One of our forum members getting screwed over by a dealership

[Isamu]

Originally Posted by Darwins Child

It's my pleasure.

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I assume you did not bring the vehicle into the dealership and say only "something's wrong with my car, so fix it". You described the problem you were having. You can prove this, as well as the dealership's understanding of the problem, by producing any kind of document that the dealership gave to you at the time you brought it in that states what the potential problem was -- for example, "brake pedal low" or "losing braking", etc. This will be solid evidence of a possible leak in the brake system and that the dealership had at least some idea of where to start looking in order to repair whatever was wrong and, quite possibly, that a test drive should / may have been unnecessary to repair what was wrong.

Ultimately, everybody in the world knows that you and other vehicle owners bring their vehicles to automotive repair shops to be repaired, not to be set on fire. Luckily, most people --even judges and lawyers-- are themselves vehicle owners and have probably gotten shafted at dealerships' repair shops themselves. They are going to be very sympathetic as they listen to another victim's plight. (Payback time!)

Therefore, I think you would prevail in a simple small claims court action in which you represent yourself. In North Dakota it seems to be a very simple procedure.
Legal Services of North Dakota » Complete Topic List

If you don't get satisfaction from whatever your insurance company does, if I were you, small claims court is the route I'd take to Justice. You'll get plenty of advice here for specifically what to say and produce at the proceeding.

Good luck.

I specifically told them I had a brake leak, and the service manager even said to me, "you're lucky it didn't catch fire, brake fluid is flammable."

[Darwins Child]

Originally Posted by Isamu

I specifically told them I had a brake leak, and the service manager even said to me, "you're lucky it didn't catch fire, brake fluid is flammable."

You didn't happen to record that conversation, did you? If you did, IMO, you've got a slam dunk for small claims court. If you did not, you'll soon find out that the service manager has early-onset Alzheimer's disease and can't remember a thing about your initial visit. ("I can't recall" seems to be the gold standard when it comes to lying, especially under oath. Most management-level employees at dealerships are virtuoso liars -- maybe not as good as presidential candidates, but close.)

Did you receive a service document from the dealership that states anything specific about the reason the vehicle was brought in for service? If you did, what does it state, exactly?

BTW, next time you go into the dealership's service area (if you ever are allowed to again), try to see if they've got a security camera either at the service counter or, better still, inside the service area where your vehicle was hoisted. Their insurance company may require such devices in order to insure the place. If either location has a security camera, if you decide to go the small-claims route, I believe that before the hearing you can get the video record via subpoena:
What Is a Subpoena? - FindLaw
but you may have to get one through an attorney or court, which should be relatively easy and inexpensive. Considering the circumstances, I cannot see on what grounds an unbiased third-party could refuse your request.