Is it possible for an ECU reflash to just...not take?

[M02stp]

Here's the deal. Took my car to the Mazda dealership last week because it was the engine was hesitating and they told me I needed an entire new turbo because mine was "broken". It would cost $3,500.

So I took their information and spent nearly 2 grand buying the turbo MYSELF and having it installed by someone ELSE. Not Mazda. After it was installed, the hesitation problem was STILL very apparent, so I took it back to Mazda and asked them why it was still happening if they said all I needed was a new turbo. They "didn't know why that was happening" and told me they'd take a look at it. I then asked if they knew anything about a simple ECU reflash and if that could have been the problem. They told me they'd try it. Half an hour later, they told me my car was fixed and apologized for the (multi-thousand dollar) mixup and that they had <b>tried to do a reflash the first time of diagnosis and it "didn't take. But this time it did!"</b>

So my question to you experts would be, was he lying all along? Was he aware that all it needed was a reflash, but decided to tell me I needed an entire new turbo to gaffle me? Is it even possible for reflash to "not take"? If not, I'm looking into pursuing this legally if possible. Small claim or at least a 7 on your side or something, because that's ridiculous. What do you guys think?

 

[Carlinator]

Well first off, did the flash fix the problem this time? Plus, dealerships ripping people off is nothing new; they're called "Stealerships" for a reason. I, and most likely everyone here, can't really advise you on whether you've got a case against them, especially considering you didn't get the work done BY Mazda.

Even if it goes to small claims court, it would be a good idea to talk to an attorney if you've got one, just to see if you've got a real case.

 

[Ricktalife]

Yea had they done the turbo replacement for you, it could have definitely been turned into a legal matter. All they did was give you a suggestion to replace the turbo, so you've got nothing there. The reflash was supposedly free at some dealers, and others charge for it. Take that up with Mazda if you want, but the most you could do at this point is get them to refund you for the first diagnostic if the reflash in fact didn't work the first time.

 

[hornsfan10609]

You should have gotten a second opinion but yes I believe the dealership tried to rip you off. This reason is why forums like this exist so we can share knowledge about our cars.

 

[powderider87]

You should have gotten a second opinion but yes I believe the dealership tried to rip you off. This reason is why forums like this exist so we can share knowledge about our cars.

Exactly