Problem getting tether anchors from Dodge

[hartfa]

Hello! Hope everyone is having a great day! I'm hoping someone can help me with my current dilema.

I have a 99 Dodge Ram 1500 quadcab. I am trying to see if Dodge has or can retrofit tether anchors for it. However, when I emailed them, with that very specific question, I got back a nice email telling me to get my carseat checked by a certified technition to ensure it is correctly and safely installed. o_0

(ok, yes, I do that, but that had nothing to do with my question.)

So, I call our Dodge dealer (the one and only in town) and ask the same question. The gentleman behaved as if I asked him if they have a cappachino machine attachment for the dashboard. ("Never heard of it, never seen anything about it in the catalogue. And I'd know if something like that existed.")

So, given that Chrysler doesn't actually read their emails, and the Dodge dealer is not help and not about to look...where do I turn now to find out the answer to my question?

Thanks!
Angie

[wendytthomas]

I'm not sure about the 99 Ram Quad, but call them back and have them refer to Technica Service BUlletin 23-08-00 Rev A. They will install tether anchors in certain older model year free of charge. The part number for 94-01 Ram pick-ups (not sure if this includes the quad, but I think so) is 05017032AA for all three backseat positions.

Wendy

[hartfa]

Thank you SO much! I was afraid this would happen. Glad this resource is available!:thumbsup:

[Jeanum]

To further enlighten the dealership, you could try printing out the .pdf version of the updated Dodge section of the LATCH manual, which refers to the service bulletin for the free retrofitting, and lists the retrofit part numbers:

http://www.saferidenews.com/LATCH_manaul_updates/DODGE_6_07_web.pdf

Sometimes it helps to have something in writing to back up your request and show the dealership a thing or two. ;) Good luck. :)

[TechnoGranola]

And if you emailed the Dodge/Chrysler company, you will never get decent information from them (or any other vehicle manufacturer). The purpose of their customer service department is really to help you find your nearest dealer. I emailed at least 6 different companies when we were vehicle shopping (to check on various thing such as towing information or how many tethers in a vehicle) and I got the same style of response as you, with some saying "check your owner's manual on page X". When I told them I did not have an owner's manual since I was not an owner and needing this info to decide if I wanted to purchase the vehicle, they would just say "talk to your service centre".

[hartfa]

Well, that was less than pleasant. I called back and very nicely provided the informtion. He provided me with a price for the part (very reasonable) and a whopper for installation. When I inquired about the installation, just to be sure, and provided the service bulletin info, he still insisted I must be wrong. When I asked him to please check the service bulletin once more he put me on hold forever. Then came back as told me that only applies if *they* install it. ok, he knew I wanted it installed, that's why he gave me their installation fee!

So I asked , again very nicely, how to go about getting it set up. He was very silent for so long that I thought I'd lost the phone connection! Finally he told me I would have to bring the truck in so they could check it out, then they would keep it, order the part, and when it came in install it! KEEP IT?

And if he's angry that I ask him to do it, I don't know that I'd trust that he did it correctly.

So I am going to print out that bit and see if the Chrysler dealership will do it for me since the Dodge dealership obviously wants nothihg to do with it.

Thank you everyone!

[Kristydrosgers]

How much did he say for the install? I am getting mine done tomorrow. I also talk to talk forever to get them to know what the heck I was talking about.

[hartfa]

He wanted $120 to install, but finally grudgingly conceeded that Chrysler would indeed pay for it.

[Jeanum]

Whew, I'm relieved, and sorry to hear it was such a hassle to convince him.

[Kristydrosgers]

He told me install would only be 80 thats weird I guess different places different prices, I'm a wiener and will probably just pay it, instead of arguing with him

[Jeanum]

Kristy, I would do what the OP did and push for free retrofitting and print out the linked Dodge LATCH manual section to show that you're not supposed to be charged per the service bulletin. For all we know, the dealership might be "double dipping" by charging you and getting reimbursed by the manufacturer. I hope not, but it's not right for you to be charged. :(

[Kristydrosgers]

I am supposed to be over there at 8 in the morning, and with my luck after I argued with them and everything they wouldn't have time to do it or something plus I will have the kids with me, I will print it off and take it but we will see

[amyg530]

OP & PP let me know how it goes, i have a 99 ram and need to go very soon and get mine done, jean, i'll have to print that stuff out b/c i really dont want to pay an arm and a leg to get it done

[Jeanum]

Good luck to all of you, and please update about how it goes at the dealership. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. :)

[ginny4]

i'm having my 3rd row of my dodge van done today (just dropped off) & when i talked to to 2 dealers prior to about the service bulletin he informed me that the last set i got in the 2nd row chryslar only reimbursed for one of them & had to eat the other themselves. so they would have to charge for the 3rd row. for 2 in 3rd row was/is $125 plus tax. so i took him up on offer because it was that or i can't use the regent i just got

[azgirl71]

Sorry all of you had such difficult times. I hope the OP gets hers resolved. There is no reason to keep a persons vehicle while the part is on order. They need to order the part and then have you leave it for a day max. I can only imagine what our body shop would look like if we had all customers drop thier vehicles and waited for parts.

