Ok, I need some advice, suggestions, and guidance on this issue as I am not sure what to do, short of hiring an attorney.

Long story short: I purchased my JK on 8/25 (just 2 weeks ago) from a dealer about 90 miles from my home. It is a 2008 Certified Pre-Owned Wrangler X purchased with 39,500 miles. The day after purchase, I discover it needs an oil change. After the oil gets changed, I discover that the differential fluid has not been changed and have that done as well. Then, I discover that the tires on the Jeep are the original stock tires with now 40k miles on them and are at or less than 4/32" tread life. The outside of the tire is more worn than the inside. So, I go today and have 4 brand new tires put on and take it to a dealer for an alignment. Not only do they find that the alignment is off, but that the rear brakes are gone, and I mean completely worn, down to the plate. Also, the rear wiper (hard top) is missing a blade and the whole assembly must be replaced.

So, my Certified Pre-Owned vehicle has cost me $180 (oil and differential service), $793 (new tires), $90 (alignment), $330 (rear brake job), and $70 (rear wiper assembly). So we are looking at $1500 in money out of my pocket in 2 weeks of ownership. Naturally, I called the dealer where I purchased the car (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealer) and they look up my info while I am bitching. The guy has the nerve to not only admit to me that the vehicle had just come in on a trade, but that they never inspected it! It never went through the Certified Pre-Owned inspection process because "I bought it too fast". Also, due to credit issues, he states that "the only person who made money on this deal was the lender". So, "there is no money left to fix anything on the Jeep". Because they "had to work so hard to get me financed, there is nothing he can do".

I couldn't believe it. I tried to argue that my credit and financing had nothing to do with them failing to inspect the vehicle as advertised, but he refused to see it my way. I then called the 1-800 Jeep customer service number and was told that this is a dealer dispute and they can do nothing to help. I was hung up on after I became irate. The guy from the dealer called back and said that his "boss" said they should take a look at the brakes and I can bring it in. I told him I wasn't driving 90 miles with no rear brakes and that it could get repaired at my local dealer. He refused, stating "we are not paying another dealer to do the work".

I paid the local dealer the money to get the brakes fixed ASAP. Based on my knowledge of the law, they have a material misrepresentation of their product, based on false advertisement and flat out fraud. In addition, I feel I have a negligence case since the brakes and nearly bald tires could be a safety issue. The foundation for this is that they advertised the vehicle as being Certified Pre-Owned, which includes the warranty and their 125 point inspection. Any reasonable person (consumer) would believe that the vehicle not only was inspected but passed this inspection.

Can anyone offer any advice or ideas? Has anyone been down a similar path with Chrysler? I appreciate you reading the lengthy post and any help you can provide. Thank you!

 

Dude... I know you don't want to hear this... but "Buyer beware." You probably bought "As Is" with warranty for new things that break. That is shadey though

 

Did you even look at the vehicle prior to purchasing it? Pull the dipstick, check the tires, look at the rotors???? CPO is still a 'used' vehicle and as in purchasing anything else, use due diligence and let the buyer beware.

 

I don't believe this is a simple case of buyer beware. The fact is that they falsely advertised the cpo status of the vehicle. I think there is more to it than buyer beware. If it wasn't cpo then yes since they make no promises or guarantees in those used car deals. In a cpo case they are promising an inspection. And not to sound snarky but I would appreciate comments related to the issue and solution and not my ignorance in mechanical inspection.

 

Just wanted to clarify that these are not new things that broke. These are things that were broken but promised to meet a certain standard.

 

Go online to your state's DMV. Their website should direct you to all of your state's laws related to the sale of new and used vehicles by a dealership. Pay particular attention to any law related to "unfair business practices" or "false/deceptive/misleading" advertising. Negligence is a huge stretch in my opinion, but you might have a pretty good argument for fraudulent inducement or misrepresentation related to the advertising.

In most states, the laws that apply to dealer used car sales are much different than the "buyer beware" private party sales laws. Again, I think your best bet relates to the advertising.

 

I can certainly understand your frustration, but fact of the matter is, CPO or not, you dont just walk into a dealership point at the vehicle and pay for it. Everything except the thread of the tires I can understand you had no way of knowing....but if before you sign the papers you dont agree upon certain things with the dealer (i.e. new tires, free oil changes for 6 months, ect. ), then they dont owe you anything CPO or not. Everything wrong the the Jeep is a result of normal use on a used vehicle. I bought my 08 X at a place in St Charles IL. that only sold auction cars. I knew exactly what I wanted and I knew exactly what he had with no warrenties implied. Got mine for a steal and did the normal maintenance that I knew I would have to do upon purchase.

 

Get a lawyer bud!! They lied to you about it being CPO'd!! That's fuct up!! I'd go after them for all I could get.. Atleast get your $1500 back, then let the shark (lawyer) push for a service plan or Mopar $$ for mods.. Good luck!!

 

What exactly does CPO get you? When I bought my Porsche it was certified which meant a factory 3 year bumper-to-bumper warranty. If anything went wrong it was covered immediately. If your CPO status gives you that, then you might have some recourse. Get a copy of their CPO inspection criteria and if it says "check fluids, check brakes, check tires, check alignment,...." then you can likely prove that the inspection wasn't done.

All that said, I agree with the previous posts, as the buyer the onus is on you to look at the brake components, certainly tire treads and other visible or obvious issues. If you haven't go to the dealership and sit down with the manager and discuss the issue politely and calmly and you'll likely get them to help you out. Too many people call on the phone (phone courage) and start threatening or yelling or cursing or being pretty rude (no indication you did this) and the dealership won't help. If that doesn't work check with your Attorney General's office about consumer protection and see if they can help. Getting an attorney will cost more than the repairs you've already paid for. Good Luck.

 

After reading your story i think you have a basis to file a grievence. My sister had something similar happen to her when she bought her house, things the inspector failed to find. My sister was pretty much eat a dead end like you when i told her to file a complaint with the Texas Attorney Generals office. The Tx Att Gen office has a department that specifically deals with bad business practice. Long story short my sister told the realtor that was giving her crap that she is filling a complaint with the Tx Att Gen office and got everything fixed within a week.

My suggestion to you is that you should look up online at your states attorney general office and get the necceassary forms to file a complaint. Just be aware that you will have a fight on your hand because you did by the vehilce used and even if it is pre cert'd there is the" as is" clause. Your job would be to prove that they failed to give it the proper inspection to fix hazardous defects and preform the proper safety inspection like the brakes, all the other stuff like the windshield wipers and the tires will be seen as regular maintenace. Issues like that will not be waranted a compensation because of the "as is" clause, but you can argue the point of the brakes as a safety hazard and that the dealership knowningly and recklessly put your life in danger; that would and should be your agruement.