Touch screens are becoming more common in cars. They are more fragile than the dashboard: repairing them can cost a small fortune.
In addition to the entertainment systems, for certain models of conventional, hybrid or electric cars, you must go through the touch screen to manage certain functions (cabin temperature, security, speed and its regulator, sound system, telephone, lighting , navigation, mirror adjustment, opening or locking doors, mileage). It gets worse if it stops working or if you damage it.
Many consumers have to change their screen, mainly after an impact caused by skis or hockey sticks. Battery issues, temperature fluctuations, splashes, computer bugs or a poor Bluetooth link can also cause the screen to become inoperable.
However, with many manufacturers, the screen warranty differs from the manufacturer’s initial warranty, information that the dealer often “neglects” to tell you.
Thus, for North American manufacturers, the warranty is generally three years or 60,000 km (four years and 80,000 km for Europeans). However, that for screens is often less, two years and 40,000 km, for example.
On the other hand, the warranty of certain manufacturers, such as Ford, GM or Hyundai, includes the screens, the Automobile Protection Association (APA) tells me. This is also the case at Chrysler.
It matters, because repairing a screen easily represents a bill between $3,000 and $5,000. Some dealers offer an extended warranty over several years, which is paid monthly, the cost of which can exceed $3,500.
“In principle, the components are supposed to last the life of the vehicle,” comments George Iny, director of the APA. The latter confirms that some manufacturers restrict the warranty of their screens, and that consumers have had to pay to replace theirs, while others have not.
No clear rule
The Consumer Protection Office (OPC) states this: “The manufacturer is free to set the terms of the conventional guarantees that it offers to consumers, for example, guaranteeing certain components for a shorter period.” It is therefore up to you to find out about a possible shorter warranty for the screen, even if the dealer has the duty to inform you, by law, about warranty restrictions.
However, the consumer remains protected by the legal guarantees provided for by law. According to the OPC, “he could have recourse in the event that the touch screen of his vehicle did not have a reasonable lifespan or if it was affected by a hidden defect”. We are therefore in a gray area in the case of a cracked, cracked screen or one that refuses to function normally.
The OPC could not tell us whether it had recorded complaints specifically on the subject of vehicle touch screens.
Advice:
- When shopping for a vehicle, find out if the warranty covers all its components;
- Contact your insurer to find out if what is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty is covered by the car insurance contract;
- A claim against the insurer can be advantageous from a certain amount. If, for example, your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket) is $500 and the repair is $700, it is better to abstain, unlike a $3,500 repair.
