Are some car recalls a sort of scam?

[Beppington]

I've had a number of recalls, on several different cars I've owned over the past couple decades, for what I felt were very trivial "problems" ... enough that I started to wonder if the car makers are just trying to get car owners back in the door.

Again yesterday: I took my Nissan Titan back in because of an A/C compressor-related recall that said something like, "The dealer will look at it & may install a little plastic clip, if needed."

(I had the exact same recall with a 90's Mustang)

Sure enough, 1/2 hour later I get a call saying, "The tech is all finished, & he's recommending an oil change & new air filter."

This is such a waste of time for me; 20 minute ride one way, got to get a ride back to work (20 more minutes), got to get another ride back to the dealer (20 more minutes), drive back to work (20 more minutes). Very irritating when I suspect it's all just a ploy to get me in so they can try to sell me stuff.

And, you'll notice that since these "recalls" are for what I think are insignificant things, the dealer isn't likely to get any bad press or a bad rep over them ... in fact they've probably already figured that most people will see it as, "Wow, Nissan's really an upstanding company, fessing up & doing a recall for something as minor as this."

What do you all think? Am I just a great conspiracy theorist?? Or is this CRUD?!!

[disneysteve]

Were you due for an oil change?

I don't think recalls are a conspiracy. I do think some may be based more on potential legal liability than on actual mechanical failure, but where safety is concerned, why take a chance. They make the necessary repair for free (other than your time) and if it could potentially prevent something bad from happening, that's okay with me.

[johnnylord07]

Re::Are some car recalls a sort of scam?

thanks for sharing.I don't think that recalls are conspiracy.anyway hopes more from you.

[PetMom]

I have some experience with this.

I have a Pontiac and so do other members of my family. We have gotten over the 7 years of ownership of these vehicles so many recalls.

The first time you immediately rush in and they 'fix' it and as happened to the op we were told certain other things needed to be done (you are not responsible for the charges to fix a recall) but obviously need to pay for any other things.

Then we got another one and then it got to the point where we would ask a trusted mechanic who kept up with recalls on certain cars if 'this one is for real' and he would let us know that it was a legitimate defect.

He also admitted the people who fix these recalls are the dealer service providers (who ten to charge more for oil changes, etc...) and his theory was that they did not miss an opportunity to tell you some things needed to be done. And one could say it could be legitimate work needed as in an oil change. My sister would just say thank you, I have my own mechanic to do this.

Husband has a Ford now for 5 years and we have not gotten any 'recall' notice.

[wincrasher]

I have mixed experience on these.

I've had some where it was a serious repair. On one, it was to apply a sticker under the hood warning there were hot parts under there!

I say blame the lawyers, not the automakers. Lawsuits, or threats of them, usually drive these things.

[cicy33]

definitely not scams but also definitely an opportunity for the dealer to get more money out of you. It is actually a lot like a place where I have had my oil changed before. I don't recall the name as I don't use them anymore but I went in once because it was drive through and quick. I told them I just wanted an oil change nothing else. they still showed me the dip stick (which I guess is required) and then proceeded to try to get me to do several other things based upon their observance. Told them I was broke and this is what I could afford. I just hate upselling, either from mcdonalds or oil change places. If it were an emergency I would understand but just because is another.