Technical RECALL: Service Solution for Suspension Springs

[garsenior]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

mine went 2 weeks ago, it hadnt had the recall done, i just called them up, you give them all the car details then they will contact the fiat head office to approve the claim, which they do 9 times out of 10, they replace both springs on mine plus carried out the recall work, they even cleaned it inside and out for me didnt cost a penny.

 

[Stilo_ste]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Garsenior, what age and mileage is yours??

 

[garsenior]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

02 56k

 

[pieandapint]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

so, I just tell the dealer that my spring has snapped and that the recall works hasn't been carried out?

Will they automatically contact fiat to make a claim or do I have to ask them to?

Also, anybody know of a good dealer in the liverpool area who will more than likely get this sorted for me?

My car is a 03 with 28k miles.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Argonought]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

It doesn't have to be a main dealer. Any good competent Fiat garage should be able to handle it (Fiat UK will refund them).

I'd play it by ear and, for an 03 with just 28k, you should get it sorted fairly easily.

 

[Stilo_ste]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Are we saying here that if the recall work hasn't been done and a spring snaps, then Fiat will replace both front spring FOC? Even on cars that are out of warranty?
What about cars out of warranty that haven't had the recall work done, but springs are intact?

Why have I not had recall notice yet?? Weird.

 

[Argonought]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

This seems to be the general experience.

Have a spring fail before being issued with a recall notice and you tend to get at least one spring replaced FOC (parts & labour). I suspect this may not be the case if you simply IGNORE the recall (it's sent recorded).

It seems to be far more difficult to get broken springs replaced FOC after the mod is fitted which is a little puzzling since it should still fall under what Fiat garages refer to as a sympathy claim.

It all comes down to whether you consider it reasonable for a spring to fail within say 4 years. My local Fiat specialist garage would argue it shouldn't and put a claim in (I've seen them do it) but I suppose there must be many dealers who might argue otherwise for whatever reason.

I kinda get the impression that Fiat UK’s likelihood of accepting claims has a lot to do with the labour rates/reputation of the garages concerned in making the claim. Like any company, they don’t like being ripped off either.

 

[pieandapint]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

phoned 2 garages and no luck so far

one said I'd have to pay for it, and the other said I'd have to pay and then write to fiat myself for the refund.

any advice on what I should be saying to get them to sort the whole thing out?

I've been saying that I have a mate who had the same problem who got it sorted and paid for by fiat uk but don't seem to be getting anywhere.

If I end up paying for this myself what are the chances of fiat refunding me the money? Also if I have to apply for the refund can I apply for the other spring that was replaced 7 months ago?

Dave

 

[garsenior]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

I didnt have to say much to get it done, just called them up and said the front spring had just gone on my stilo, and that i was aware that a recall was issued for this problem, they ask if i had the recall work carried out i said no because i have only had it for 4 months, they just said ok leave it with us, they called me back after 10 minutes to book it in for the recall work and replace both front springs.

top garage i have never used them before, but i will be now they even gave it a full valet inside and out.

fiat clemo, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. shame you dont live closer mate, why cant they have the same policy nationwide for this.

 

[T14086]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

..........depends on alot of factors so dont just assume you will get free springs.

 

[pieandapint]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

could do with sorting this asap and am unfortunately limited to local garages as my car is limping around on a broken spring, anybody know any fiat garages local to Liverpool L15 5AD, I can only find dealers and they haven't been much use

Don't fancy going far as doing 30 with a broken spring will be bad enough, nevermind 70.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Argonought]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Remember, you're legally entitled to have the recall mod carried out so if you just turn up with the car then it's pretty much fate accompli.

I suspect you've been turning off dealers by asking for free stuff all the time. They're a business, after all, and if they think they'll never going to make a penny out of you then they're not likely to show much interest are they.

This is why it helps if you already have a (good) relationship with your dealer/garage.

 

[dan-the-man]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

I suspect you've been turning off dealers by asking for free stuff all the time. They're a business, after all, and if they think they'll never going to make a penny out of you then they're not likely to show much interest are they

But wouldn't they still get paid from FIAT instead of the customer though?

 

[Argonought]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

But wouldn't they still get paid from FIAT instead of the customer though?

I'm sure they would but you know what it's like when you rub somebody up the wrong way (sometimes without realizing it).

There must be some reason why he's not getting a bite on this - maybe they're simply really bad dealers

 

[dan-the-man]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Maybe they just can't be bothered with the hassle of waiting for FIAT to pay when it's easier to just get the customer to pay there and then.

 

[T14086]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Maybe they just can't be bothered with the hassle of waiting for FIAT to pay when it's easier to just get the customer to pay there and then.

Its not up to the dealer.Fiat are actually good payers.

 

[PNL]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Its not up to the dealer.Fiat are actually good payers.

Maybe you would like to put a good word in for me then T14 if you can get my money back I'll go half with you

 

[pieandapint]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Looks like i'm going to have to pay for this and try to reclaim from fiat, anybody got any experience of this?

Will I get the money back easily or am I going to ahve to fight for it?

Dave

 

[PNL]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

Looks like i'm going to have to pay for this and try to reclaim from fiat, anybody got any experience of this?

Will I get the money back easily or am I going to ahve to fight for it?

Dave

No and yes .. well in my case it was

 

[STONEACRELAD]

Re: How to get spring replace free of charge?

The recall states that when carrying out the recall and you find a broken spring you should replace both springs, All this will be at no cost to the customer, if you have already paid to have springs replaced (even if non Fiat dealer/parts), take your invoice to the dealer, they will add this to the claim after gaining authorisation from there zone manager(you may not get a full refund,depends on what you had done and what you paid). Have you tried Stoneacre Liverpool 0151 7032888, they will do this for you. Any problems please respond to me..