[Biergott10]

So bummed! 3K miles and my headline is falling down. Noticed it because a rattle developed. I reached up and the whole headliner was able to be pushed up about 1/2". It stuck back up then slowly peeled back down. I looked in between the sunroof and headline and saw double sided tape and velcro in there, hence the slow fall. Needless to say I'm pretty upset.

Called the dealer and set an appointment for this past Monday at 7am...turns out that just "gets you in line," so as of 3pm Tuesday they STILL HADN'T LOOKED AT IT!!! I lost my shizz. No rental car, no nothing. Anyway, they ended up pulling it back, taking 5 minutes to look at it and determine "the headliner was defective." So they had to special order it with no ETA.

So after thinking about this for a week and cooling down, here is what really concerns me...they have to remove the windshield to put the new one in. I'm worried this is going to lead to all kinds of new problems. Especially since they basically outsource it to a local bodyshop "over by the Ford dealer."

So...what would you do? This? Or just go buy a bunch of really good 3M double sided tape and stick this back up myself?

 

[johnj]

It will probably be a lot of work to do it yourself. I'd make them do it. And if it's not right, they get to do it again. Stop by the body shop and talk to them. Usually they're better at cosmetic repairs than dealers, anyway. They do it for a living. If you don't like the shop, maybe you can force it to be subbed out elsewhere? Worth the discussion, at any point.

 

[VaderRebel]

Definitely let the dealer fix it. It's frustrating, it's painful to watch your pride and joy be handled by strangers, to whom you have no idea of their quality or skill. But as Johnj noted, the dealer is responsible to make sure you are satisfied and the truck is repaired properly. And it's your job to ask questions and keep involved and informed. Don't accept anything that doesn't seem right. But let the pros do their job.

You need to negotiate a loaner prior to leaving your vehicle if you need one.... dealers rarely offer them without being asked.

 

[Stackin]

I would also let the dealer fix it, it'll take time but at least you know they're covering it and it has to be up to par in quality. Negotiate that loaner vehicle though.

 

[TheGreatRam]

Let them deal with it since your Rebel is still under warranty. If they mess up then they'll have to keep correcting their mistake but I'm not sure what'll happen if you try to fix it yourself.

 

[Biergott10]

Was actually very shocked I couldn't get a loaner the first time. They were adamant about it. Maybe this next time, whenever it happens, they will. I'll tough it out for now and just wait for the part to arrive. Thanks all, I'll keep you posted.

 

[Biergott10]

Well crap....got worse news today...

My headliner has arrived at the dealer. That is the good news. The bad news is that they will need my truck for "at least a few days" and will not supply me a loaner vehicle. Also, they will have to replace the windshield as the existing one will be destroyed upon removal.

I don't know about you, but this scares the absolute crap out of me. First of all, after spending $50K on a truck, I can't really afford to rent a car while they "fix" the one I just bought. Secondly, I've heard horror stories about how once a windshield is replaced, the seals just are never quite right and can lead to air noise, or at least creaks and rattles (which is what I am trying to get fixed in the first place.)

Sure seems like a slippery slope I am about to jump on. I am absolutely crushed. I love the truck, and after years of hard work finally treated myself to something nice, yet it has these problems. (ANd the dealer group...wow...everyone working at both of them is either rude or slimy)

ANyway, they said they will hold the part for 30 days while I figure out when I can be without my vehicle. I think I am going to go to Home Depot and get some 3M VHB Tape and stick it back up myself. Like I said originally, I don't think the headliner is bad, I think that the tape/velco that was used originally was put onto a greasy surface or something. I can push the headliner up and it will sticker for a bit before coming back down (quicker on hotter days). And the rattle goes away in that time...

Is this a bad move? Will it void the warranty? The dealer wouldn't commit either way.

