Right rear window latch broke...

[pinktoe]

This happened to me a week ago where the latch that holds the right side of the rear window cracked. I have no idea what caused it but noticed the piece is made of cheap plastic. I went into my local dealer and they wanted $527.84 for the part plus $210.00 for labor. WTF! Anybody have a similar experience and/or a place to get the part cheaper? The Smart part number is: A4516700031

[jwight]

Is your car under warranty? Either way, both of those figures look extremely high to me.

[pinktoe]

I'm starting to get a bit steamed. I bought my car in April of 2008 and it currently has around 14,000 miles. I called another dealership and they said the part number I gave them is for the whole rear window and that since the car is still under warranty, I should not have been expected to pay for it.

[smark]

Show a photo! I can't picture a latch that holds the right window.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by pinktoe

I'm starting to get a bit steamed. I bought my car in April of 2008 and it currently has around 14,000 miles. I called another dealership and they said the part number I gave them is for the whole rear window and that since the car is still under warranty, I should not have been expected to pay for it.

You should not have to pay for it - it's under warranty.

[SuperGeek]

Unless you were in an accident and some unusually large force broke the part, it's under warranty. It should hold up to normal abuse for as long as the warranty covers it.


Ask the dealer why they won't cover it. They may have simply typed in the mileage wrong at 24,350 instead of 14,350. Or the service advisor is a ninny. Much more likely. Talk to that person's supervisor.

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

Ask the dealer why they won't cover it. They may have simply typed in the mileage wrong at 24,350 instead of 14,350. Or the service advisor is a ninny. Much more likely. Talk to that person's supervisor.

Even at 24,350 - if the dealer were worth their salt, they would work towards a resolution either covering it gratis, or work out a cost differential with the customer... "goodwill" repairs are not that uncommon for cars that just skirted outside of the warranty.

[jimvw57]

I thought there was only a ceter latch on the back window?? Hinge maybe?? either way, should still be warranty.

It could be that they have to replace the whole window if the hinge is broken.

[nonuro]

The window is only bonded to the "frame".When my hatch window was replaced it was re-bonded to the frame/hinge.

[Westfield 11]

Our cabrios have latches at each side of the window instead of a single central latch.