My daughter started her freshman year at Texas Tech (following her father and two uncles there) yesterday. She has 2008 Dodge Charger which would not start after parking in dorm parking lot. She had it towed to Phillips Automotive on 82nd Street for repair. The owner there told her that the ignition switch was the fault and that it was under recall. Also the left side airbag was also under recall and needed to be repaired. We never received notice of these recalls. He recommended taking the car to Dodge dealership for repair as it was under recall. He even verified this with local Dodge dealership. The car was towed to one of the two Lubbock Dodge dealerships. The airbag was repaired under recall to be paid by Chrysler. Now they tell us that we need to pay for the repair on the ignition switch (part $300 plus labor) and then seek reimbursement from Dodge. My wife asked them why was the airbag covered without payment but not the ignition switch. The shop manager stated if we wait until Dodge sends a new ignition switch it could be 3 to 4 weeks to come in for the repair. Most people cannot wait 3 to 4 weeks so if we pay for the switch they have in stock, it can be fixed immediately then we can submit invoice to Dodge for reimbursement. We have verified the recall with other Dodge dealership. (We have been told both Dodge dealerships in Lubbock belong to same owners and we are concerned about repairs done by either now that we are questioning their services.) We have had the car towed twice now, first to Phillips Automotive where they were honest and told us about the recall, then to the local Dodge dealership. Our daughter needs the car but it sounds like the local dealership has us and we have to pay to get the car fixed and hope someday in my daughter's lifetime we would be reimbursed. Our other option is to tow the car to another Dodge dealership and have the repair done. Does anyone have any information about a reputable Dodge dealership in Lubbock or nearby that we can get the car towed to (third towing) so we can get this covered recall repair done or who we might speak to with Dodge? My daughter and her parents would appreciate the help.
