Do owners have to pay car dealership for recall repairs?

[debodun]

I received a recall notice on my car that said to call an authorized repair center (i.e. dealership garage) to schedule an appointment. When I did, the person I spoke with said that recall repairs are "drop-offs" (i.e. the customer has to drop the vehicle off and plan on leaving it for the day). I told her that wouldn't work for me and I'd have to wait for my car. She said "Then you'll have to make a scheduled appointment." and I did. When the repairs were done, I thought I could just leave, but the service clerk said I owed them $738.64. I remarked that I thought recall repairs were supposed to be done at no cost to the owner. He said because I had a "scheduled" appointment, I had to pay. I refused to pay and used my spare key to drive home. Does what the service clerk said sound bogus to you?

 

[Pappy]

Sounds fishy to me. What's the difference whether you make an appt. or drop it off. It's still a recall. I've made appt to have recalls done and never paid for them.

 

[jujube]

I've always made appointments for my recalls and never been charged for them. Obviously, the dealership didn't call the cops when you drove off, which tells me they know they didn't have a leg to stand on about charging you for the recall. If it looks like a fish and smells like a fish then it's probably fishy.

 

[QuickSilver]

I never have been.. and I have always had the work done with a scheduled appointment.. Never owed a cent.

 

[NancyNGA]

If they ever try to collect, call the car manufacturer and report it.

 

[Mrs. Robinson]

While recall repairs are supposed to be done at no cost to you,it has been my experience that the dealers service dept. always tries to get you to have other,none recall,repairs done at the same time. Or at the very least,an oil change. I`m wondering if they did some other repairs while it was there and are trying to charge you for them-which,of course,is not legal,unless you signed for or gave a verbal OK for them.

 

[AZ Jim]

I had two recalls, no charge and I had scheduled appointments.

 

[imp]

One thing not usually known, is that recall based on Emissions Control Equipment must be performed free of charge through, I believe, the first 100,000 miles. imp

 

[fishfulthinking]

perhaps a call to the manufacturer and find out if this is proper protocol.
I have never heard of this and I have one of those Toyota Corollas on the "revolving door recall programs" and never have we had to pay a cent to the dealer.
But then again I am in Canada, could be different.

 

[WhatInThe]

A recall you shouldn't be charged but a recommendation is another story.