Seven weeks after their Ram 1500 truck was stolen from a hotel parking lot near Toronto, Micheil and Christopher Bennett of Ilderton, Ont., are no closer to having a working vehicle while waiting for a replacement part.
“I might have to take an Uber to work,” Micheil joked in an attempt to bring some levity to what she’s calling a a “nightmare” situation.
It all started on Jan. 26, when Micheil and Christopher were staying overnight at the Embassy Suites Hilton Hotel near Pearson International Airport in Toronto, where they were sightseeing and attending a trade show.
They returned to the hotel parkade the next day to find that their truck — a 2023 crew cab, four-wheel-drive sport model with 30,000 kilometres on the odometer — was missing from the hotel’s parking garage…
Parts shortages still a problem
It was at this point that Bennett ran into a problem that has plagued many car manufacturers and customers since the COVID-19 pandemic: A shortage of replacement parts.
She was told a replacement computer for the truck could take a few weeks to arrive. However, each time she calls, they give her a revised delivery time that’s two weeks ahead.
In an effort to source the part herself, Bennett called other dealers and was told there’s a pressing shortage of that particular Ram vehicle computer across North America. One dealer in Brampton told her he has a waitlist more than 110 names deep. She’s heard other explanations, including that the manufacturer, Stellantis, now uses a different computer in Ram trucks.
Fears about depreciation
George Iny is with with the Automobile Protection Association, a consumer advocacy group that helps members deal with issues with vehicles.
He said while some vehicle companies managed to fix supply chain problems during the pandemic years, others continue to have long delivery delays.
“They were messed up before and they’re worse messed up today,” he said. “For the consumer, it’s very unfair. The carmakers that have parts problems … they don’t really accept full responsibility for the harm they’re causing.”
Iny encourages vehicle owners to follow Micheil’s lead and take an active role in tracking down the needed part.
“It’s cheaper than having to pay for a vehicle that you can’t drive,” he said.