Questions about warranty coverage and Jeep dealer installed factory parts

[Dls79]

I have a 2021 JTR with just over 7,000 miles. Because I routinely carry around 800 lbs in the vehicle and pull a trailer (<3,000 lbs total trailer weight), I’m considering having a Jeep dealer install factory 4.88 gears. I have been told by one dealer tell me that they would not perform that work because it would “void your warranty “. Another dealer is telling me that they could do the work for approximately $2,500 and it would not impact my warranty. Does anyone have any insight to this situation?

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[NachoRuby]

I have a 2021 JTR with just over 7,000 miles. Because I routinely carry around 800 lbs in the vehicle and pull a trailer (<3,000 lbs total trailer weight), I’m considering having a Jeep dealer install factory 4.88 gears. I have been told by one dealer tell me that they would not perform that work because it would “void your warranty “. Another dealer is telling me that they could do the work for approximately $2,500 and it would not impact my warranty. Does anyone have any insight to this situation?

If it's Mopar parts installed by a dealership, they will come with their own warranty for those parts. It won't void the rest of your warranty.

 

[Dls79]

I am being told by Jeep Cares that if I have an issue that is deemed to be because the vehicle was modified from original factory specifications my warranty may not cover repairs despite the fact that those modifications used Jeep factory parts that were installed by a Jeep dealer and that same modification was available as a factory option for my specific vehicle.
is there a way to get a definitive answer to this issue from Jeep?

 

[NachoRuby]

I am being told by Jeep Cares that if I have an issue that is deemed to be because the vehicle was modified from original factory specifications my warranty may not cover repairs despite the fact that those modifications used Jeep factory parts that were installed by a Jeep dealer and that same modification was available as a factory option for my specific vehicle.
is there a way to get a definitive answer to this issue from Jeep?

Are you just putting on parts from a 4.88 equipped wrangler, or are you buying them from the JPP catalog? They have a catalog of aftermarket parts, and they come with 3/36000 warranty for most of them.
If you're buying wrangler parts, as dumb as it is, they won't warranty them, because they aren't meant for your vehicle.

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/shop/performance/jeep-performance-parts.html

 

[NachoRuby]

Are you just putting on parts from a 4.88 equipped wrangler, or are you buying them from the JPP catalog? They have a catalog of aftermarket parts, and they come with 3/36000 warranty for most of them.

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/shop/performance/jeep-performance-parts.html

Parts warranty is on page 66 of the pdf catalog.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

https://www.autocare.org/government-relations/current-issues/Magnuson-Moss-Warranty-Act

I would go to bat with this- especially if you are having a dealer install. Talk with the service manager and get a feel for it.
Some dealers are going to look for everything to deny claims…. Others are going to be sensible…..
As far as price- might make the warranty issue easier by paying more at the dealer ??‍.

otherwise$2500 is about 700 more than what I have seen to be”average” for parts/labor.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I am being told by Jeep Cares that if I have an issue that is deemed to be because the vehicle was modified from original factory specifications my warranty may not cover repairs despite the fact that those modifications used Jeep factory parts that were installed by a Jeep dealer and that same modification was available as a factory option for my specific vehicle.
is there a way to get a definitive answer to this issue from Jeep?

That same mod is not a factory option.

 

[Dls79]

When I ordered my gladiator I had the option of specifying 4.88 gears and I did not. The warranty from mopar on parts only covers the parts not any subsequent damage to other parts of the vehicle. So, apparently if I have the dealer that is willing to do the work and says that there is no warranty issue then at a later time I have another issue with the drivetrain, another dealer can say it was the result of non original configuration and refuse to cover under warranty.
I have gotten two totally different opinions from Jeep customer service now as well…

 

[Dls79]

FWIW, my plan was to have a Jeep dealer do the work and get all partS through their parts department.

 

[bleda2002]

There is no definitive answer because a lot of it is up to the dealer and regional rep for the warranty. As with most mods, expect that any issues with factory parts that d irectly arise from this to not be covered under warranty. That said there is not a lot that can really go wrong from gears that isnt going to happen to the gears themselves that would be covered by warranty anyways. A dealer would be hard pressed to blame your engine misfiring or a RMS leak on gears for example. The biggest worry is probably the rubicon locker sensor, but at this point they're stocking just the sensors themselves so even thats not a huge issue anymore.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

When I ordered my gladiator I had the option of specifying 4.88 gears and I did not. The warranty from mopar on parts only covers the parts not any subsequent damage to other parts of the vehicle. So, apparently if I have the dealer that is willing to do the work and says that there is no warranty issue then at a later time I have another issue with the drivetrain, another dealer can say it was the result of non original configuration and refuse to cover under warranty.
I have gotten two totally different opinions from Jeep customer service now as well…

The only way to get 4.88 in a Gladiator is to do it after it leaves the factory.

