Ontario man who missed oil changes responsible for $19,000 engine replacement
When an Ontario man was driving his pick-up truck and the engine seized he said he was relieved to know it was still under warranty.
"While I was driving it on the highway the engine just died and it took a bit of skilled driving to pull over at an off ramp," Bowmanville man Moses Fosuo told CTV News Toronto.
The electrician bought the 2018 Ram 1500 Eco Diesel brand new and said it has been a great truck for his family, including two children and two dogs.
Fosuo said it was also comforting to know the truck came with a 100,000 kilometre warranty.
"They informed me the engine was no longer working and I was looking at having to have the engine replaced," Fosuo said.
At the time the engine seized, the truck had 91,000 kilometres on it and Fosuo thought the repairs would be covered.
However, he was informed by the dealer it would not be done under warranty, because he had not done the required oil changes at the appropriate times.
In this Sunday, March 15, 2020, photograph, a long row of unsold 2020 Ram pickup trucks sits at a Dodge dealership in Littleton, Colo. (David Zalubowski/AP/CNN)
"When I asked them why it was not covered under warranty, they mentioned at 50,000 kilometers the oil switch came on and I didn't get an oil change done right away," said Fosuo.
Fosuo said when he had the oil changed at a third party oil shop, he was told the truck could travel 24,000 kilometres between oil changes.
Fosuo said the truck did not come with a physical owner's manual.
"We were not given an owner’s manual. We were told everything was on an onboard computer and to access it that way," said Fosuo.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Ram and a spokesperson for its parent company Stellantis said "Due to customer privacy guidelines, we cannot disclose all details in this case. However, the customer received written notice this week that the claim was denied due to a lack of vehicle maintenance."
"As indicated in the vehicle's Owner’s Manual, under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 16,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Our authorized Ram dealers reported that said maintenance was not performed to these parameters," said the spokesperson.
"There is no hesitancy on our part to comply with the provisions of a warranty, as long as they apply to a factory defect. Damage or failures attributed to any other source are the owner's responsibility."
Fosuo was quoted $19,000 plus taxes to replace the engine, something he said he can’t afford right now.
"I don't think I have the money to pay for something like that. Unfortunately that vehicle will have to go to scrap, I can't afford something like that," said Fosuo.
It's a reminder to all drivers no matter what kind of vehicle you have to get the oil changes done when you're supposed to and to keep the paperwork as proof. That is especially true if you have a vehicle that is still under warranty.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.