Lithia Dodge - Anchorage, AK

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The most recent reports are at the top of the list; the oldest are at the bottom.

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Poor, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Maybe,
Long story made short, two dealerships involved. Altman Dodge in SC, which will also be posted and Lithia Dodge in Alaska. Originally had problems with the transmission while still under warranty while living in SC. Moved to AK and pulled a 3000 lb trailer. Transmission overheated driving through TX (in November in case you're wondering) and check engine light came on. Transmission fluid changed and codes pulled, showed TCC controller/OD solenoid ($145). No biggie at the time, wasn't using OD at the time and transmission apart from dropping out of OD at random times when I wasn't pulling my trailer. Got vehicle winterized in Washington, made it to AK fine then had to get transmission fixed to pass IM tests. Took vehicle to Lithia and although I had the paperwork stating what codes were originally pulled Dodge refused to look at it until they performed their own stall test ($115). Called Dodge corporate and explained my dilemma, I had had my truck inspected in SC for the same problem while it was still under warranty. Corporate explained they would have to know exactly why the transmission is having problems so they would have to do an inspection on the tranny ($600). Pulled my transmission and explained that I had somehow basically burned up my transmission and it would need to be replaced. Corporate then decided to tell me that they wouldn't help cover any of the cost due to me not getting the transmission serviced at 30,000. When I went back to Lithia the final price for the transmission itself was tallied up to be $3500. I tactfully told them where they could stick their quote and told them I was getting it taken somewhere else to get the work done. BTW, the $600 for the teardown also included the reinstallation of the transmission.
So after much arguing I paid $600 for the teardown and they tossed my transmission into the back of my truck and told me to call a tow truck. Took over two weeks to do what they said would be done in one also and rental cars aren't exactly cheap. Anyway, took my truck elsewhere and had the transmission replaced (not rebuilt like Dodge wanted) for $1300 less. Problem with all of this is that now, 10 months later, my truck is basically sitting dead in the driveway awaiting yet another trip to the transmission shop. Apparently when they tore down my transmission they failed to properly diagnose what caused my transmission to fail in the first place (I believe they assumed it was operator error). Initial transmission problems, check engine light and failing 2nd gear. New transmission problems, erratic shifting, grinding noises, delayed shifting, power loss, and imagine this... no check engine light. So more than likely my next posting will be for Anchorage Dodge, can't wait to see the results for this (Guessing around $6000 total transmission work for a $16,000 truck).
Submitted by: Chris Anderson            cjanderson_1978[a]yahoo.com
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=2004, Date report submitted: Oct 28 22:07:54 EDT 2004

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Good, Parts=Good, bought there=No, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
I have a 2002 Ram 1500. I have been impressed with the parts department. They have had many items in stock and ordering has been a painless affair. I took the truck to the service department for an alignment and tranny service. Things went well, vehicle was returned to me quickly and they automatically replaced a tie rod end under warranty when they found it was bad. No complaints at this point.
Number of dealership visits=5, Last visit date=10-10-03, Date report submitted: Oct 30 20:43:04 EST 2003

Sales=Avoid, Service=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No,
They screwed me on my Dodge. They have a $2,999 mark up. I talked to the sales manager and we had an agreement on a price for the truck $24***. I bought the truck for $30,***. With 6,500 down it came to $24*** they didn't go by there word. They F**king suck. Never go there.
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=11-22-02, Date report submitted: 26 Mar 2003 15:34

Sales=Fair, Service=Don't Know,
Bought a 2002 Ram 2500 there. Other than the standard salesperson-salesmanager game, the buying process was good. I haven't had any experience with the service department yet, but the sales department was much better than the other dealership.
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=3/30/02, Date report submitted: 14 Jan 2003

Sales=Good, Service=Avoid,
Took my 01' in for sloppy steering. Previously had a steering box replace at Anchorage Chrysler Dodge about 9 months prior. When I took it to Lithia the first time they replace almost every moving part for the steering. Gear box again, drag link, tie rod,track bar, and steering damper. I drove it and a few days later called them back and said that it still feels loose. I'm over steering the truck like an old farm tractor. They said bring it back in and I did. They told me that everything was in spec. I asked the mechanic about the ball joints since they moved a little and to show me the specs and he got pissed off that I question his mechanical ability. Said he had been working on front ends for 12 years. While I was waiting in the waiting area they purposely put 2 vehicles on lifts next to my truck that no doubt had bad ball joints. They told me that if I get a second opinion then they would change the ball joints. And that I did. That same day I went to Alaska spring to have the mechanics look at it there. A mechanic with 30 years experience on front ends said that if it was up to him that he would change the ball joints. I had him call the service manager at Lithia Dodge Chrysler (First name Lenny). I therefore went back to Lithia and they said that they had to call the district manager and talk to him about it. About a week later the service manager called me up and said here's the deal. If the we change the ball joints and that solves your problem then you pay so much and we would pay so much. If that doesn't solve your problem the you pay the full cost of the labor and parts. I told them to stick it up there a$$ and have not yet been back to them nor will I go back. Bad business to say you will do one thing and then back out of it later on. It ended up being a track bar which the just put a new one in. I started looking for aftermarket products to help my steering problems. I went for a Luke's Link. It Sucked! Yes I am bashing Luke's non-working links! Just recently bought a DT track bar from DT Fabrications. I'm totally happy with it and think that it. Will last a hell of a lot longer than a cheap dodge product that there making money off of! And they wonder why there getting sued for dangerous accidents they didn't have to happen cause of faulty parts! Buts that's just my 2 cents and many Bitches worth! Lenny and his mechanics love beatin ya around the Bush!
Michael Irish      Crazyboycustoms@aol.com
Number of dealership visits=3, Last visit date=Jan 02, Date report submitted: 19 Nov 2002

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Poor,
Brand new dealer - opened Sept. 01. Brought my '97 in to have throttle control rod replaced. They were unaware of the 100,000 mile Cummins warranty, had to order the part. When it came and was installed, adjustment was not done correctly, and then they charged me $80 to turn up the idle speed! I took the truck home, and turned the idle back down. Truck still is slow to drop into overdrive because of misadjustment of control rod. Maybe they'll get better over time.....  
Date report submitted: 09 Dec 2001

Dealership Rating:
	Good sales department, good service
	Fair sales, fair service
	Conflicting or not enough information
	Poor Service or Poor Sales Department
	Avoid like the plague!!
	Don't Know or No Experience

Last page update: March 28, 2007