I have a question about warranty and the dealership. I just wanted to hear what you guys thought about the issue...

Last Friday, I took my car in for a oil change and also because the battery light came on on the dash board. They called and told me that my battery was weak and needs replacement. They charged me $105 including parts and labor, just for the battery replacement.

But that night, when I was going out for dinner the light came on, and again the next morning. So I take the car back in and ask them to check it out. They call me saying that my alternator is bad and they will replace it under warranty.

My question is, should I got a refund or have the charges covered under warranty for the battery? I've had my car for 3 years now. No aftermarket sound system or any overuse of the battery. And even the dealership agrees that the alternator probably caused the weakening of the battery. If the alternator has malfunctioned and is replaced under warranty, shouldn't other parts that the alternator has caused to malfunction be fixed under warranty as well?

 

Wouldnt hurt to ask the dealer

 

Sounds too logical... but let us know what you find out

 

I'd say try. I would assume they would fight you, but...do it for principle at least.

 

they'll probably fight you on it.
if the alternator was going out, your battery was being strained pretty badly so I'm not really sure you want that battery back.

Most batteries aren't designed for that kind of work.

 

The battery light on the dash does not actually tell the condition of the battery. It tells the condition of the charging system. They screwed up from the start.

Ken

 

So you're in SJ - what stealership? Oak Tree or Capitol? They are both owned by the same company.

I would really recommend Paul at Rotosport in Santa Clara for work other than that covered by warranty. He has other fans on this board too.

 

I'd try to at least get reimbursed(like Jedi said you don't want the old one back) but if not I wouldn't make that big of a deal out of it

 

Update on the issue:

Today I went back to pick my car up (Was in the dealership from Saturday to Wednesday because they could not order the parts on the weekends and I could not pick it up yesterday when it was ready) and asked for reimbursement. They argued that the battery is pro-rated and Mazda does not have responsibility of the battery after 1 year of sale. I was tired of arguing and they seemed like they were not gonna give up. So I said forget it and came home.

30 minutes later, they call me and say that the warranty department has decided to reimburse me for the battery out of good will and for customer satisfaction. And they asked me to give them a 10 when Mazda calls me about service.

So in the end, I got reimbursed and I'm happy.
Thanks for the replies guys.

 

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .... and if you hadn't fought you would be out that money.

But what it really boils down to is that when you initially took the car in and they said it was the battery when infact it was the alternator, that shows that they didn't do their job correctly the first time..... i say take the money and give them a 5.... explain what happened.