Mechanic Help

We own a 2004 Chrystler Pacifica With just under 100,000 miles on it. we purchased it at 45,000 miles and due to a great oil change offer from the dealer have had it serviced there exclusively since. At the last oil change they told us the plug would not get tight in the oil pan. When questioned they said the steel plug wears out the aluminum pan over time. I stated this should not happen unless it was over torqued or cross threaded. They said they always torque to spec and they offered to show me the plug to prove it was not cross threaded. Since they already told me the plug was steel and the pan was aluminum I stated it would prove nothing. For the time being they upsized the plug but say this will not last and want us to have the oil pan replaced at our expense, specifically $900. Am I right that this is their fault? I know that oil changes are where they start the new guys. Do I have any recourse, and if so what do I arm myself with to go in for a fight. Is there a less expensive permanat fix for this?

not many choices, if the pan could be snuck out easily i would change the pan, but not at your local 100.00 an hour dealership. my first choice would be the heli-coil though. and to answer your question about does this happen often, yes it does, the threads just wear out.
check around some other local well known shops. the only problem i have with dealerships besides the hourly cost is the flat rate system. its piece work and corners get cut

Just got off the phone with my bro-in law the dealership mech, You can buy 1,2&3 over sized oil drain plugs from your local auto parts store. They just thread right in. But the Stealerships stance is to replace the pan if the thead is striped. 10 bucks or so and your good to go!!!      

You should only need the next up sized plug. The aluminum pan is only messed up due to shoddy work IMHO.

Did the dealership mess it up? I would bet they did. But I highly doubt they would fess up to it.

I highly doubt that the oil pan would be easily snuck out on that 3.5 V6.

I say use the plug thread fix and be done with it, and that dealerships oil changes. If you take it elsewhere and don't do your own oil changes, then I would let the shop know you have an oversized plug on it, just in case some lackey attempts to put a stock plug or other incorrect plug in it.

I found the plug in the car that they pulled out of the oil pan. Does this still look like normal wear?