It comes back to the district rep, that's it. Still a regional thing, and still very dependent upon the rep and his 'feeling' about the situation. It's not a very objective process, put it that way.

All the rep has to say is yes or no, there's no 'higher being' which decides unless he/she elevates it to that level.

 

It may go back to the district rep or corporate, but it's the dealership's decision first. For example, I'm on my thrid transmission. The first one had the synchros go out. The second one had too much gear mesh. Well, the dealership that replaced the first one said there was nothing wrong with the second one, and then they accused me of overfilling the transmission with oil, when I had never added any!

I took the car to another dealership within the same district (these two are only a few miles apart), and after a couple of hours they called me back and said that they were going to replace the transmission, and to come and pick up my rental.

So, it's up to the dealership first. It doesn't really make sense though, they get paid whether you're paying or Mitsubishi is paying.

 

They just want to make sure SOMEONE is paying. But you are right.

dealer -> district rep -> regional rep -> headquarters

In that order. Tech line plays a signifcant role in how far it gets elevated.