What about getting my car serviced?
Chrysler recently notified 789 dealers that their franchise contracts would not be extended beyond June 9. That is, they would no longer be authorized to service or sell Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicles. If your local dealership is one of the “rejected” dealers and you want to have your vehicle serviced by another authorized dealership, go to the automaker’s Web site and search for dealerships in your area. Alternatively, you can call the automaker's customer-assistance number: (800) 992-1997.

But you don't have to take your car to a dealership for regular servicing. A good independent shop should be able to handle routine maintenance and repairs. Moreover, independent repair shops are often less expensive than dealerships and, according to our Annual Auto Survey, generally provide a higher level of satisfaction.

You will need to go to a dealer to have a repair fixed under the automaker’s warranty or to have recall work performed. Since dealership mechanics are specifically trained to service its brand’s vehicle, you might also want to take your car to a dealership to have a proprietary system serviced, such as a GPS navigation or other sophisticated electronics system.

Should I buy a Chrysler product now?
Now that Chrysler is emerging from bankruptcy proceedings, its future is brighter than it has been in years, but they are not out of the woods yet. The company is offering some tempting sales incentives on many of its models, and dealers may be eager to negotiate. So, if you’re planning to keep a car for a long time and you’re not worried about resale value, now could be a great time to make a deal. But, keep in mind that no current Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep is recommended by Consumer Reports, due to shortcomings in reliability and/or test scores. (See how the models compare in our interactive New Car Selector.)

We have been impressed with their newest model, the redesigned Dodge Ram pickup, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee due next spring looks promising. But good trucks alone will not save Chrysler. Eighteen months is a long time to wait for smaller, thriftier models from a rejuvenated Chrysler, and the company faces a challenge until its product portfolio is better aligned with consumer tastes. Before joining forces, both Fiat and Chrysler had issues with reliability and customer satisfaction. Combined, they will need to improve both along with offering more competitive products. (Read "Detroit report cards.")

 

 

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