Yamaha and "Carts and Clubs of Ocala" refusing to honor their warranty
 

their warranty! I purchased a 2012 and half cart 16 months ago from Carts and Clubs in Ocala. I have had a clutch slippage issue for the entire time. Carts and Clubs has replaced belts to no avail. When the cart has two people seated and two sets of golf clubs on board it skips and slips when pressing the throttle pedal. I spoke with the Yamaha customer service dept and they are saying that the cause of this is the fact that Carts and Clubs installed a high speed rear end (as they do in all their carts) and 10" tires and that therefore the clutch is not functioning properly and not covered under their warranty. I have had several conversations with the owner of Carts and Clubs and he says that nothing will solve the problem but another clutch being installed that was used prior to 2012 on the Yamaha carts. He wants me to pay $225 for this clutch. I am refusing since the cart is under warranty and nothing was said to me at time of purchase about the warranty being questioned because of high speed gears and larger tires. The amount $225 is not the issue but the fact that the warranty should cover this so I am moving forward to have a notice in the POA paper and plan to speak with an attorney.

Wow sorry you're having such an issue! We have the same year cart from them. We have the larger tires also, hmmm we did in the very beginning have a problem I think that had something to do with the belt but they came and fixed it at no charge, we have used it to the tune of over 2500 miles and no issues since , we have always found them and the owner Ted very accommodating and willing to help. Please keep us informed on how this works out for you.

Before incurring the expense of an attorney, file a claim with the Better Business Bureau after advising carts and clubs and Yahama of your plan. The BBB will work with you for a resolution. Companies don't like dealing with the BBB nor do they like the claim against them so the resolution is usually in your favor. You can file a claim easily online.

Thanks, I have not found BBB in other states to be that effective. Since Carts and Clubs is in Ocala I will have to file there but what do I do about Yamaha who is Hdq in Georgia?

I would probably file a claim against Yamaha since they hold the warranty. If I undertand your OP, could it be that carts and clubs voided the warranty by changing the rear end. If so, BBB may determine that C & C are liable. I'm with you in that it isn't always the $$, it's the principle.

I have spoken to the customer service unit at Yamaha Corporate several times. They actually say that Carts and Clubs along with The Villages Carts installs high speed gears and larger tires and this voids their warranty. I own a cart from both companies and no one, not a single person communicates this to the buyer when purchasing a cart. Yet, Yamaha allows these companies to advertise that they are "authorized Yamaha dealers". Yamaha says they build and sell carts to go 15 miles an hour and once you modify the cart they are not liable but yet they allow these dealers to say they are "authorized Yamaha dealers". Just wait till there is an accident and the cause is speed and faulty brakes and Yamaha says..."we are not liable since we make the carts to go 15 MPH" and they all are modified to go 20 Mph.

Were you given a written/printed warranty when you bought the cart? If you were and have read it - does it indicate what kind of modification[s] could void the Yamaha warranty?

We also had a problem with a Yamaha golf cart under warranty. My dear wife went online and found out that there is a lemon law for golf carts. Our dealer also knew this and gave us a generous allowance on a new cart turning in the lemon cart to them. Be persistent and look up the law.

Yes, and there is a written warranty. In small print under "General Exclusions from this Warranty" says that "Installations of parts or accessories that are not original equipment . "Modifications that affect the carts conditions or performance". The word "exclusion" is the question. Does that mean they will not cover those changes and they are excluded? No where in the warranty does it say that modifying the cart with different gears or tires actually voids the warranty. When you go to Carts and Clubs or The Villages carts to shop you see signs that says "Authorized Yamaha Dealer". They use the same on their paperwork and letterheads. 99% of the carts sold by either dealer company are modified in some way. In addition to larger 10" tires, high speed gears that allow the cart to go 20 MPH, radios, speedometers, additional lights and wiring etc. You the consumer are led to believe that these carts are delivered from Yamaha as they sit in the showroom. Not a single persons explains to you that the dealers are modifying the cart and this can and will void the Yamaha warranty. This is wrong and Yamaha is allowing them to do this and to say that they are an authorized Yamaha dealer.

