Missing driveshaft? Not a joke

EliteSHFWD said:

UPDATE: The service manager and owner of the dealership looked at the vehicle and were completely puzzled. After looking at the service records, they found a propeller shaft replacement job “completed” 2 days after we signed the purchase agreement (a few days before pick up). Without hesitation, they said they would order a new driveshaft and have it installed as soon as it lands. They didn’t question me about taking it to a different shop or anything. Any time I asked how this could have happened, the owner was adamant that his tech’s were awesome and couldn’t possibly have missed that. They won’t admit that there was any possibility that they could have forgotten to replace it, but also agree that the underside of the car is pristine and there’s no possibility that it fell off.

The best guess I have is that somehow it wasn’t put back in 2 years ago and either they didn’t notice during subsequent visits, or did notice and hoped we didn’t notice/sold the vehicle before it became an issue.

Either way, they didn’t argue with me and we’re getting it fixed, so I suppose that’s all that matters

Click to expand...

ahwinds1 said:

I’ve got my popcorn out, would love to know how that ever passed inspection at the dealer to sell as a CPO. I’d go to the dealer and raise hell. I’m not sure how one wouldn’t notice if it fell off, or better yet, how a dealer left it off - it’s not like it’s an inconspicuous part. Let us know how it goes. It’ll handle those Canadian winters a hell of a lot better once you bring it back to SHAWD. I don’t miss those winters at all.

Click to expand...

EliteSHFWD said:

Hi All,

Heads up, this is probably the weirdest/dumbest question I’ve ever asked on the internet.

background: my wife and I bought our 2017 MDX Elite in 2021 with 120,000km as an Acura CPO with the best of the best 7 year/160,000km bumper to bumper warranty package (purchased by the original owner, expired April 2023). This vehicle was a one owner, dealer serviced with complete service records for everything. We have also serviced it religiously at the dealer.

My wife has always complained that it sucked in the snow. I figured it was more to do with her driving and lack of winter tires than anything.

this afternoon, I was replacing the rear brakes and noticed the void under the vehicle.
Am I losing my mind, or IS THE DRIVESHAFT LITERALLY MISSING FROM THIS VEHICLE?????

I am beside myself with anger and frustration. How do I go about dealing with this and getting the vehicle fixed up?

View attachment 125590
View attachment 125589

Click to expand...

Brian56 said:

How can you drive without it

Click to expand...

EliteSHFWD said:

Hi All, Heads up, this is probably the weirdest/dumbest question I’ve ever asked on the internet. background: my wife and I bought our 2017 MDX Elite in 2021 with 120,000km as an Acura CPO with the best of the best 7 year/160,000km bumper to bumper warranty package (purchased by the original owner, expired April 2023). This vehicle was a one owner, dealer serviced with complete service records for everything. We have also serviced it religiously at the dealer. My wife has always complained that it sucked in the snow. I figured it was more to do with her driving and lack of winter tires than anything. this afternoon, I was replacing the rear brakes and noticed the void under the vehicle. Am I losing my mind, or IS THE DRIVESHAFT LITERALLY MISSING FROM THIS VEHICLE????? I am beside myself with anger and frustration. How do I go about dealing with this and getting the vehicle fixed up? View attachment 125590 View attachment 125589

Click to expand...

zahidameen said:

Don't waste your money on new parts. Buy this part from car-part.com. save a lot of money.

Click to expand...

EliteSHFWD said:

Hi All,

Heads up, this is probably the weirdest/dumbest question I’ve ever asked on the internet.

background: my wife and I bought our 2017 MDX Elite in 2021 with 120,000km as an Acura CPO with the best of the best 7 year/160,000km bumper to bumper warranty package (purchased by the original owner, expired April 2023). This vehicle was a one owner, dealer serviced with complete service records for everything. We have also serviced it religiously at the dealer.

My wife has always complained that it sucked in the snow. I figured it was more to do with her driving and lack of winter tires than anything.

this afternoon, I was replacing the rear brakes and noticed the void under the vehicle.
Am I losing my mind, or IS THE DRIVESHAFT LITERALLY MISSING FROM THIS VEHICLE?????

I am beside myself with anger and frustration. How do I go about dealing with this and getting the vehicle fixed up?

View attachment 125590
View attachment 125589

Click to expand...

ahwinds1 said:

I’ve got my popcorn out, would love to know how that ever passed inspection at the dealer to sell as a CPO. I’d go to the dealer and raise hell. I’m not sure how one wouldn’t notice if it fell off, or better yet, how a dealer left it off - it’s not like it’s an inconspicuous part. Let us know how it goes. It’ll handle those Canadian winters a hell of a lot better once you bring it back to SHAWD. I don’t miss those winters at all.

Click to expand...

zahidameen said:

Don't waste your money on new parts. Buy this part from car-part.com. save a lot of money.

Click to expand...

zahidameen said:

Buy it from used parts website called car-part.com. price is around 150 shipped. You may have to purchase hardwares to put it together. Not a rocket science.

Click to expand...

mellonc said:

I hate to admit that Elon Musk is right....... but the whole dealership network and the laws requiring a car company to sell only through dealer network should really be outlawed. Tesla actually challenged this law. As of now, 48 states prohibit direct auto sales from manufacturers. this is nothing more than middle-man/woman protectionism. Same reason why tires, hearing aids, auto parts, eye glasses and mattresses cost so much. The "middle" literally provides no value - do tires need some kind of user instruction??? Bridgestone or Michelin can set up its own stores in no time. In case of car dealerships, they destroy value and brand image. In fact, it's so bad that even manufacturers don't like dealing with them. My two cents.

(the whole dealership law was enacted in 1930s - back then, they needed the dealers to explain how to use the car, help with various features and stuff)

Click to expand...

datechboss101 said:

Man, nice pitch for buying used parts for a luxury vehicle. Now if this was a clapped out shitbox then sure why not. You still need to purchase the hardware for the used part, so why not get new from a reputable supplier like RockAuto.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

datechboss101 said:

Oh boy, I really hate the direct to consumer model. Had to take delivery of my dads Tesla, and let me tell you something: thats the most sour and horrible car buying experience I ever had. Car came damaged and they lied on the paperwork in terms of the mileage on the odo, but couldn’t negotiate a lower price. I wanted to negotiate the price due to many factors that the vehicle lacks certain features that actually existed for decades. I’d rather have the dealership model honestly./QUOTE]
The Tesla business model is to sell at a single price, no negotiation, and that is what you should expect. So complaining that they won't negotiate is more than a little unfair. If the car had damage they should fix it before delivery (or promise to fix it at their expense very soon), find you another, or give your money back. If the odometer had a few more miles than expected that shouldn't be a deal breaker but if thousands then you got a "demo" and likely should get a discount. How many miles did it have on it? This is not to say that what they did isn't maddening, and high-handed, and they damn well should find a way to accommodate your concerns. As for features, that is on you to research first, although others might benefit from a list if you feel ambitious.

While Tesla is far ahead of other manufacturers in EV manufacturing that doesn't mean it is the best car to own. Having Tesla being essentially the only place to go to fix the car does not lead to happy outcomes: prices seem high and it has been reported that major damage is often declared not repairable. Before buying I would check into insurance rates for collision coverage. While writing off a car after a relatively modest accident is a lot easier for insurers to handle than overseeing repairs I can't help but think it is going to be very expensive in the long run.

Click to expand...