[magoose]

We had our Dodge ram 15 seater van done yrs ago and went through the same dance and song. I let DH deal with it. They finaly agreed to instal two tethers in two slots and first drilled TWICE in the gas tank! They had the nerve to call us and say we had 2 leaks in our gas tank and we had to have it replaced and pay for it. I told DH right aways they did it and in the end they did replace the tank and got the tethers in. Bleh!!!!! I hope your experience goes smoother. It almost sounds like the same people. Sure hope not. Anna

[alaska]

I hope you get this figured out and can find someone to help. I head a bear of a time getting my Dodge dealer to work on my 99 Durango.

What worked for me was calling Diamler-Chrysler. The people there were actually quite helpful - even to the point of calling the dealer for me.

It was all not a happy ending, however - the dealer called and told me the parts were in and he was ready to install, I took the truck in, and it came back with a brand new tether strap on my Regent. That's it. No anchor.

We gave up and bought a Sienna, but that's another story.

[stephanie]

It shouldn't be that difficult...here's what the Buick website says:

Also, your Buick Dealer can install a tether anchor kit (at no charge to you) that will anchor front-facing child seats.

I'm going to attempt to get this done before I get my Nautilus which I'm waiting (impatiently) for from Amazon!

[stephanie]

Oh, forgot to ask: Should I absolutely be using tethors on the two EFT I have now for my 2 yr 3 month old & soon to be 4 yr old?

[Jeanum]

If the kiddos are forward facing and your vehicle is equipped with appropriate factory installed or retrofitted top tether anchors, then it's always advisable to top tether a harnessed carseat. :)

[wendytthomas]

It shouldn't be that difficult...here's what the Buick website says:

Also, your Buick Dealer can install a tether anchor kit (at no charge to you) that will anchor front-facing child seats.

I'm going to attempt to get this done before I get my Nautilus which I'm waiting (impatiently) for from Amazon!

Unfortunately it usually is this difficult. Dealers don't know the first thing about child safety. They don't know what an anchor is, and I can bet they've never installed one. You call them and ask for a part and labor and naturally they're going to charge you for it. To do it pro bono is unheard of. So you're calling them asking for a part they've never heard of based on a bulletin they've probably never seen, and then asking for it for free.

I'd be interested to hear how your experience with Buick goes.

Wendy

[stephanie]

I'll keep you posted. I emailed the Buick dealer here & we'll see how long a reply takes. I have a friend who is the service manager at a local Chevrolet dealership & I'm going to ask him tonight about it & see if he has had people call & ask about anchors. I'm also wondering if I can just buy the anchors & have my husband install them.

[Erika Ruth]

I bumped my post in the install forum, but here is a link to the internal memo, and part numbers you'll need.

http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/neontsbs/2000/23-08-00.pdf

Erika

[Kristydrosgers]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I just wanted to thank everyone . I am usually a wiener and wasn't going to argue with them but I printed it out and told them that dodge emailed it to me lol and that it was supposed to be free, he looked at it and said huh thats it and it didn't cost me a dime!

[azgirl71]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I just wanted to thank everyone . I am usually a wiener and wasn't going to argue with them but I printed it out and told them that dodge emailed it to me lol and that it was supposed to be free, he looked at it and said huh thats it and it didn't cost me a dime!

That is GREAT!!! I guess you found the magic trick to get it done! :thumbsup:

[wendytthomas]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I just wanted to thank everyone . I am usually a wiener and wasn't going to argue with them but I printed it out and told them that dodge emailed it to me lol and that it was supposed to be free, he looked at it and said huh thats it and it didn't cost me a dime!

Excellent!!! LOL I Love your little deception. :-)

Wendy

[Jeanum]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I just wanted to thank everyone . I am usually a wiener and wasn't going to argue with them but I printed it out and told them that dodge emailed it to me lol and that it was supposed to be free, he looked at it and said huh thats it and it didn't cost me a dime!

Yayyy! :D