Being denied warranty work because I didn't buy there

[BigLizzard]

I have some rust bubbles on my hood. I brought it into a dealer to get it warranty replaced. I was told it would be about January when I brought it in in September. They have never called with any info about getting an appointment. I have left a dozen or so messages with zero response. I decided to call another dealer to see if they would have work done on warranty. I got told they wont accept anyone if they didn't buy from them originally. I then got on a chat with an agent with Jeep Wave. I was told I would have a specialist reach out to me within 24 hours.....and that didn't happen. My original dealer is across the state, so its not like its just something I can just drop off and pick up at leisure.

Im pretty irate at this whole experience. I am also given this line from two dealers that yeah, Im under warranty now, but thankfully when I would likely get the work done I would still be under warranty because I would not have gone over miles. What kind of bs is that. I am putting in a warranty claim now, the miles/time at the time of the actual work should never be a factor if you are delaying me getting work done.

WTF is jeep/fca thinking. This has really soured me on ever buying anything new from this company ever again.

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[Maximus Gladius]

That’s super odd. Dealerships get paid from JEEP to do warranty work. Why the push back and refusal? I guess they don’t rely on positive reviews or repeat business? ??

I too brought my 21 JTR in to a dealership (I didn’t buy my truck there) for the same corrosion issues just before my warranty expired. It was clear when I brought it in, the purpose was to document it and for photos to be taken. There was no rush and it was just before Christmas so I knew there was holidays to wade through.

6 weeks later, I had not heard any news and enquired into what was going on. This is when I found out Chrysler had put a “complete warranty restriction” on my VIN # which can not be removed. However, warranty has been granted on a case by case basis by the one that restricted my warranty in the first place. The restriction was put on my VIN # for simply using AMSOIL.

The dealership was fighting for me all those weeks to have FCA corporate reconsider approving the corrosion claim because my previous use of AMSOIL had nothing to do with “paint” and exterior corrosion.

At about 8 weeks and way over my time limit for the corrosion claim, warranty was approved. All my doors and full hood are being redone at their auto body shop. $8700 cad.

 

[916WI]

The margins that dealerships make on warranty work are limited--they probably have enough work with customers that bought directly from their dealership, that jumping through the red tape of warranty claims for people that didn't consider them when buying isn't worth it to them. It sucks, but it's just a fact of life. Possibly go back to the dealer you bought from and get a loaner while they do the work?

 

[BigLizzard]

The agent from Jeep wave told me they are not supposed to deny you because you didn't buy your car there. I was told that jeep would be talking to them, but after my overall experience, I don't feel like anything is going to get done. Im about to start sending cert mail or something, cause if they don't warranty this, I want to have documentation further down the road if its still an issue.

The first dealer I went to said they'd handle this, but they refuse to reply to me. Ive already left reviews for both of those dealers. I did get a call back from my original dealer and if I have to drive 5 hours to get this fixed Ill be pretty pissed. Ill be calling them back Monday.

Im not sure 916WI saw this part, but the original dealer is across the state, which is a 2.5 hour drive one way......not just something I can just go do at a whim.

 

[Lunentucker]

Sucks.
I know dealers are supposed to honor all warranty claims, regardless of where it was purchased, but that's like saying the government is supposed to adhere to the Constitution. Who's enforcing it?

Aren't Rubicon hoods aluminum?

 

[sharpsicle]

Did you ever stop back in at that first dealer you went to that said they could handle it? It might be as simple as getting it on their books in-person. Relying on messages and call-backs is always rough on both sides.

Yes, I know it would be preferable to not have to do that, but often that's the best route. And not just for dealerships, but for many other industries as well. Nothing beats doing it there with them. Don't leave without making the appointment!

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Sucks.
I know dealers are supposed to honor all warranty claims, regardless of where it was purchased, but that's like saying the government is supposed to adhere to the Constitution. Who's enforcing it?

Aren't Rubicon hoods aluminum?

Yes, doors and hood are aluminum. It’s not rust as you’d see with steel though. The aluminum corrosion pushes the paint out. Looks like warts.

 

[BigLizzard]

Sucks.
I know dealers are supposed to honor all warranty claims, regardless of where it was purchased, but that's like saying the government is supposed to adhere to the Constitution. Who's enforcing it?

Aren't Rubicon hoods aluminum?

I don't think they're made from aluminum based on the thickness of the metal

 

[BigLizzard]

Yes, doors and hood are aluminum. It’s not rust as you’d see with steel though. The aluminum corrosion pushes the paint out. Looks like warts.

I guess I learned something about my jeep today.

 

[Sweetums]

I have some rust bubbles on my hood. I brought it into a dealer to get it warranty replaced. I was told it would be about January when I brought it in in September. They have never called with any info about getting an appointment. I have left a dozen or so messages with zero response. I decided to call another dealer to see if they would have work done on warranty. I got told they wont accept anyone if they didn't buy from them originally. I then got on a chat with an agent with Jeep Wave. I was told I would have a specialist reach out to me within 24 hours.....and that didn't happen. My original dealer is across the state, so its not like its just something I can just drop off and pick up at leisure.

