Yesterday, I took my truck in to the dealership to get the 2nd oil change and tire rotation. Everything went good until myself and my kids left and got right around the corner from the dealership, about a block, and the truck started shaking like crazy. I had to try and control the wheel. Then a loud bang and the tire shot out and started heading across the lanes of traffic. The front driver side axle hit the pavement and dug in until I could get it stopped.

I got out and ran and grabbed the tire to keep anyone from hitting it and causing another accident. I called the dealership and the service manager came down. He was livid! He apologized several times and told me and my kids to take the vehicle he rode in back to the dealership and I could use that as a loaner until he gets mine fixed.

I know things happen and life sucks sometimes. Lol! I just want to make sure my truck is as good as new when I get it back. It was in excellent condition when I took it in. It’s on 7 1/2 months old. My husband usually handles all this but it currently deployed. What all should I check for when I get it back? I haven’t from the dealership yet on the extent of the damage. I have attached pictures and if you zoom in you can see it tore the fender all up and the door, also there was damage to the wheel. The rotor had dug in the asphalt for a good distance until I could get it stopped.

 

That is NOT good.... The dealership should bend over backwards to make you completely whole again. They should not attempt to say your truck is not as you say for sure...
I am probably over reacting... but if this truck was well cared for and never had any other incidents, I would be pressing the dealership to unscrew the radiator cap and drive a new truck underneath it....but then again, I probably lose my temper too quickly when it is obviously inept work done by the dealership. given you claim your husband normally handles these things, you should probably discuss it with him... Once he blows up and decides what he would prefer you do. You can develop a plan of attack.

First, the truck will never be pristine to you ever again... it has been doinked. Second, you don't know the extent of the total damage that could have happened... if it hit hard enough, what damage did it do to the underside of the engine and if it hurt the underside, did something internal also get damage... or messed up to where the damage doesn't show up until later? The skid plates under the truck can only take just so much before damage to the engine/transmission/other stuff occurs...Third, again, dealing with a total analysis of all the damage... are you truly going to trust the same potential doofus at the dealership to do a complete analysis and would you then trust his ability to repair it correctly....especially if they cannot remember to either put lug nuts on or tighten said lugs nuts which probably caused this to happen?

Again, I would be fighting with the to just replace it with a new one... or a 'equivalent or better' condition one with the EXACT SAME (or better) options....AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU OR YOUR HUSBAND!!

but then again, I am a cranky old man...as I said in the beginning..
Best of luck in getting this resolved...
Larry

 

reputable body shops do fantastic work. They can fix this and make it right. It may take some time so have them give you a loner for the entire time your vehicle is being repaired.
on inspection before you leave:
inspect in bright daylight...the paint for proper colour match. the door and fender gaps. door for proper opening and closing. then test drive and listen for noises over bumps
I would want all the wheel studs changed and maybe a new rim as the rim may be scratched and the holes oblong from being loose on the studs.

 

don't listen to swofford. If they replace the body panel and the suspension, the rotor and the wheel hub, maybe the steering ... it can be good as new again.

Did you find out what happened? Since you only made it one block, that wheel must not have had any lug nuts on. Someone might be getting fired.

 

Or sued.

That could have killed or injured someone. At the least, I'd have the entire interior wheel well parts replaced with brand-new ones, The fender needs to go and perhaps even the drivers' door. No telling what that did to the ball-joints, etc. Had someone been harmed, or worse killed, you can bet the dealership _and_ the owner would have all been in court, paying for expensive attorney's fees, due to a numb-skull.

I've seen some really nasty "accidents" in my time, so I know of what I speak. I've seen lug nuts that were on the vehicle, but only hand tight, not torqued down at all, but no lug nuts? And the likely culprit ought to be tested for drug use as well.

We Drivers have to do so, by law, even if we are standing still at a red-light and we get hit by someone driving a light vehicle, while they do not, unless a cop thinks they are drunk or stoned. Been there and done that, so I know personally.

 

Egads! Glad you're okay.

If possible, I would have an independent inspector or adjuster examine the vehicle. There appears to be some significant body damage - the quarter panel looks to be pushed up slightly. Could be frame damage. Maybe damage to the cross member as well as the rotor, control arms, tie rods. Maybe not, but you won't know until it is thoroughly inspected.

I don't know if your insurance company would inspect it if you are not filing a claim, but maybe they can offer advice or recommend an inspector? Just a thought.

It does sound like the lugnuts were not tightened sufficiently, but to have all 5 pop off is an anomaly.

 

Down the block, it's an impossibility, even if the lug nuts were not even torqued down. They'd loosen up, but not that
soon. I'd sue that little SOB and the dealership as well. They had better make things totally right, after this fiasco.

 

Humans make mistakes, the offender will likely be fired and hopefully learn from the error. Give the dealer a chance to make it right to your satisfaction. I like the idea of getting your insurance involved so it is fixed to their satisfaction as well. Don't see a reason to sue. We all make mistakes!

 

I had this happen to my company vehicle, ended up ruining the wheel. I took it back to (Goodyear), without the intention of getting the guy fired, but they did anyway.

 

Yes, humans make mistakes. In the last year, doctors made a huge mistake that could have cost me my life, and destroyed the relationship I had with my brother. It's a long story and I'll not get into it much on an automotive forum.

Could I find ONE attorney to take on a medical malpractice case? No, likely as I survived, no thanks to their medical ineptness, and the cover-ups of the mistakes they made. The medical profession has tons of attorneys to take on a medical malpractice case, but unless an attorney thinks he/she can make $$$ winning in a court of law, you are done.

That said, if someone's wheel and tire come off, I'd have no problems finding a personal injury lawyer to take my case. In life, One needs to take responsibility and that oftentimes means resorting to the law, to make things right, or at least better. That is what insurance is for, medical or automotive related, but doctors all too often literally bury their mistakes.