Rear wheel bent

[Shadow Realm]

A Vibe just came into our service dept with the right rear rim and tire bent about 25 degrees. He said that he hit the curb at his house and that it is a factory defect on the car. I noticed that there was some long horizantal yellow scratches on the rim and bumper. Sorry that I don't have any pictures. Hopefullly I have described it well enough.Doesn't seem possible that it was from his house. It more likely was a gas station barricade that he backed into trying to get to the pump. He's trying to get the warranty to cover it but I think his deductible should. What do you all think? Defect or personal damage?When I find out the outcome I will post more about this. it should be interesting if the warranty covers it. Personally I think he is out about $500 of his own money!

[PBFlash]

Sounds like personal damage to me. If he hit a curb, he did the damage. It could only be a defect if it happened under normal driving circumstances. Unless hitting a curb is considered normal.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

It sounds more like an accident than a warranty issue.

[MA-VIBE-FAN]

Since "collision damage" and "driving over curbs" are listed in the warranty booklet as NOT COVERED, why is there a question? What does he claim the defect is? Does he think the car should have taken the hit with no damage? Better get his credit card authorized for a big repair.

[baltimore17]

I curbed a wheel the other day. Just a glancing swipe and was gratified to see very little permanant marking. To bend it that much sure doesn't sound like a minor incident. Ask him if he gets up to 65 MPH in his driveway.

[Shadow Realm]

The guy is full of sh**. He said he was doing 4 MPH. I think he slammed it into the poll at the gas station. He was probably smokin crack too It's good to know that you all are smart and would never do this to your vibes I wish I had my camera. It looked pretty bad to me. It looked like someone in a yellow car ran down the rear side of his Vibe. By the way, I forgot to mention that it was an AWD model too. What I have found out is that he bent the upper control arm and the bumper needs to be replaced too or at least fixed. They quoted him $782 to fix what was wrong. Good thing is about that is he will only have to pay$500 for his deductable:L)

[Mr. Poopypants]

NOT a warranty replacement, he should fork out the cash for driving like an idiot.

[Triton]

Definately not warranty replacement. He screwed up and wants someone else to pay for his carelessness.

[Shadow Realm]

You all should be service advisors...That's exactly what we told him

[NY Pete]

If it was $782 to fix it or $500 insurance deductible, I'd just pay the $782 out of pocket... saving $282 by filing an insurance claim is only going to hurt him later when he has another minor incident and they drop his insurance or jack it up and put him in a "risk pool". Personally, whacking a wheel that bad I'd see as a sign from above to get myself some nice aftermarket rims!!! But then again, I see just about everything as a sign from above to get aftermarket rims...

[shenandoah24]

I just can't believe that he had the balls to say it was a defect. Some people surprise me. Dishonesty never pays off. This case is a prime example---He's been out the time at the dealer and you all know that he is a moron now. So next time he brings it to you for anything, you will all be laughing at him behind his back and saying--"oh yeah that's the dip**** that can't drive".