Looks like a HS dropout that didn't give a darn did it. Difficult to believe that the shop didn't inspect the job and at least clean it up before letting it go out the door. Definitely contact the GM and service writer and show them their workmanship. Just a pitiful effort on their part. Ed
Dealer installed hitch - hack-job on the bumper notch
- Thread starter CDub125
- Start date
Damn. I ripped into my dealer today for forgetting to wash my car. I hate to think how I'd have reacted to this.
My opinion, that's way too much money for that hitch. Could have gotten your own with wiring for half that price and put it in yourself in an hour or two.
My opinion, that's way too much money for that hitch. Could have gotten your own with wiring for half that price and put it in yourself in an hour or two.
I woul not touch that myself. I would go back, take the service manager out to the car, point out the work, and ask, "is this the quality of work I should expect from this dealership?" Then cross my arms, look at him, and say nothing until he says something acceptable. Agree with earlier poster that it would be better to clean up the existing piece than have them replace it. Another bargaining chip in your pocket is the survey that Mazda sends out to new car customers--my dealership at least is very concerned about anything less than perfect scores on that. If the service manager will not give you satisfaction you could go to the GM, but in any case you would want to find a different place to have your Mazda serviced.
That was egregiously bad work and you have every right to complain. If the service manager is not embarrassed and profusely apologetic then that is a dealership that other potential Mazda buyers should be warned about.
You should also demand the harness, because it's part of the kit and you were charged full price and then some for the full installed kit. Just ensure that the goober who did the hack job on your bumper doesn't do the installation.
That was egregiously bad work and you have every right to complain. If the service manager is not embarrassed and profusely apologetic then that is a dealership that other potential Mazda buyers should be warned about.
You should also demand the harness, because it's part of the kit and you were charged full price and then some for the full installed kit. Just ensure that the goober who did the hack job on your bumper doesn't do the installation.
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I agree, that is unacceptable, especially for $630!
Highly suggest putting in a dispute with your credit card company until they fix it to your satisfaction.
file a BBB complaint, most car dealers will take it seriously
call Mazda to complain how the dealer installed the accessory
there are plenty of weapons at your disposal
let us know how it goes
file a BBB complaint, most car dealers will take it seriously
call Mazda to complain how the dealer installed the accessory
there are plenty of weapons at your disposal
let us know how it goes
- :
- Banned For Being A Troll
I think that they could have installed the hitch with a spacer to make it ride a bit lower and then not cut the bumper at all. What a bunch of nOObs.
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- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
One of the "features" of the Mazda hitch is that it's partly hidden behind the rear valance. Besides, you're not going to get a dealer mechanic to do anything but what the installation instructions call for. Especially on an accessory with some liability attached to it.
It is an embarrassing situation - I like your approach - I've already told the manager that it is unacceptable. I will get a PRO to do this right, it makes me wonder about letting them do something easy like an oil change... I'll have to say that too. Not pleased.
There are several valid paths of complaint, to your point - I will let you all know how this pans out... Spoke to the service manager after I called back, claims they are swamped (when the "talent" on deck is questionable, half of their swamp may be call-backs), but agreed to see the CX-5 on Monday. Fingers crossed gang!
MazdaDriverNJ
Contributor
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- 2024 Mazda CX5 Turbo Premium and
2025 Mazda CX30 Turbo Premium+
I haven't read other replies yet, but my reaction was "are you kidding me??"
First, $630?? Funny thing, just yesterday I was talking to U-haul about a hitch (class 2, 1 1/4", just for bike rack) - and their quote was $230 installed. I am not sure what size and class this hitch is, but still, $630 seems steep.
Second, are you kidding me?? Who measures like this? The same U-haul guy told me my bumper will not be touched! Yep, I agree - they owe you a bumper and a better job on that hitch. I would complain to the service manager, then the sales manager, then the dealership manager. This is a brand new car they butchered!
First, $630?? Funny thing, just yesterday I was talking to U-haul about a hitch (class 2, 1 1/4", just for bike rack) - and their quote was $230 installed. I am not sure what size and class this hitch is, but still, $630 seems steep.
Second, are you kidding me?? Who measures like this? The same U-haul guy told me my bumper will not be touched! Yep, I agree - they owe you a bumper and a better job on that hitch. I would complain to the service manager, then the sales manager, then the dealership manager. This is a brand new car they butchered!
Wow, they butchered that thing. For sure speak to the service manager and demand a new bumper or you are calling Mazda USA to rectify this problem. Service is the bread and butter of any dealership, they don't want to get reported to big brother. I put my own hitch on, the Curt one requires no cutting at all. If anything, after you get your new bumper get the Curt hitch on your own and pay a mechanic to install, will be way cheaper than the OEM one which requires cutting. Order from Curt directly and tell them you would like the new revised version for the CX-5. Mazda was not thinking on this one.
canyonarrow
Member
I'm confused. On Mazda's site they don't show a notch:
I wonder if it is a pre-production photo or what.
It is supposed to be cut; however, not the way that it was. CDub, here's the instructions they were supposed to follow:
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-24809172479195/cx5trailerhitch.pdf
(got it from this site: http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-cx5-trailer-hitch.html)
Also, look at the price...$283 for the genuine mazda part. WITH wiring harness. So yes, you should have gotten it.
Also, the last page of the install instructions have a template for them to use for cutting the bumper; I would print it out, cut out the section that they were supposed to remove from the paper, and see how it lines up to your bumper.
The instructions also specifically say to "file it down to remove rough edges". I think yours was done with a hedge clipper...
Yes, you paid $350 for a bolt-on hitch installation that they butchered, and left out the wiring. I would be mad too.
Also, print this thread out. It can help your case if you show them that 20 Mazda owners are on your side
Good luck!It is supposed to be cut; however, not the way that it was. CDub, here's the instructions they were supposed to follow:
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-24809172479195/cx5trailerhitch.pdf
(got it from this site: http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-cx5-trailer-hitch.html)
Also, look at the price...$283 for the genuine mazda part. WITH wiring harness. So yes, you should have gotten it.
Also, the last page of the install instructions have a template for them to use for cutting the bumper; I would print it out, cut out the section that they were supposed to remove from the paper, and see how it lines up to your bumper.
The instructions also specifically say to "file it down to remove rough edges". I think yours was done with a hedge clipper...
Yes, you paid $350 for a bolt-on hitch installation that they butchered, and left out the wiring. I would be mad too.
Also, print this thread out. It can help your case if you show them that 20 Mazda owners are on your side
You made my day, canyonarrow, I'm printing everything out to bring, however, I'll save the thread prints as my ace. Glad to have to back-up incase I need to make a second visit.
Much appreciated! Have a great day.
I'm confused. On Mazda's site they don't show a notch:
I wonder if it is a pre-production photo or what.
They probably left it down a touch for the glamour shot so they didn't have to cut into a vehicle. Is the site this photo is from endorsed by or affiliated with corporate Mazda? I know it's Mazdaparts.org, but the ammo would be better if I could confirm that.
