Car stolen from dealership, owner stuck with $4,000 bill

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - When Michael Barnhard took his car in for service at Southfield Chrysler, he assumed his car was going to be taken care of.

When his Chrysler 300 turned up stolen, he assumed since it was under the dealership's care it would be responsible.

Instead, Barnhard said the incident has cost him about $4,000 with insurance after the vehicle was damaged, recovered and impounded.

"Sept 12th I took it in for warranty issues and then the next week they called me and said they couldn't find my car and they believe it had been stolen," Barnhard said. "I asked where are my keys and (I was told) the keys were gone with the car and they think it might have been an inside job."

Barnhard filed a police report and two days later his car was found and an arrest made - but not before $11,000 in damage was done to the car.

"They had driven through the fence and one of the windows was smashed in," Barnhard said. "There was interior damage where they ripped out the center console and the tires and rims were gone as well."

Barnhard says he had to pay to get his car out of the impound, rent another car, and pay for the repairs.

Barnhard is a firefighter in Harrison Township on a fixed income. He said he is loyal to his department and the Chrysler brand.

"I can't believe it that this is how they treat their loyal customers, he said, adding that he shouldn't have to shoulder this burden alone.

"They were negligent," Barnhard said. "No different if I didn't shovel my sidewalk and someone tripped on it. I wouldn't say you got health insurance so good luck. No I would be held liable for that."

Link:
Car stolen from dealership, owner stuck with $4,000 bill