Airbag cover replacement -DENIED-

[lcavalletti]

hi there folks, my factory warranty just expired yesterday and before it did i brought it to my local Land rover Dealer, Miramar land rover San Diego. My vehicle has a brand new steering wheel installed 3 months ago with prior owner from prior dealer in LA before i bought it. Although when i took possession of the vehicle last week I noticed the airbag cover was lifting (after driving our first road trip to tahoe). I asked if they would take care of this as it only requires .10 time hours for the tech to replace. today I was denied the replacement even after showing them the TSB from land rover. I was told TSB's are just bulletins for the techs and not recalls, and trim items are not covered after 12K miles or one year. I don't really care about the cover as it does not look that bad, although doesnt look good either, in any case just shows you that buying a car used essentially strips you of any special service repairs. I told him it sounded strange because i though they make money from land rover for any repair, he said they would be charged back for this type of repair (land rover charges them) he also mentioned that if i was the original owner they woudl probably take care of it but since i am not well, essentially bugger off. nice to know they got my back.

 

[JackMac]

Call LRNA customer relations at 1-800-637-6837

This statement doesn't seem right to me "trim items are not covered after 12K miles or one year."

It is not a case of wear & tear, this is a know material defect and should be covered while you are in the warrany period.

 

[roverman]

Call LRNA customer relations at 1-800-637-6837

Complete nonsense. Here, I'll save you some time. "I'm sorry about your problem sir, warranty repair work is at the sole discretion of the dealership. In fact there really is not much of anything we can or will do to help you - ever. I mean, unless you need a tow or something simple like that. Now...is there anything else I can help you with today? OK then thank you, buh bye"

I've even had THEM ask if I bought the car used or new, when told used got the second class treatment as well.

 

[JackMac]

From another related thread, "Normal warranty policy and procedures apply". I would at least try to call them.

I doubt that the dealer has authority to change the OEM warranty period from 48 months down to 12 months as stated in the original post.

 

[ryan-in-oregon]

I got the same response a year ago when I asked about a broken handle on the center arm rest (I ended up disassembling and repairing it my self with a couple of finish nails to replace the defective metal pin from landrover). My airbag cover also has the lift but it really isn't a bother to me so I didn't even try. I think I saw it in the warrenty pamphlet or owners manual too for the 12k 1 year trim.

 

[JackMac]

FWIW, many of us did have it replaced under warranty, and well past the 12 month point.

 

[roverman]

I'd bet it had more to do with you having a good dealership than any influence from LRNA.
My advice to the OP would be to just get used to it being like that and enjoy the truck. Of course now, after reading this post and being reminded of it, mine will probably bug me again, lol.

 

[JackMac]

Here is the full TSB <= clicky, if anyone needs it.

 

[e24kgold]

mine has the same problem. Will an extended warranty through GMAC cover this?

 

[D90]

I had mine denied twice while under warranty by my dealership. Their excuse was that Land Rover was not reimbursing them for the work because it was only cosmetic and not a safety issue. I was told this while my car was in having various trim parts replaced under warranty for premature sun fading. I tried to argue that this was similar to the trim parts they were replacing which were purely cosmetic problems, but they didn't budge.

Now my car is out of warranty and i just try not to look at the airbag anymore.