power windows on new vibe: what to do about a very poor installation

[gbj]

I just bought a new Vibe 2010 which came without power windows. My wife really wanted it, so we decied to have it installed. The dealer took the car to another garage for the installation, who did an extremely poor job. Not only are the power window control mounted on the existing panel, as opposed to integrated in the door panel, the steering wheel was put on skew and is squeeking now, the back door does not lock any longer, and the finishing is amateur work. Lets just say, I don't think anyone would buy this car new. What can I and should I do about this?

[scherry2]

take it back and complain. why didn't you look for one with what you wanted in the first place?

[djkeev]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sadly, a fair quantity of after market is simply not that good of a product.
I almost NEVER let anyone do anything to my car. Why? what you just lived through. It is amazing how many unqualified people are out there getting paid to screw up people's cars! They scratch things, they leave screws out, they break off plastic tabs, they install things crooked, etc. Even my State Inspection Sticker (put on by my dealership) has the numbers affixed on the sticker crooked and then the entire sticker is mounted to my glass crooked! I have a crooked number on a crooked sticker and it's right in front of the driver so I see it every time I drive the car!
I don't even like having tires put on or balanced! If I can do it myself (which is 99 % of what need done), I make the time and do it.

Did your dealer tell you it would be factory components installed or did he say it would be an aftermarket unit?
Most likely he didn't say.
None the less, a bad job is a bad job. Your dealer handled the transaction so the blame does fall on their shoulders.
I'd have them remove the units and put the car back to crank style windows and replace the damaged door panels. Get your money back and then you have to decide to stay with the crank or to have a power window kit properly installed by someone qualified.
To do it right you'd have to order the electric window door panels, the switch assemblies, the switch surrounds and such. It would be fairly expensive to do.
Sadly, I'd live with the crank option knowing the alternative.

I agree, If I were shopping for a car and came upon one with poorly installed after market power windows, I'd pass and move onto another.

I'm afraid you've got a fight on your hands and aggravation ahead of you not to mention the investment of a huge block of your time that you will never get back.

Sadly, if you wanted power windows, you should have purchased a new car with them. It isn't like a fog light or radio that you can easily add on later.
Then again you may have been misled by your salesman that it WAS that easy to do. If so..... he's a schmuck!

Dave

[lovemyraffe]

Take it back to the dealer and complain. They should take care of the problem. If they don't, you can always contact the Better Business Bureau.

[jake75]

In my experience and opinion the Better Business Bureau is merely a stooge for the businesses that pay them dues. But try anyway.

[Houston]

If the dealer doesn't do you right, I agree about contacting the BBB. They do investigate and although not all companies respond to the BBB, your complaint does at least go on the company's info as a complaint about their services. Anybody who checks will see your complaint, which is an incentive for the company to take care of you. The last thing a car company wants the public to see is a complaint about them.

[joatmon]

Take it to the dealer and complain

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »

why didn't you look for one with what you wanted in the first place?

When I bought mine, I had external influences that put a short fuse on muying a car, and at that time, there were no 5-speed Vibes within 400 miles that also had the power package, and I made the manual tranny the priority. Hindsight tells me I hsould have gotten an AT with the power package, because of the troubles I had with the Toyota manual tranny reliability and how much I've missed the power package. At this point it's not worth it to me to have it installed, but the next one, the PW/PL/Cruise will be on the required feature list.

[jake75]

I wonder what it would cost for the manufacturer to make the power package standard. There has to be considerable savings in simplifying the manufacturing routine. Instead of $945 msrp/$832 invoice do you think it could get down to half that?

[star_deceiver]

Sometimes you get what you pay for, sometimes you get screwed, and sometimes the wife has to suffer with the inconvenience of manual crank windows.

[lemay.08]

I agree with djkeev. Never let anyone else touch your car. I had my power lock installed with BestBuy... I still wonder if I made the right choice... I mean they did a good job and everything but I had to watch them doing it for 4 hours! If not, they'll screw up the job by being reckless and not careful. Now and then, since they've done my power lock, my door panel is vibrating. The brackets isn't strongly fix (I can hear it vibrating). But, the plus side is that its convenient having the power package.

Go complaint to your dealership. You must have some kind of warranty.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by lemay.08 »

I agree with djkeev. Never let anyone else touch your car. I had my power lock installed with BestBuy... I still wonder if I made the right choice... I mean they did a good job and everything but I had to watch them doing it for 4 hours! If not, they'll screw up the job by being reckless and not careful. Now and then, since they've done my power lock, my door panel is vibrating. The brackets isn't strongly fix (I can hear it vibrating). But, the plus side is that its convenient having the power package. Go complaint to your dealership. You must have some kind of warranty.

Original post was 9/2009 - any warranty is gone by now.

[lemay.08]

hehe yeah I've notice it AFTER I post it