Car and Truck Repair Skyrocketing Costs

[Tinhack]

I try to explain this to customers when I try to raise my prices.
They look at me like “I thought inflation was like 5-10%”

 

[Oaktree]

And one cannot even find wiring schematics for vehicles anymore unless you pay big $$$ for a subscription service like mitchell or alldata.

Gone are the days of a full wiring schematic in the back of a chilton book.

And to make matters even worse....lots of proprietary computer crap that even good scantools like autel or snapon cant access or get through without paying a manufacture for the rights.

When I bought my (used) Colorado last fall it only came with one key and fob. Probably could've gotten the dealer to spiff me a second one, but they'd just schedule a locksmith to do it and the dealer was 2 hours away. Local locksmith told me he gets charged something like $40 each time he uses his scan tool to program a key or fob.

Yeah, I miss Chilton books too, they don't seem to offer them for vehicles much newer than the mid-teens. Sometimes you can find downloadable pdf manuals online, check specific vehicle forums, someone there usually has a link.

 

[Oaktree]

The age of replace and paint started many years ago. Not only is it hard to find competent metal-work employees but also the new steels make it impossible to straighten or do metal work. In most cases, damaged panels have to be cut out and new panels welded or glued in. That's why insurance keeps going up. You can just about count on about $1000 per fender, $2000 per door, $3-4000 for a quarter panel, $1200 per air bag, and there could be as many as 15 going off in a rollover. And that doesn't count mechanical damage. Insurance companies would rather total a vehicle rather than repair it.

Not just the body work, but re-aligning all the cameras, sensors, etc. for all the self-driving crap can get complicated (read: expensive) fast too. Unfortunately, we're a very litigious society today and I'm guessing no insurance company wants the liability if some of those repairs weren't done right.

 

[Snobdds]

The model for automakers was to get everyone into leases. It creates a never ending demand for them. Then interest rates spiked and it exposed their model's one giant flaw.

Part of the model to get everyone into leases, is charging more for parts. If leases became the norm, part prices would go back down pretty quick. The automakers, since they would be responsible for repairs, would not be gouging themselves.

I just don't see how we keep this ship going. Eventually the balloon is going to pop...

 

[Tinhack]

When I bought my (used) Colorado last fall it only came with one key and fob.

Most used vehicle dealers withhold a key fob. They do it in case the vehicle needs to be repossessed.

 

[newbury]

Some Ford engines have an internal water pump. Labor intensive job to replace a $40 part.

I often wonder if this is part of planned obsolescence. On my Escape, no easy way to check the tranny fluid. Need to remove a plug interior to the front tire and let it drip. Plus it's a pain to refill.
The OEM MANUAL says to change the fluid every 150,000 miles. And the blasted filter is internal and not designed to be changed.
Haynes says:

To keep your 2019 Ford Escape maintenance schedule and its transmission in optimal condition, consider a transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles. This helps to prevent premature wear and ensures smooth shifting. The cost of transmission services can vary, so consult with your mechanic for an accurate estimate. (Average $600 for fluid change.)

"Web advice" says every 30K.
When I was trying to buy OEM fluid the local dealerships didn't have any quantity and several places told me they never change the fluid and wait AT LEAST till 90,000 miles.
My thinking is that Ford is betting on most first owners won't drive a little ford Escape 150,000 miles, and by then it will be WAY out of warranty.

<snip>
Not so much to save money more so it would not get screwed up like missing oil plug, snapping wheel studs or using the wrong transmission fluid…

And that's another problem, repair shops doing a poor job with inferior materials.
Learned that back in the '50's.
Dad had a Ford Fairlane, we were going on a summer trip to Metcalf Pond. Got an oil change, they forgot the plug, we only went a couple of miles.

 

[not2old]

Heard a clunking yesterday when I took the Range Rover in for smog check…. Smog Check ok and cost $59.95.

Left front air strut failed so it was almost like a 3 wheel vehicle with the left front wheel carrying almost no load.

Dealer is $2800

I’m thinking after market parts for $600 and swap in the driveway.

Labor plus the added shop fees ain’t no joke.

I use to rebuild my own motors and replace axle and transmission bearings, clutches, timing chains and painted a few cars.

Not so much to save money more so it would not get screwed up like missing oil plug, snapping wheel studs or using the wrong transmission fluid…

Lost an air bag on my grand cherokee last year and the dealer quote was for over $2000.00. Bought a better quality bag on Rock Auto for a bit over $200.00 and installation took about an hour. Now knowing what to do could likely be done in 30 minutes.

 

[deserteagle71]

I often wonder if this is part of planned obsolescence. On my Escape, no easy way to check the tranny fluid. Need to remove a plug interior to the front tire and let it drip. Plus it's a pain to refill.

Most manufacturers have gone to this. Was just watching a video on the new Ram 1500 pickup. Not only no dipstick in the engine compartment for the tranny, but there is no dipstick for engine oil either! Supposedly there is a sensor that will tell you if the engine oil is low..........light will come on in the dash.

 

[newbury]

light will come on in the dash.

When the engine goes up in flames!

 

[sreeb]

If you didn't maintain it correctly and change the fluid and filter at the GM required 80K miles, then you do have a bomb ticking. I don't mean a cheap flush either, I mean a pan drop, new filter and new fluid and the torque converter drained as well.

Other than batteries, the most neglected component on any vehicle is the shush box and it you per chance have an allison and you didn't get it serviced correctly, it will fail sooner than the standard slush box will. Allisons are especially touchy when it comes to clean fluid and filter changes.

I might add, you ever change t he serpentine drive belts or the idlers? Only good for a max of 100K and then on borrowed time.

The 4l60e has a bad reputation but I have 230K miles on the one in my 2000 sierra. I pump 3 liters of ATF out at every oil change and replace it.