacted Saab USA Customer Care.
After explaining my complaint and the steps I'd taken so far, the Saab rep, while I was on the phone, attempted to contact the dealer rep I spoke to. No luck.
It was then explained to me that if the dealer told me that the flaws observed were determined to be within Saab's criteria for acceptablity, then they are within Saab's criteria for acceptability as the dealer is charged with the intepretation and application of those acceptability criteria.
I was encouraged by Saab USA to either speak to the service manager at that same dealer or go to a different dealer.
Anybody got any advice?
I'm hearing, based on the comments posted subsequent to my posting of photos, that you all agree the mis-alignment issues on my truck are unacceptable.
I know Miami Herald has something they call Action Line, where they help people with cases like this sometimes (a reader had similar problems with a Lexus dealer). Maybe Tampa Tribune has something similar. Companies usually don't like bad press.
bumperquip
23-06-07, 09:14 PM
Maybe Tampa Tribune has something similar. Companies usually don't like bad press.
Nice idea...
jgmiller
25-06-07, 05:01 AM
If there is another dealer near you go there. I've never tried it with GM/Saab but if you can get the name of the district manager and bug them they should be able to order the dealer to fix it. We've done this with a few other manufacturers and it does work. My wife's old Tiburon had a weird electrical problem when it had about 80,000 miles on it and the dealer didn't want to work on it under the factory extended warranty. A few calls to regional manager lead to us visiting the dealer at the same time the manager did where she ordered them to fix everything that was wrong with the car. By the time the dealer had finished it had a new alternator (the source of the problem), new struts, new battery, new motors mounts and few other minor things, all for free.
While this won't help you I had a minor bumper corner misalinged on my 9-7X and the dealer here (SAAB of Santa Ana) replaced the entire bumper and gave me a loaner while the replacement was being color matched and painted.
chiller
25-06-07, 02:19 PM
interesting, we had a gap in our bumper as well, the driver side corner looked like it protruded further out then anything, dealer fixed that (we noticed it a few days after picking up the truck)
the rear bumper was also misaligned and about what you have on yours...it didn't stick out further, it just hung a bit lower, and they fixed that as well...replaced a bunch of mounting tabs they said...
all fixed under warranty
bumperquip
25-06-07, 04:16 PM
First, I'm planning to talk to the service manager at my local dealer.
If that doesn't work, then I'll make the rounds until I find the anwer that I want.
They fixed mine at no cost. I pointed it out before I took delievery of it. Maybe because you purchased it used, that has a bearing on their decision, especially if you did not purchase it from them.