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XP - I'm FURIOUS! Anyone know a mechanic???
I think I am in for a battle with a rental car company.
We had rented a minivan to drive cross country for Christmas and it broke down while we were driving on the interstate. I had been going about 60MPH, and when I went to push the gas pedal down to accelerate, the pedal went down but nothing happened. I eased up into the breakdown lane where we coasted until we stopped.
During the time we ?coasted? I checked to make sure we were still in ?drive? (we were) and pushed the gas a few more times to see if it would go. Again, the pedal would go down, but no acceleration.
The rental car company is now calling saying that the mechanic who fixed the car said that there was a broken tie-rod, which would be due to hitting a pothole or some other impact, and they are saying that they are going to hold us responsible for the repair charges.
The facts are that we NEVER hit anything, potholes or otherwise (with two little ones in the car, we would have known!), and there was never any issue with steering the car after the gas stopped (since I was able to steer it into the breakdown lane just fine). Also, if the thing that held the tire on broke while we were doing 60MPH, wouldn?t it be pretty obvious ? as in, tire flying off the car?
I am trying to get my ?defense? together since they are not believing me when I tell them that we didn?t cause the damage to the tie-rod and/or whatever caused the gas to stop running. This is so frustrating because I don?t know a whole lot about cars in order to contradict what they are saying we did.
Anyone know a mechanic or know about cars?
Thank you and thank you in advance!
Donna
This discussion has been closed.
Re: XP - I'm FURIOUS! Anyone know a mechanic???
A broken tie rod would cause steering problems, not a loss of acceleration. There's no guarantee that you actually did the damage, the tie rod could have been damaged prior to you renting the car. It sounds like more of a fuel pump or catalytic converter problem. What kind of vehicle was it?
You do not need to know the mechanics of it all. If they insist upon you paying for repairs tell them you want all of the mechanics reports in writing along with any other documentation relating to this problem. Let them know that you will be bringing it to an independent mechanic, along with having your local dealership review the documents. Of course, you will also be supplying this info with your attorney.
Speak to a supervisor at the rental company, call Corporate if you don't get good enough answers.
Loss of acceleration is almost always an engine issue, oftentimes a fuel injection problem. I've never heard him say of any lack of acceleration problem be due to an accident of any sort. It's usually just normal wear & tear of an older car.
I'm not saying it's not possible, just that it doesn't sound right.
I agree with PP. I would ask for their mechanics report in writing, and if necessary hire an attorney.