4.88 has never been a factory option.

 

[NachoRuby]

If you're worried about warranty, Buy the JPP parts, and have them installed by a dealership.
Rear: 77072410
Front: 77072409

Warranty info direct from jeep catalog in their words:
Mopar Performance Parts Beginning with “770…”
Mopar Basic Limited Warranty: Except as noted below, Mopar Performance Parts beginning with “770…” installed by an authorized FCA US LLC dealership, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT® and Alfa Romeo locations are warranted against defects in workmanship or materials for 24 months/unlimited miles from date of purchase for both parts and labor. Mopar parts sold wholesale to an automotive service facility and installed by a professional technician are warranted against defects in workmanship or materials for 24 months/unlimited miles from date of purchase for parts and up to $150.00 in labor. Mopar parts and Magneti Marelli® Offered by Mopar® parts sold over-the-counter for vehicle owner or do-it-yourself installation are warranted against defects in workmanship or materials for 24 months/unlimited miles from date of purchase for parts exchange only.
Mopar parts and Magneti Marelli® Offered by Mopar® parts replaced on an FCA US LLC vehicle still covered by the FCA US LLC New Vehicle Basic Limited Warranty are warranted for the remainder of the 3-year/36,000-Mile New Vehicle Basic Limited Warranty, or for the Mopar 24-month Basic Limited Warranty from the original installation date, whichever is more favorable to the customer. CUSTOMER MUST KEEP ORIGINAL RECEIPT.

 

[LostWoods]

Your truck is warrantied by Jeep the company and parts are installed by the Jeep the dealership. Anything aftermarket installed by anyone, dealerships included, may potentially void a warranty claim or parts of your warranty if they are the root cause or their installation causes unintended stress on a given system.

So a dealership can void your powertrain warranty on the behalf of Jeep the company outright because of the new supercharger you installed and the stress it causes but they can't void your warranty for new gears solely because of the new gears. They can, however void a claim for a snapped axle shaft and claim it's because the gears increased torque more than intended or something.

You'll hear a lot about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act but it doesn't mean shit. Companies have many very well paid expert lawyers and expert witnesses on staff who will back up any warranty rejection and you will be massively out of pocket to fight any claim. Make the assumption you will be on your own.

IMO I'd get gears done anywhere but the dealership so there is no record in their hands. Unless it was the gears themselves being replaced, we never bothered to check if they were aftermarket before replacing a trac-lok or shaft or bearing. Most aren't going to care but if you get an overzealous service writer you might have an issue if they see aftermarket parts in the history.

If this was when I was wrenching nearly 20 years ago I'd probably trust a dealer tech but at the old school guys I worked with are long gone. There were only 3 of us in the building of 36 techs on staff who actually rebuilt differentials and the rest just took the new assembly option when one of us weren't available. Assemblies are the new norm so you'll probably get better work done at an off-road shop that does the work normally anyway.

 

[NachoRuby]

Your truck is warrantied by Jeep the company and parts are installed by the Jeep the dealership. Anything aftermarket installed by anyone, dealerships included, may potentially void a warranty claim or parts of your warranty if they are the root cause or their installation causes unintended stress on a given system.

So a dealership can void your powertrain warranty on the behalf of Jeep the company outright because of the new supercharger you installed and the stress it causes but they can't void your warranty for new gears solely because of the new gears. They can, however void a claim for a snapped axle shaft and claim it's because the gears increased torque more than intended or something.

You'll hear a lot about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act but it doesn't mean shit. Companies have many very well paid expert lawyers and expert witnesses on staff who will back up any warranty rejection and you will be massively out of pocket to fight any claim. Make the assumption you will be on your own.

IMO I'd get gears done anywhere but the dealership so there is no record in their hands. Unless it was the gears themselves being replaced, we never bothered to check if they were aftermarket before replacing a trac-lok or shaft or bearing. Most aren't going to care but if you get an overzealous service writer you might have an issue if they see aftermarket parts in the history.

But if you buy their parts, under their brand, they have their own 2-year warranty. It also says that the original warranty remains intact. MM act isn't an issue here, because JPP parts come with a warranty that says it doesn't limit original warranty. I do agree that the MM act gets thrown around too much.

 

[LostWoods]

But if you buy their parts, under their brand, they have their own warranty. It also says that the original warranty remains intact. MM act isn't an issue here, because JPP parts come with a warranty that says it doesn't limit original warranty.

The manufacturer warranty will remain intact until it's not. You typically don't void a warranty just because it has gears or a lift or new tires but when the driveshaft wears out because of a lift or a wheel bearing dies early because the stress of new tires, that claim may be rejected. It's a fine legaleese line to walk and I saw that fight many times.

The parts are warrantied just like from Dana or Yukon or anyone else and they often warranty the labor of those parts if done by a certified professional but none will warranty other things that might break, even from a borked installation.

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