Yeah that is strange.

First of all, the problem being "expensive to fix" shouldn't be of concern to Budget, the car would be under warranty. Secondly, the turnover issue is probably the root of it. They probably figure it's cheaper to dole out a few coupons to those who complain the loudest than to send it away for a few days while it doesn't earn any revenue. I almost wonder if it wasn't just the remote battery (a $10 fix at any mall kiosk)...