I need some help. I just bought my car used from a dealership about 4 months ago. I was involved in a wreck about a week ago and had front end damage, mainly on the front driver fender, front end bumper, and around the driver tire. I drove home after the collision and then 2 days after I had to meet and get an estimate for the damages of the vehicle and on the way there, my car broke down on me. I paid to have it towed to a different dealership of my actual car brand (2012 Nissan Rogue). They have been awesome but notified me that my car Mass Air Flow Sensor was fried due to the air filter frame missing so it wasn’t working properly. My insurance finally accepted it and paid to have it fixed. The service advisor called me again to let me know that now, a transmission code is popping up and my alternator is bad. He said it’s possible that the collision caused it (since she hit me at about 35+ MPH) or the dealership that I bought it, sold me a lemon. The warranty won’t cover it since it was in a collision but now the insurance is fighting it since it’s a $4800 fix. Do you guys/gals have any advice on what to do next? I’m at a complete loss since my car was running completely fine with no issues since I bought it back in October until the actual collision (it did start driving funny after she hit me).
@Kattxoxo90
"…(it did start driving funny after she hit me)."
You should not have continued driving the car. Most insurance companies will pay for collision damage, provided you have that coverage. However, most (all?) won’t pay for damage an owner causes by driving a damaged vehicle. Now it has to be determined if the collision did the damage or you did the additional damage.
"He said it’s possible that the collision caused it (since she hit me at about 35+ MPH)
I’d say that you need to have a technician verify that the collision probably or certainly caused the damage, not “…or the dealership that I bought it, sold me a lemon.” Then you need to meet with the insurance adjuster, the technician, and ideally at the car.
Keep in mind that insurance adjusters are not necessarily the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to knowledge of cars. Some are store clerks one day and insurance adjusters the next day. CSA
Thank you so much for the clarification, it really helps a lot. I’ve never been in a wreck before so everything is very new to me. Hopefully I can findout a way to get this covered under the insurance or else, I won’t have a driveable car for a long time. I will meet with the technician and see if all 3 of us can get together at the car to see what is going on exactly. He also said that the transmission fluid was black/burnt. What do you think about that?
@Kattxoxo90
Then, You Have A Technician Who’s Able To Explain That The Transmission, Mass Air Flow Sensor And Alternator Were Victims Of The Collision?
"He also said that the transmission fluid was black/burnt. What do you think about that? "
To me that sounds like the transmission was neglected and/or had significant wear/damage prior to the collision OR and it’s a stretch, but could have suffered damage from the collision, BUT to me that was only possible by continuing to drive the car following damage from the collision which is usually a no-no (puts the cause on you).
If the insurance adjuster buys the theory that this all relates to the collision and authorizes repairs then you’re good to go, but if not …
Be advised that this transmission (“He also said that the transmission fluid was black/burnt.”) could cost in the hundreds, probably low thousands $$$ to repair. Transmission fluid should not be black and definitely should not have a burnt smell. CSA
Yeah the transmission repair will be about $4000 and the alternator repair will be around $800 not including the $3000 that the insurance has already paid for to repair my vehicle. He sent my vehicle to the collision center to be repaired for the body work and once he gets my car back, is calling my extended warranty to file a claim. Lets cross our fingers.
One more question, the collision company just send me a paper to sign off on for aftermarket parts. I looked it up online to see what they were but it said if it is a collision center, to always make sure you are getting OEM parts to make sure they fit perfectly to the car since they are made directly from the manufacturer. What do you suggest?
Kattxoxo90
"One more question, the collision company just send me a paper to sign off on for aftermarket parts."
If they are choosing aftermarket parts then why would you want to “sign off” on them? I would be hesitant. What happens if you don’t?
The shop might be operating under the direction of the insurance company and they’re trying to cover themselves in case the parts cause problems. I know that some insurers will specify aftermarket or used parts for vehicles after they are a certain age (sometimes just a few years old).
Also, with my insurer if I use one of their “premier” preferred collision shops then the repairs have a lifetime warranty. CSA
I would sign it and not worry about it. The work will have some kind of warranty and they do this kind of repair all the time. We are talking about a 3 year old vehicle .
The paper states Aftermarket parts and then two boxes. One box says accepted and the other says denied and then there is a spot for a signature. It kinda just made me skeptical and since I’ve never been in the situation before, just wanted to make sure I don’t screw myself.
I Believe My Major Insurance Company Quit Using Aftermarket Parts.
I also believe they lost some lawsuits because claims were made that the aftermarket parts did not protect people who were involve in subsequent collisions following the repairs. They learned the hard way. They will use used parts of the same or newer model-year of the vehicle being repaired, however.
I have spotted aftermarket parts (fenders) on vehicles that did not fit the way the originals did. I’ve also seen situations were workers had to modify (bend, hit, force) parts to fit. Some fit well, others not so much.
I would discuss this with my trusted “brick and mortar” insurance agent. She has given me good information and advice over the years. You should find out where you stand and if you’ve got any options. Also, your concerns may me alleviated.
I just received a letter from the collision center that has my car and they are asking if it is okay if they use aftermarket parts. The other driver did a good amount of damage so what would you recommend? I looked it up online and it said if it was a collision, then to always use OEM Parts to make sure they fit your car perfectly.
Some aftermarket parts are great…others aren’t. It’s a gamble. A good body man usually knows who to deal with…because a bad fit panel means they’ll spend a lot of extra hours in labor getting it right.
If you can get an OEM panel…then do it. I haven’t had an accident that required major body work in a few decades…so no recent experience.
Any chance that the collision caused a transmission fluid leak? This could cause the fluid level to drop which in turn will cause slippage in the clutch packs which then will turn the transmission fluid black and fry the transmission.
If there are no obvious leaks that leaves a few possibilities.
Someone in the past changed the fluid and used the wrong fluid.
There was a fluid leak in the past which caused the above.
There was a factory flaw from the start which led to the transmission failure.
Prior owner flogged it into the pavement.
Just because there are some issues do not blame the dealer for selling you a Lemon. You bought a 5 year old used car and any used car can be prone to problems. That does not make it a Lemon.