Lemon Law for golf carts
 

We bought a 2011 electric Yamaha golf cart and had nothing but problems with it. The dealer replaced the motor 4 times under warranty. My dear wife went online and found out that Florida's lemon law includes golf carts. The dealer has to allow 105% of the purchase price minus depreciation. Using this information the dealer had us trade in the defective cart (for resale) at a good amount to be applied to a new cart. So far we like the new cart. be persistent and try:
Florida Attorney General - Search Results

Good luck

Sounds like the modifications also need clutch modified. You know like putting V8 behind 4 cylinder front wheel transaxle and when you mash on the gas the tranny blows. I also think weight maybe factor (terrain hilly in your area?) when the cart weighted down with the modifications.

I can see down the road form to sign if you want the big tires, high speed gear, any electrical device that will pull amps from the charging system relieving the manufacture and the dealership of any failures. Manufactures do this to get out of problems that arise. we would be probably surprised by reading warranty on anything in lawyers terms so they can wiggle out of free repairs.

As far as law suit, you may spent more than the repair even if you win. In my case I would just get the heavy duty clutch, but bottom line that may not fix it either. I know my scooter Has similar CVT clutch and belt set up and I can Change the roller Grams to get more torque or speed out of it to point. Haven't had the opportunity to work on Golf carts YET.

Sorry you had bad experience with new cart, with all the carts modified in the villages I would think this would be big problem? That's why I think weight outside (on the cart) maybe inside the clutch working parts that expand outward to change the gear ratio on the belt?

The Yamaha Golf Car is sold to carry two people and two sets of golf clubs. If weight is an issue then the dealer and Yamaha should state this in the warranty. They DO say that modifications to the cart are not covered but it does not say in the Yamaha warranty that this voids warranty of factory installed clutches. This should be specifically pointed out to the buyer and it is not. If there was ever an accident that caused serious damage or death to a passenger and the brakes were involved in the accident then I have this feeling that Yamaha would also say "well we did not warranty the breaking system since the cart was modified". There really and truly is no Yamaha warranty on the cart at all and buyers are being misled by "Authorized Yamaha Dealers" who are not informing them of the modifications.

Not sure how Yamaha is at fault. They didn't modify the cart. They didn't authorize that the cart be modified. That was the dealer. Seems as if the dealer should be held responsible for modifying the cart and not letting you know that those modifications might void the warranty. Sorry you're going through this.

They will sell you a stock cart that goes 12 mph.

Golf Carts are Big business in TV. Given the fact that all golf carts sold in TV are modified, it seems obvious that the only warranty you really have is the Dealer. These Dealers should be made accountable. Maybe the POA will take up the issue?

I'll jump in here. Yamaha the corporation does not know the cart has been modified. The dealer did the modification and should just repair it and run a warranty claim if need be, or if the remedy is to back date the car with an earlier clutch, they should just eat that cost and keep a customer happy. He'll they made 5000 dollars on the sale of the cart the least they can do is give back a couple hundred to satisfy a buyer.

Absolutely

Carts and Clubs have always been fair to us. Hopefully, you will work this out.

Do you really think "Yamaha the corporation" does not know the carts are modified to do 20 MPH. You think Yamaha doesn't know what Carts and Clubs and The Villages Cart Stores do with the thousands and thousands of carts that are delivered to these two businesses? So no sales rep or district rep ever checks out The Villages to see where their product is being used?
I think we all know the answer to that.

Doesn't matter, they will cover the warranty when you are selling so many carts, it's a moot point.

I too have a 2012 Yamaha cart from Carts and Clubs with 10 inch wheels and high speed gears. I purchased it new and have 5000+ miles on it. Any parts issues that I encountered were taken care of at no cost. I have referred several friends to Ted. I will purchase my next cart from them.

I am glad you think so highly of Carts and Clubs and I hope that you are able to continue the great relationship. That is not the case with our cart. The owner has sent his repair people over several times and changed belts on my cart but it still jumps and slips on the golf course. He is now saying (following a long phone conversation) that his company cannot repair the cart and he wants me to fork over $225 when my cart is still under the warranty that he proclaimed was in effect when I bought the cart. Yamaha is saying that he should not have sold me the cart with a Yamaha warranty since he knew that he modified the cart and that voided the warranty. This is not right and I do not plan to spend one cent when my cart is still under warranty.

