Delta Auto Sales

Review: I purchased a 2002 Ford Escape on Saturday 3/09/2013 from Delta Auto Sales. When I test drove the vehicle the check engine light was on, I mentioned it to the dealer and the dealer said he was aware and he was sending it through the shop for his mechanic to check and find the problem and fix it, which is why we wouldn't be able to take it for a few hours. We left and the dealer called us about 4-5 hours later and the dealer informed us that it was the oxygen sensors and the problem had been fixed, he told us his mechanic took the oxygen sensors out and looked at them and they were fine. He said he filled the gas tank with premium fuel and that will “cure” the problem. He proceeded to tell us that 9 out of 10 times the problem would not reappear; however if the check engine light were to come back on, to inform him as soon as possible.

We left the dealer on 3/09/2013 around 5:30pm. We live a little over an hour away from the dealership. We arrived home that night and parked the car in the driveway, the next morning 3/10/2013 around 10:00am and the car's steering wheel was vibrating very violently, the engine was making a squeaking noise, the car was producing a smell of sulfur, the engine also sounded like it was overworking and was about to die, the check engine light was also on and flickering on and off. I called my mechanic, which is down the road from my house and made an appointment for there first available which was 3/12/2013 at 2:00pm. I also sent an email to the dealer on 3/11/2013 and informed him what was going on and that I had an appointment with the mechanic. The mechanics at the shop informed me they checked the car and hooked it up to their machine to check the readings for the check engine light. Their findings were that the front 3 cylinder coils of the engine were bad and were misfiring. I asked the mechanic if it was safe to drive, because my plan was to take it back to the dealer so he could fix it, the mechanic informed me it was not only unsafe to drive, but it would die on me and would not make it more than probably a 10 minute drive. Therefore I had no choice, but to get it fixed, the total amount was $530.00, I called the dealer right after I spoke with the mechanic and informed him of what they said and the amount. The dealer said, "let me talk to my mechanic and get a quote and I'll call you back." I did not receive a call back from him at all that day, so the next morning I called and his wife answered and said he would call me back shortly he was busy that was at about 11:00am I waited until 4:00pm and then called again and his wife answered again and said that he attempted to call me and got voicemail, I had my phone on me all day and had no missed calls from him. I left my number again and waited for a call back. Finally I received a call back and again explained to him what the mechanic said and what happened and he tried to tell me his mechanic gave him a price of $200, however each cylinder coil for the engine is $100 each, I needed 3 so that’s $300 just in parts, plus $50 for the check engine test, and the labor and tax, etc. He proceeded to tell me he could possibly give me $200 but no more than that. I explained to him that I believe its BEYOND fair that he give me AT LEAST $400, because I should not have to pay out $530 not even 24hours after buying the car. He proceeded to tell me well then he can do nothing for me. My remark to him was "I'd love to get this solved the easy way and not have to go through the court system to do so." The dealer got extremely defensive and hostile and said "you know what I don't like when people bring up the law into my business, because I know the law and we shook hands on this deal." I again informed him I tried to do it the fair and easy way, but it is unfair to me that I have to put out $530 for a car I haven't even owned a week yet. The dealer said "well I have to think about this and put things together and I will call you before Saturday."

The dealer offered $200 and gave us a check for $200. I have spent a total of $530 as of right now on the vehicle. However again 3/16/2013, the check engine light came on and the mechanic told me the catalyst converter is bad and needs to be replaced. The dealer’s mechanic informed us that the check engine light had come on the day we purchased the vehicle and the check said it was the oxygen sensors and his mechanic supposedly pulled out the oxygen sensors and looked at them and said they are fine. I have talked to 3 different mechanics that have all informed me that there is no possible way to look at an oxygen sensor and tell if it is good or bad.

The dealer also informed us that he had put premium gas in the vehicle prior to us leaving and we should do that every so often and that will “fix” the problem, however the mechanics that I have spoke to informed me that, that would not solve the problem it would do nothing but pretty much “hide” the problem for the time being.

Visited [redacted]’s Ford Dealership for service, to get the check engine light diagnosed to find the problem. 3 CAT converters need to be replaced. They gave us an estimate of $4554.77

It has also been discovered that the dealer failed to inform us of the details of the warranty. Also when we contacted the warranty company they have no record of our vehicle. The representative at the warranty company said that they usually have a customers information 3-5 days after the purchase, it has already been 12 days since the purchase.Desired Settlement: I would like either a full refund which would include the amount I paid for the car($4403.50) plus the amount of the warranty($930.00) and the cost of the repair already made to the car($329.25) which comes out to a grand total of $5662.75

OR

payment of the full amount to repair the car which is $4554.77 plus the cost of the repair already made ($329.25) for a grand total of $4884.02.

Business

Response:

{Please see attachment.}

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

My attorney and myself have attempted to contact [redacted] at the number for Delta Auto Sales and he has given us the run around. His response has been "I have to call you back". He told our attorney that he would have his attorney contact him and has yet to do so. [redacted] clearly is avoiding the issue and giving my lawyer and I the run around.

Regards,