as (02/17/83)
I would like to inform net.auto of problems we are having with our 1981
Plymouth Horizon (identical to the Dodge Omni) and ask if anyone has
experience or feedback that might help us in deciding what to do next.
The dealer has always been courteous, but there have been some problems that
they have been unable to correct, despite many attempts over the last year
and a half.
We wrote a detailed letter to Chrysler outlining the problems we had and the
repair attempts with the service department. We even sent copies to Lee Iacocca,
who had been advertising the "new" Chrysler Corporation and how they care about
delivering a good product. The "Owner Relations Coordinator" sent back an
insulting form letter which ignored our letters and simply told us to go back to
the dealership. Clearly, they never even read our letter, but simply wanted to
dispose of the situation with minimal effort.
Our next letter was to the state consumer affairs department, which advised us
that we had a good case if we wanted to sue (clearly a major action we would
like to avoid).
The most persistant problem is that the clutch pedal clicks loudly at apparently
random times. This originally began after a clutch pedal adjustment by the
service department. In addition, the clutch cable has been replaced twice by
Chrysler. The second time was at our expense after it snapped while I was
driving it. Luckily no one was hurt. The dealer claimed that a leak in the
battery had dissolved it. Although there was partial warranty for the battery
(that had to be replaced), the "incidental" damage of the clutch cable wasn't
covered.
Soon after the new clutch cable was installed, an old problem returned. At
random times, when we put the car in reverse, a very severe, very loud grinding
noise occurs. When we went back to the dealer, he claimed it was due to "front
wheel drive" and the shorter throw of the transmission into reverse. This sounds
like nonsense to me, especially since the first time I came to him with the same
grinding noise, he replaced the clutch cable (under warranty). The new clutch
cable was the apparent cause of the problem this time.
We heard from the guy who towed us (and other sources) that Horizon clutch
cables snap quite often, and that the clicking of the clutch is a sign of
trouble. Of course the Chrysler people deny this. ("This is the first time I've
seen this problem!") Do any of you have experience with similar products? Are
the problems (clicking clutch and grinding reverse) dangerous situations?
Might they result in serious repairs later? I would like to know more about this
before we waste more of our time trying to get them to do something.
I'll summarize replies and post to the net. Thanks.