TimeForChange, I'm interested in hearing how this all turns out for you just in case I have the same problem with them down the road. On my 2014, they replace the secondary clutch on mine (heavier "black" spring) and said that should fix my slipping issue. There is also a front primary clutch which they didn't touch. They didn't change the belt on mine, but turned it around??? Time will tell if this fix works. I agree with you, warranty is warranty and you shouldn't have to pay for them to swap it out with the "older" style Yamaha clutch, or an aftermarket TEAM clutch ($225).

Missing the point
 

I think many are missing the bigger point. Even if carts and clubs and The Villages Cart or whoever the dealer is, keeps fixing the clutch for free, when the warranty runs out YOU the cart owner will have to pay for the repairs. Or sell the cart which will be worth nada once everyone finds out there's a problem with Yamaha carts.

I bought my cart about 19 months ago off the showroom floor from Cars and Clubs. I had a clutch slippage issue with two people on the cart from the start. They once told me they changed the clutch which they did not. They put three or four different belts and spring on the cart and it still "slipped and bumped". Then Ted told me Yamaha would not cover the warranty and replace my clutch so I called Yamaha. I got no where with Yamaha Customer Service and they were VERY "matter of fact". They said..."we make carts to go 15 MPH" "The dealer you mention modifies the cart with large tires and high speed gears and that voids our warranty". I called Ted and he blew up using profanity and he told me Yamaha had changed clutches with the 2012 and one half carts and "if I wanted the cart fixed it would cost $225 for the new clutch" and there was nothing else he could do. I finally had no other choice so I paid the $225 and bought the new clutch but I have turned in a complaint to the FL Office of Consumer Affairs. YOU NEED TO BE AWARE THAT IF YOU PURCHASE A NEW YAMAHA GOLF CAR AND IT HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO GO 20 MPH BY THE DEALER WITH HIGH SPEED GEARS AND LARGER 10" TIRES THEN YAMAHA WILL NOT WARRENTY YOUR CART. YOU HAD BETTER MAKE SURE THE DEALER IS WARRENTING THE CART BECAUSE HE WILL GET NO HELP FROM YAMAHA IN GEORGIA!:throwtomatoes:

Ted blew up on me also when I had tire out of round problems on a month old cart (Carts and Clubs). When I kept pressing for new tires both Ted and his Son-in-law gave me the standard (You think you bought a Cadillac, it's a golf cart) excuse. Then I called, asked to have Ted return my call. He did, my wife answered, his words were "Can I speak to the a__h___!"
I've talked with 4 other dealers about this and every one of them said "It was the guy from Carts and Clubs wasn't it ? We hear that all the time. " Ted finally agreed to give me new tires and told me "That's it, when we change your tires we're done with you. " Of course the cart still bounces like a basketball but I'll pay someone else to fix my problem.
I'm very disappointed with my cart (6 months old and I have less than 200 miles on it because it is so annoying to drive, rather just take the car). One of the reasons I chose TV was the golf cart aspect and it is sad that I have an $11,000 cart that is no fun to drive.
Buy your cart from C & C, I just hope for your sake nothing goes wrong, unless you like being called an A-hole.

You can file an online complaint with the Florida Consumer Protection Agency in Tallahassee.

To the OP:

The poster who referenced the fact that Yamaha is clearly aware of what its dealers are doing is spot on.

When sun roofs started being pushed 7 years ago i purchased one. My batteries didn't last 1 1/2 years . The Dealer and the Mfg both claimed the warranty as breached because of the sun roof. The guy who installed the sun roof worked for this mfg for years. he called and exchanged blueprints with them they told him the sun roof would enhance battery performance. I tired quickly of the run a round and promised they would never get another $1 of my business

You are obviously getting the run around and both the mfg and dealer know that golf carts in TV are normally set at 20mph which is legal
I can't believe that going from 15mph to 20mph affects the performance of this cart. if it does then it must be junk and that is what I would tell them.