 

[lmeavtitn]

That's crazy that they aren't giving you a rental car. Did you take it back to the same dealer that you bought it from? My local dealer I feel will do anything and everything to make sure the customer is happy. Any time I had to take my truck back to them so far for work, they have given me a rental car. Regardless if it was for 1 day or 2 weeks. I would talk to them about it!

 

[ssscott21]

I agree with Imeavtitn. Any respectable dealer should provide you with a loaner. Especially when they need you vehicle over night to fix something that is obviously a manufacturer's defect. If this dealer isn't willing to budge, then they don't value you as a customer and you should reach out to another RAM dealer, if possible. If not, then you will need to escalate to the service manager. I had this happen to me several years ago with a local Chevy dealer. I ended up changing to a Chevy dealer the next town over. And was happy I did.

 

[Stackin]

I would take this up with the service manager and if he doesn't seem to want to cooperate, contact head office. You shouldn't have to go without a car for that long. On my prior new vehicles, even if it was one day, or a week, the dealer would hand me a loaner, no questions asked.

Maybe even try to change dealerships after this because clearly they don't appreciate the consumer there. That's ridiculous.

 

[Biergott10]

I originally took it back to the dealer I bought it from, but they couldn't shuttle me to my work and recommended I go to their sister dealership closer to my office... So yeah, I've been to two different dealers (though both under the same ownership)

Ripping out, discarding and replacing the windshield scares the crap out of me. Those never seem to fit or function the same after they've been replaced (wind noise, leaks, etc...) Not to mention all of the overhead console and speakers... seems like I'll be opening Pandora's box.

I did go buy some double sided tape. Couldn't find VHB tape, but got some 30lb 3M. It worked for about 3 days, but the sound is back now. Guess I need to bite the bullet and take the risk, because having the rattle that hits every time the truck hits even a slight bump is unbelievably annoying. The sound is coming from right behind the rear right corner of the sunroof, so right over my head.

 

[Biergott]

Just giving everyone an update. I have fought with this issue since I got my truck. The headliner came in, and the service guy really talked me out of doing it, saying that I'd be without my truck for over a week, that I could experience issues with replacing the windshield, that they never quite seat right, etc... He recommended I try to fix it, that it wouldn't void the warranty. I'm pretty handy so I gave it several shots.

The issue was that the headline was seperating from the plastic bracing. THe glue appeared to never had cured. So the velcro was holding just fine, but basically the headliner wasn't being held to it's brace/frame. If you pushed up, you'd feel a tacky hold, but it would separate shortly thereafter.

I tried VHB tape from 3M, as well as Epoxy. Slicing up my knuckles pretty good in the process (the raw metal sheeting in there does not have nice edges, so be carefull if you ever have to get into yours.)

Needless to say, none of these solved the problem. Epoxy worked for about 30 days. Anyway, last time I went in for service, I complained again, and said, I really need them to just replace it. I'm at my wits end. They agreed, and reordered a headliner (the other had been sent back)

So a month went by with no word and I got a call from the parts department telling me my special order parts were in stock and I could pick them up at any time. Hmmm. So called the service advisor and left a message. Then an email. Then another message. After about a month, I called and asked for the manager. Got a voicemail. FInally I got a live advisor, who told me I had to work with my original advisor. I explained I wasn't getting a call back and they assured I would. The advisor did call me back and asked me to bring my truck in the next day (today) Which I did. But he explained they have no loaner cars for warranty work. Obviously with two kids, this didn't work, so I pushed and he said he'd get me a free rental (which he did this morning.)

So now my pride and joy is being ripped apart at a non-factory body shop under warranty. Can't say I'm not extremely nervous, but I'm hoping I finally get the headliner issue solved with the annoying rattles that came with it, and it sitting on my head if I sat up straight.

Really bummed at the level of service I have received. From purchase to service, at two different Ram locations. I have been a Toyota customer my whole life, and while my Rebel trounces my old Tundras, at least the dealers and service were excellent.

I'll let you know the outcome in a couple days...