'Just so frustrated': Auto body shop keeps Ontario man's truck for eight months
'Just so frustrated': Auto body shop keeps Ontario man's truck for eight months
An Ontario man who got into a collision eight months ago says an auto body shop has held his truck since then and won't give it back because they can't locate a part for it.
"It's been a strain on my job, my life, and to not to have my truck for eight months. It's crazy," Dillon Gerelus, a construction worker from Etobicoke, told CTV News Toronto.
Gerelus had an accident with his 2017 Ford F-150 pick-up truck in June 2021 and at first he was told it should be repaired in a few weeks.
But eight months later he is still waiting for a seatbelt sensor that no one seems to be able to find.
Without the part, his truck is deemed unsafe to be on the road and can't be released to him.
"I'm just so frustrated. I just want my truck back," Gerelus said.
After the accident, Gerelus was provided with a rental car through his insurance company, but after six weeks he was told he had to return it.
"They wanted me to rent a car from them for $1,200 a month which would have been $9,600 by now," said Gerelus.
The truck has been sitting waiting for the part for so long it now needs other repairs he'll have to pay for.
"It turns out my brakes and rotors are rusted and need replacing," said Gerelus who added “I've called every dealership I can and they tell me there is no ETA on this part anywhere.”
CTV News Toronto reached out to Ford of Canada about the seatbelt sensor and a spokesperson told us "The required part has been located and we have reached out to the customer to schedule the necessary work, including the brakes and rotors, free of charge."
Gerelus should be back on the road shortly, which was great news to him.
"I was so happy it sounded like I won the lottery. My mom was crying, it was a whole thing," said Gerlus.
Supply chain issues are not just leading to parts shortages, they're also causing price increases.
As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end and supply chains open up getting auto parts and other items should improve later this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada has been without an ambassador to China for 6 months. What's the holdup?
At a time of enhanced global uncertainty and growing Chinese influence, the Canadian government faces mounting pressure to appoint a diplomatic representative in Beijing after the post has sat vacant for six months.

Risk of shingles rises after COVID-19 infection: study
Adults over 50 who have had COVID-19 are more likely to experience a shingles outbreak, according to a study published in May.
Airbnb party ban now permanent after pilot saw gatherings in Canada nearly halved
Airbnb has codified a global policy that prohibits guests from hosting parties or events on all listed properties.
Trudeau defends military spending ahead of NATO summit as new report projects decline
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending Canadian military spending after a new NATO report this week showed Canada heading in the wrong direction.
Ottawa convoy organizer Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions
Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, has been arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions, CTV News has learned.
Canadians on TikTok open their doors to Americans seeking abortions
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade opening the door to abortion bans in the U.S., Canadian Tiktokers are welcoming Americans who are considering travelling north of the border to get an abortion.
Former Nazi guard, 101, jailed for aiding murder
A 101-year-old man was convicted in Germany of 3,518 counts of accessory to murder on Tuesday for serving at the Nazis' Sachsenhausen concentration camp during the Second World War.
Tom Mulcair: Quebec premier musing about language people should speak at home
Quebec Premier Francois Legault's recent remarks are just repeating something that has become commonplace in Quebec: the notion that multiculturalism is a threat, writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his latest column for CTVNews.ca.
Child dies after being left in hot car while mother taught at Ontario high school, mayor says
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.