You are correct on BBB they are absolutely worthless.

Personally I am not enamored with Yamaha and I would search out an independent cart repair shop to fix the problem.

Then if you desire file a small claim based on the costs of repair and any other incidentals the county clerk explains can be claimed. Be sure to name both the Dealer and Manufacturer as defendants. The county clerk will mail the small claim to the Mfg and since you will need their address for the claim it will be readily available to the clerk.

I am sorry you are getting hassled.

Good luck

Interesting. I had the same problem with out of round tires, except it was with The Villages Golf Cart people. My salesman was no help at all. Took it all the way to the head of the service dept and got the same response. "It's a golf cart. The tires aren't the same quality as car tires." They finally agreed to replace the tires but told me that they would not replace them again even if the new ones were worse. They got a bit snippy about the whole issue.

On the other hand, I've had excellent service from C&C. :shrug:

I suggest you file a complaint with Seniors vs. Crime

I had the same problem with out of round tires when I bought a brand new 2007 Club Car from Cart World. They sent out a mechanic who weighed about 400 lbs and could barely get behind the steering wheel. Said i can't feel anything as my brand new leaned to one side as he drove it down the road. Ended up that I had to call the local distributor of Club Cars who told me they were having this problem with a number of new carts and had Cart World replace the tires. Got very little help from Cart World and would never go back again to them.

me too it took three tries before I could get decent tires.

I've had the clutch issue also and finally forked over the $ 225 plus 13.50 tax for a total of 238.50 Last week we decided on filing a complaint with Seniors vs. Crimes and they were useless also. They just called & talked to Paul at C & C and got back to us with an explanation from Paul that we had already heard. BB bureau won't do anything & it would cost more than $250 to file a claim in the small claims court.You see they've got us and they know it.

bump

I had a clutch problem on my 1 year old Yamaha. TV Carts replaced the belt and cleaned the clutch area. Works great. NO COST! I took a walk around Sumter Landing and it was done! Great service.

It's quite simple actually, that is, if you feel you've got a winnable case in Small Claims Court. When you file ask for the repair amount plus the costs of filing. If you are not that sure about your claim and aren't willing to gamble, you can continue to complain here. You'll find that the payback may only be the good feeling you get from doing so. I've been there and done that! At this point in our lives, it's genuinely a waste of time. If you are in to wasting time, see you on the links!

Xavier

The filing fee shouldn't be that expensive for a $240 claim, may want to double check.

Cart World
 

I also had a problem with my new Club Car cart from Cart World and they sent the same, huge mechanic to my house. He could not get behind the wheel at all and tried to check it from the other side. I do not know if he is a competent mechanic, but he is ill suited to getting down on the ground or behind the wheel. I am not mean spirited, but he could not detect the obvious problem with my cart. I called, complained, all to no avail. I will never do business with them again.

There is a lot of information going on here, but I don't think you'll find the local Yamaha outlets will help you with your clutch problem much longer. This is a known problem with Yamaha EFI carts with replacement high-speed rear ends. The local Yamaha dealers use the high speed gears to bump up the speed beyond Yamaha specs. Yamaha will not cover warranty claims on vehicles with the high speed rear ends so it is up to the dealers to do so.
The Yamaha dealers (namely Carts And Clubs and Villages Golf cars) fix the problem by adding a different kit/belt (Erlandson Technology is the manufacturer) that creates an even more volatile situation by creating higher RPM to overcome the torque deficiency. Yamaha has asked both dealerships to discontinue these practices, but will do so meekly as not to upset the sales of hundreds of the affected carts.
So this leaves the dealers to underwrite the warranty themselves. It looks like Carts And Clubs has made their decision, how long (rather how much) until the Laufersky family cabal that runs the Villages Golf Carts division of the holding company's Retail Operations will turn their backs on their customers? Signs point to soon as they are already securing a dealer arrangement with Club Car this year who will be introducing a new EFI model.
If you are considering a gas powered Yamaha golf cart, you may want steer clear of the EFI model for now or secure one without the high speed rear end. The cart can go 19.9 mph without the replacement gears with the mechanical governor set correctly, regardless of what the Yamaha dealers tell you.