HELP! Jeep Dealer Will Not Cover Bad Transfer Case

[GIOI24]

So, have a 2023 Mojave that came lifted from Covert here in Austin area. Bought it new and after 2K miles finally got a chance to offroad some. Immediately noticed a grinding noise in 4H and decided to go back to 2H and call it a day. I worked with my local 4x4 shop since they had done my regear and sway bar upgrade to figure this out. I had suggested that maybe the drivetrain could be the issue so I upgraded to an Adam's thinking that could be a remedy. Grinding noise still there and after using a GoPro to isolate the noise to the transfer case I took it back to Covert as I only have 2,800 miles on it now. The Dealer now says that I voided the warranty on the transfer case by upgrading to the front driveshaft and I have to pay $3,400 for a new transfer case as they found metal shavings on the drain plug. Any thoughts on working with dealers for this type of stuff?

Sponsored

 

[arosen1997]

So, have a 2023 Mojave that came lifted from Covert here in Austin area. Bought it new and after 2K miles finally got a chance to offroad some. Immediately noticed a grinding noise in 4H and decided to go back to 2H and call it a day. I worked with my local 4x4 shop since they had done my regear and sway bar upgrade to figure this out. I had suggested that maybe the drivetrain could be the issue so I upgraded to an Adam's thinking that could be a remedy. Grinding noise still there and after using a GoPro to isolate the noise to the transfer case I took it back to Covert as I only have 2,800 miles on it now. The Dealer now says that I voided the warranty on the transfer case by upgrading to the front driveshaft and I have to pay $3,400 for a new transfer case as they found metal shavings on the drain plug. Any thoughts on working with dealers for this type of stuff?

Sounds like bullshit to me.

"According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty of your vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part was the cause of or contributed to the failure of the vehicle (15 U.S.C. 2302 (C)). This means that a vehicle's warranty cannot be "voided;" the dealer can only deny a claim if the stock part failed due to damage or unreasonable use."

Bonus points, metal shavings on the drain plug magnet is not a fucking diagnosis. That's a symptom of something failing, unless they pull that T case and crack it open, or put a fiber optic inspection camera in there to find the part failing there's no way they can pin the failure on the new driveshaft. Most likely you just have a lazy dealership not wanting to do warranty work.

 

[wildtaco]

If they're firm on that position, I would review bomb them on Google, dealer rater, etc. That is unacceptable. You'll probably receive a phone call from the service manager on the same day. Ask me how I know....

 

[PuddleJumper]

Sounds like bullshit to me.

"According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty of your vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part was the cause of or contributed to the failure of the vehicle (15 U.S.C. 2302 (C)). This means that a vehicle's warranty cannot be "voided;" the dealer can only deny a claim if the stock part failed due to damage or unreasonable use."

Bonus points, metal shavings on the drain plug magnet is not a fucking diagnosis. That's a symptom of something failing, unless they pull that T case and crack it open, or put a fiber optic inspection camera in there to find the part failing there's no way they can pin the failure on the new driveshaft. Most likely you just have a lazy dealership not wanting to do warranty work.

what he said, state the law and/or get a lawyer involved.

 

[Minty JL]

I would love to hear the Tech or Service manager explain how a different driveshaft killed the transfer case

 

[arosen1997]

I would love to hear the Tech or Service manager explain how a different driveshaft killed the transfer case

These are the kinds of mechanics I really would love to have conversations with about how they're not mechanics, just parts changers.
The only way I could possibly think of a driveshaft breaking the T-case is if it's too long at the suspension's minimum distance for the driveshaft and is pushing the yoke into the bearing in the T-case.

 

[GIOI24]

Thank you all for the feedback...the Driveshaft was installed by one of the premier 4x4 shops in Texas, who are an authorized AMW shop, and just an amazing group of guys to work with. They custom measured and installed my Driveshaft and performed an alignment to make sure all of their work was still dialed in. I am just in shock that the dealer is fighting me on this considering I have about 50 yards total of 4H driving and less than 3,000 miles with the Jeep.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

You can always go to another dealer, or escalate with Stellantis.

When I did warranty reviews, I denied everything. Most don't fight back, so that makes it pretty easy, but it's in the dealers best interest to submit everything really.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Thank you all for the feedback...the Driveshaft was installed by one of the premier 4x4 shops in Texas, who are an authorized AMW shop, and just an amazing group of guys to work with. They custom measured and installed my Driveshaft and performed an alignment to make sure all of their work was still dialed in. I am just in shock that the dealer is fighting me on this considering I have about 50 yards total of 4H driving and less than 3,000 miles with the Jeep.

3000 mile or less is supposedly a NO BS no questions bumper to bumper period.

 

[ArchEtech]

You could try arguing but if you modified the gears, lifted it, put additional weight loads etc etc on stock parts, that seems like a pretty easy out for FCA warranty coverage.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

You could try arguing but if you modified the gears, lifted it, put additional weight loads etc etc on stock parts, that seems like a pretty easy out for FCA warranty coverage.

It's not, they would have to return the parts to the Tech Center, analyze them, and provide a preponderance of evidence that those things led to his failure.

It's just not going to be as easy as saying that.

He has to escalate, get a level 2 rep, open a Star case, etc etc.

 

[GIOI24]

You could try arguing but if you modified the gears, lifted it, put additional weight loads etc etc on stock parts, that seems like a pretty easy out for FCA warranty coverage.

Well, the dealer lifted it and put 37" tires on it before I ever bought it. The only thing I did was regear and add the driveshaft.

 

[ZeeJay]

Go hang that in their ass. Driveline simply connects two yokes that are on supported bearings. Driveline length being incorrect causing thrust into bearings possible but not likely. Regardless of any possibility a good tech would tear the t case down and FA it for a root cause. arosen1997 back up
the road already said it, metal is symptom not a root cause. I work with this shit work product everyday from other “techs”…..pin the tail on the donkey “it’s this part for this reason” and most couldn’t failure analysis a bowl of oatmeal.

 

[ArchEtech]

Well, the dealer lifted it and put 37" tires on it before I ever bought it. The only thing I did was regear and add the driveshaft.

Did you get it in writing that it would not void any warranty? If so you might have some ammo for the dealer to cover it if FCA won’t, as well as show that documentation to FCA to convince them. In the end you may still have a fight either way. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be pissed just like you, I’m just saying FCA has a pretty easy out here.

 

[arosen1997]

Did you get it in writing that it would not void any warranty? If so you might have some ammo for the dealer to cover it if FCA won’t, as well as show that documentation to FCA to convince them. In the end you may still have a fight either way. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be pissed just like you, I’m just saying FCA has a pretty easy out here.

You must've missed my previous post.

"According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty of your vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part was the cause of or contributed to the failure of the vehicle (15 U.S.C. 2302 (C)). This means that a vehicle's warranty cannot be "voided;" the dealer can only deny a claim if the stock part failed due to damage or unreasonable use."

They have to PROVE the driveshaft directly caused or contributed to the failure. It's federal law. If OP got his driveshaft added by an AMW 4X4 authorized shop there is a very low chance they got the driveshaft wrong, but even if they did, FCA has to prove they did. And if FCA is able to prove they did get the driveshaft wrong, OP has a slam dunk for making the shop pay the repair bill. Either way FCA does not have an easy out unless OP is just going to roll over and take it.

Sponsored