For how a shop can hold your truck for repair legally?

My neighbor bought a new 860 a month ago, I happened to be at that dealership when he picked it up. What a nice cab!
Anyway, the truck has been at the dealer for a week already. The headlights don't work and it has some other issues. Dealer is not sure what the problem is and thinking either to replace the ECM or the whole wiring harness. Have not decided yet.
The parts guy said a lot of parts are on backorder, including Volvo and Cummins. He said they got a VNM in the yard sitting for a year already, because they can't get a fuel pump for it. It was in limited production trucks and is not available anymore.
I personally had to cancel my order for a Cummins boost sensor, after waiting for two weeks, they still couldn't give an eta for when it's gonna be available.

 

Good adv1ce

 

So....while we are here.....I'm gonna thread jack a tad. What manufacturer tries very very hard to put out a great product AND is honest and trustworthy and truly makes a effort to stock parts and fix trucks quickly!?

Just curious because someday....I may just make the leap to new.

 

This inventory shortage isn't going to clear up anytime soon, what with that container ship blocking up the Suez Canal in both directions. They're saying it could be stuck for weeks. There's already a shortage of shipping containers before that happened, and inventories were already at historic lows due to covid too.

 

That ##### is lodged in there pretty good. 20,000 containers on it

 

They’re not holding your truck. I’m sure you could pay your bill and have it towed to a different shop. As others have mentioned, get the part number and try and source it yourself. I had to do that in Feb when I needed a NOx sensor for my truck. Peterbilt was 2 weeks out and I found one online and had it sent overnight.

 

Have you asked if they have a loaner or rental you can use while waiting for your repairs?

 

Not the dealer's fault. Its a parts supply issue. Its gotten way worse since the 'rona. We've waited on parts for over a month.

 

Another good reason to make parts in US A. May still have shortages but this crap is ridiculous.

 

As was stated above, they aren't holding your truck. You can pay the bill and you can collect it at any time.

 

My thoughts exactly.