Diamond Suzuki Diamond Suzuki claims "Contaminated Fuel" - in reality, it is "Contaminated Service" and insurance FRAUD! 32168 New Smyrna Beach Florida

I drive a 2002 Suzuki. A little over a week ago I was on a job in Cocoa Beach (I live in DeBary FL).

My car's Check Engine light came on a short time before that trip; however, the car ran fine. I filled the tank when I got into Cocoa (receipt copy on file). On my return trip, the car began to lose power. I made it into Orlando and shut the car off for 30 minutes. At that time, I phoned the closest Suzuki dealer - Mastro Imports in Sanford my normal dealer is Diamond in New Smyrna. I told them (Mastro) that I was going to have my car towed in for service. Luckily, the car started and was able to drive without heavy acceleration. Feathering the gas pedal I drove all the way to Diamond Suzuki in New Smyrna Beach. I figured that if it was able to drive I would have them service the car call me loyal! I phoned them ahead of time and they told me to drop the keys in the slot since it was after hours. I also informed them that I heard a clunking noise coming from the car if that helped . . .

The following afternoon I received a phone call from the Diamond Suzuki service manager. He told me that I had contaminated fuel. I have never in my 25 years of driving heard of such a condition but it seemed plausible. They told me they would have to drop the gas tank and replace the fuel and spark plugs for a $425.00 charge ouch! I was also told that my check engine code was coming from the catalytic converter and the good news was that they can hear the converter rattling. The service man's logic was that the rattling indicated that the exhaust was able to escape. RED FLAG. Broken anything is never good. What was I to do? If the dealer can fix the problem and fuel was it I need my car.

I then phoned Diamond back and told them that they might have misdiagnosed my cars problem (in a delicate manor), as the broken catalytic converter seem to make perfect sense why the check engine light and the loss of power were occurring not the fuel. The car was running when it came in, indicating that the spark plugs were working and the fuel was burning. A broken converter was causing the car to choke not contaminated fuel. Diamond assured me that the fuel was the problem. They called and said my car was repaired and running good with new fuel and plugs and the check engine light was gone.

I asked about replacing the cat converters because I was convinced that this was the problem. They told me that the cat converters were out of warranty and would cost me an additional $1,200 in parts alone! In the name of my loyal customer status I asked them to work the $425 cost into replacing the cat converters(s). They refused. I then phoned another Orlando Suzuki dealer (Mastro Imports) to verify the cost of the converters. After a VIN and mileage check, they told me immediately that they were covered under FEDERAL WARRANTY, being emissions related. I then went to pick up my car from Diamond. I reluctantly paid the balance - I had no choice. My repair receipt stated; Car has power loss under heavy acceleration. I then asked to speak with the GM, E. Martin Johns. He was rehearsed and curt. I could not get a word in edge-wise. He said the Suzuki rep was there to verify that the fuel was bad. Only to find out later thathe had the Suzuki rep file and domcument that the fuel was containated! He (E.Martin Jones) then wrote me out his deal to replace my cat converters in his own hand - $1,000.

It gets worse. Diamond's GM told me that I should call my insurance company, as they will reimburse me for their dealer service charges because contaminated fuel is very common these days. They do it all the time was his quote (get insurance to pay out for fuel).

They claim that they have the fuel sample from my car saved and ran tests on it huh? Do they have a certified chemist on staff? I Basically, I told them that I was paying $425 to leave with the same problem that the car came in with!

I drove out of Diamonds lot and headed straight for Mastro Imports in Sanford FL. During the ride, my check engine light came back on in less then three miles of Diamond Suzuki. The car was low on power as it was before the supposed repair. I just got screwed out of $425.00. On my way to Sanford I called the Race Trac Station in Cape Canaveral where I filled up before I had the car serviced. I asked them if they had any complaint about contaminated fuel from their location. They said no one has called and complained. I made it to Mastro Imports. They verified all I was told and indeed the cat converters (both of them) were under FEDERAL LAW warranty, 8 years/80,000 miles. Mastro's service techs then told me that they (Diamond) should have replaced the cat converters first, not drained the fuel for $425. They said that they get paid for warranty work, but make more money when repairs are not under warranty. One guy told me that Diamond must be slow and are trying to make more money in spit of fraud.

Mastro ordered the parts and sent me off with a free loaner until the repair was complete. I paid ZERO for the work, yet Diamond tried to sock me with $1,200- in parts! Also, Mastro looked up my service record with Diamond and to my astonishment Diamond had me paying for repairs over the years on my car that should have been under the factory warranty! Obviously, Diamond Suzuki has a racket going. How many more people like me are getting shafted by unethical repairs at Diamond Suzuki? Moreover, blaming fuel companies during our countries up and down fuel crisis for contaminated fuel is the perfect cover. Who is going to challenge them; most people want to punch big oil!


I called corporate Suzuki Customer Service today (February 3, 2009). Would you believe that Diamond filed a ticket on my repair about contaminated fuel! the day this went down? They were anticipating a problem, are clearly guilty and trying to cover their tracks. With your help, I would like to get my $425 dollars back!

Robb
Debary FL

Robb
debary, Florida
U.S.A.

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