Tech / Special Interest → Automotive > Bringing vehicle to another brand's dealership

Bringing vehicle to another brand's dealership

I have had very excellent luck and service at a local Chrysler dealership. They say they service all makes and models. Would I be better off to bring a Ford truck to them since I know and trust their services? Or should I stick to a Ford dealer that has a good reputation?

I'm torn on this one because at the end of the day... a dealership garage is really an auto garage independent from the manufacturer (except maybe in the case of Tesla Motors). I would think taking a Ford to a Chrysler dealership service department is like taking a Ford to an independent auto mechanic?!?

I dont think you would be better off, but YMMV. I put a lot of stock in OEM parts and the fact that a ford dealer is going to be more up to date on manufacture bulletins.

I usually recommend taking the car to that brand's dealership or taking it to the best independent shop in your area once the warranty period has expired. However if that Chrysler dealership is really the best service choice in your area, go for it.

One of my customers is a full line Chrysler dealer. My work van is a Chevy. They do the regular maintenance on my Chevy while I am there doing work for them. It's no big deal for them. However, when it comes to in-depth repairs sometimes it is better to bring it to someone that knows your vehicle. For example when they replaced the steering pump on my van it took them a very long time, and it seeped fluid after they were done. They had to do it over. This was because GM dealerships (and independent shops that work on them) have a special goofy bent wrench. The Chrysler mechanic ended up having to cut and weld some wrenches into the shape to get in there.

The Chrysler dealership I like is owned by a group (family) that owns a number of dealerships, including at least one Ford dealership (which is too far away to consider). I do have a local Ford dealer that is very reputable, but I have no real track record with them... the Chrysler dealer has given me great service over the years without issue.

Maybe I'll give the Ford dealer a fair chance to earn my business.. the truck is out of warranty at this point.

I don't do dealerships. Once the warranty expires, I go to a 3rd party repair ship. Dealerships, or so my experience has proven, tend to charge more.
One time I did try taking a Saturn to a Toyota dealer for repair. The Garage manager said that even though they "all makes and models", they will only service vehicles that were sold from their lot.
So we ended up going to the GM dealer for the Saturn, and Toyota for the Toyota. What a headache that was.
But now we have Dodges that aren't under warranties, so we go to a 3rd party garage. Whose service seems to be slipping and their prices seem to be increasing. So we are looking for another garage.

Yep, the ford dealer i took my toyota to went thru NAPA for parts. Its about to get its 4th LF wheel bearing next week in the last 6 months. It would be interesting to know exactly why. Something tells me i will never know exactly why.

That is interesting. I do know of a couple of dealerships that don't use everything OEM. They'll use NAPA or some other aftermarket sellers as their primary source for parts, fluids, etc.

I might call the Chrysler dealership I like and see what they use for parts on cars that are not Mopar.

I have a 2002 Ford F150 that I take to an Independent Shop. They use OEM or better for fluids, parts and such. And note what they used on the Invoice.
They have all up to date tooling and other resources available.
They provide a 24 month / 24,000 mile warranty on parts and labor. And have a procedure in place if one can not take the vehicle back to them for repairs.

Looking at both GM and Ford warranties for repairs and parts is confusing. Depends upon part and some are only 12/12.

»www.fordparts.com/FileUploads/CM···mary.pdf

I think you misunderstood me. I took a toyota to a ford dealer and ford used napa parts on the toyota. If you take a chrysler product to a chrysler dealer you would expect to get all OEM parts or at least most. Of course where any dealer gets parts is a YMMV situation.