Im pretty irate at this whole experience. I am also given this line from two dealers that yeah, Im under warranty now, but thankfully when I would likely get the work done I would still be under warranty because I would not have gone over miles. What kind of bs is that. I am putting in a warranty claim now, the miles/time at the time of the actual work should never be a factor if you are delaying me getting work done.

WTF is jeep/fca thinking. This has really soured me on ever buying anything new from this company ever again.

Your state regulates car dealerships, find out if it's done though the DOT, consumer protection board, or motor vehicle department and file a complaint. I've gotten results with other brands by digging through LinkedIn and finding job titles like "Vice President of (region)" and emailing them directly.

 

[Tom C]

That’s super odd. Dealerships get paid from JEEP to do warranty work. Why the push back and refusal? I guess they don’t rely on positive reviews or repeat business? ??

I too brought my 21 JTR in to a dealership (I didn’t buy my truck there) for the same corrosion issues just before my warranty expired. It was clear when I brought it in, the purpose was to document it and for photos to be taken. There was no rush and it was just before Christmas so I knew there was holidays to wade through.

6 weeks later, I had not heard any news and enquired into what was going on. This is when I found out Chrysler had put a “complete warranty restriction” on my VIN # which can not be removed. However, warranty has been granted on a case by case basis by the one that restricted my warranty in the first place. The restriction was put on my VIN # for simply using AMSOIL.

The dealership was fighting for me all those weeks to have FCA corporate reconsider approving the corrosion claim because my previous use of AMSOIL had nothing to do with “paint” and exterior corrosion.

At about 8 weeks and way over my time limit for the corrosion claim, warranty was approved. All my doors and full hood are being redone at their auto body shop. $8700 cad.

How did they know that you used Amsoil?

 

[DiehardTory]

Reading thru this post, I don't see where the dealership flat out stated denying warranty work. Dealers are independent businesses operating under sales and service agreements with manufacturers. Many dealers get very difficult to schedule a vehicle service that was not purchased from them; causing much frustration. As for the one with the restricted warranty, the dealership had to notify FCA about something that resulted in their action. The owners manual statement: the manufacturer only recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of the manufacturer Material Standard MS-6395. Does Amsoil you use comply?

 

[Maximus Gladius]

How did they know that you used Amsoil?

Well, making this very brief because it was a long battle for using it, the short story is the transmission developed a whine at highway speeds at 20k kms. Oil analysis showed glycol contamination and the book says to change the oil if contaminated with “water, etc”.

Service manager said I’d have to pay for 2 pan drops because “Chrysler doesn’t see this as broken” (it still works). The two pan drops would cost me $3400. I said no and had it flushed AND after consulting AMSOIL and was shown their data spec sheet approving their oil for my transmission, I “upgraded” from the factory Mopar 8/9 Speed ATF to Amsoil’s recommended ATF.

So when the transmission tanked 8k kms later, the tech saw that the oil was red as a pose to green and Chrysler was immediately informed. DSM restricted the warranty on the tranny and I was told by email from the service manager that he will in fact restrict the entire warranty “if Amsoil is used in any other component”. There was no discussion about it after this and all this time later to the corrosion claim at 88k kms, this is where I was informed by FCA customer care that my whole warranty was restricted.

FCA lady first said there was no warranty issues. I told her to dig deeper as I was told it was completely restricted. She then dug deeper then came back on the phone to say the vehicle was written off. I said it’s never been in an accident and I’m driving it!

She then asked what mod did I do to restrict the warranty? Full restrictions are due to accident or some mod I did. I told her I went from stock 33” to 34”. She said that’s not it. I said, I don’t know then.

Later I recalled the email concerning the use of AMSOIL and put it together, the DSM personally restricted the warranty on his own volition assuming I had it in all the components.

After my insurance company replaced the transmission and faulty misfiring and coolant consuming engine at 32k kms, AMSOIL has direct knowledge their data sheet is a false document that voids warranties up here in Canada. They never refuted me. In fact AMSOIL said I should not use their oil if I have a warranty.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Up here in Canada, there is no consumer protection for owning a Chrysler vehicle with a warranty. There is NO arbitration both provincial or federal. Chrysler opted out of the federal program when FIAT bought them.

Sorry, OP for your dealership warranty issues. I didn’t mean to high jack the tread.

 

[BigLizzard]

Reading thru this post, I don't see where the dealership flat out stated denying warranty work. Dealers are independent businesses operating under sales and service agreements with manufacturers. Many dealers get very difficult to schedule a vehicle service that was not purchased from them; causing much frustration.

I was on the phone with a particular dealer, and I asked them specifically, so if I didn't buy my vehicle there, you won't do this warranty work, is that right, the guy on the phone said unfortunately yes. The reason he said, whether true or not, was because they were backed up over a year for this work.

Funny thing was that they had just replaced my wife's transmission in her non Wrangler under warranty within a week, which included getting an appointment, then dropping it off and looking at it same day (Monday) and having it ready to go by Friday.

I'm even willing to be bought out of hood coverage if they give me MSRP of a new hood. It's not like they can't track that in their system like they do with other people's warranty restrictions or denials. Even though they violate Magnus Moss act in some situations like voiding corrosion when using non spec oil.

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