I have a feeling my dealer is lying

[Devdead]

I have the "Front Assist availability is limited" error and my dealer said that they have to replace the steering wheel to fix it. I agreed but after the first replacement the issue still remained and on top of that the replacement had noticeably worse leather quality and it rattled.

I pointed that out to the dealer but they kept saying that they need more pictures of the error so that they can replace it again, other than that they couldn't find any issues - at the same time they ignored my complaints about the replacement's quality.

I sent additional pictures of the Front Assist error and after a bunch of emails they agreed to replace it again - again ignoring my complaints about the quality.

After i got it replaced again i noticed a couple of bumps in the leather in the exact same places as on the previous steering wheel + the rattling was still there - which made me suspicious about them even making the change. So I took some pictures to compare with old pictures and they look identical to me



I went to another dealer to check the service history and could not see anything registered regarding the latest repair but he said that the system might not be updated yet, so I'mwaiting

what would you do next if you were in my place? If they are indeed lying i don't want to let it go, but at the same time I'm tired and at this point it feels like my car has spent more time at the dealer than with me.

[Dav3smith]

Mark the steering wheel with a UV pen, on the reverse preferably, so you have some evidence and photograph before you send it in to be replaced.

[DrivenToDistraction]

I had that error occasionally in my 8.5 but it was fleeting. It was usually when starting out (for first few miles) on very cold mornings and I assumed it was a front sensor clearing as the car warmed up etc. I assume your message is permanent? Changing the steering wheel still seems a bit odd to me, but I assume the dealer is just "following the algorithm".

[Devdead]

I had that error occasionally in my 8.5 but it was fleeting. It was usually when starting out (for first few miles) on very cold mornings and I assumed it was a front sensor clearing as the car warmed up etc. I assume your message is permanent? Changing the steering wheel still seems a bit odd to me, but I assume the dealer is just "following the algorithm".

My errors started around September / October when it's not that cold. But i started noticing the "cold weather = error" pattern during winter as well. The problem is that they replaced my original steering wheel with a shi**ier version of it already + i was getting even more sensor errors than before

So I pushed for another change hoping that I'll get a better quality one + the sensor issues would be fixed. But now it looks like they're lying and at this point i wish i would have kept my original steering wheel. And I don't want to let it go because the car is not cheap and the steering wheel is the one part that you touch all the time.

[Devdead]

[UPDATE] - i was not crazy, they admired they did not change it. And came up with a stupid story about a misunderstanding with the warranty department

[Exonian]

What a palaver.
Hopefully they will actually make an attempt to fix the problem and try to restore some confidence.

[ajmoir36]

[UPDATE] - i was not crazy, they admired they did not change it. And came up with a stupid story about a misunderstanding with the warranty department

That’s disgusting, I would not be going there again. If they lie about that maybe they don’t change the oil either.

[Devdead]

[UPDATE] - i was not crazy, they admired they did not change it. And came up with a stupid story about a misunderstanding with the warranty department

That’s disgusting, I would not be going there again. If they lie about that maybe they don’t change the oil either.

Exactly my first thoughts as well! Definitely not going there again. And my plans next would be to warn as many people as I can about this dealer and try and see if i maybe use some ChatGPT / lawyer and scare them into getting me a new steering wheel or at least make them think before trying to do this again with another customer

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

I get the frustration and perhaps the dealer has been a bit lenient with the truth which isn’t right.
However, it’s important to maintain a steady hand and focus on getting your car fixed, rather than revenge, driven by an emotional response.
I would either move on to another dealer, or, ask for a scheduled meeting with someone senior in the dealership and have a reasonable, calm conversation outlining your facts and concern.

[Adam T7]

I get the frustration and perhaps the dealer has been a bit lenient with the truth which isn’t right.
However, it’s important to maintain a steady hand and focus on getting your car fixed, rather than revenge, driven by an emotional response.
I would either move on to another dealer, or, ask for a scheduled meeting with someone senior in the dealership and have a reasonable, calm conversation outlining your facts and concern.

Totally agree, getting the issue fixed is the primary objective. We get the occasional AI letter at work, usually always good for a laugh.