HELP! Jeep Dealer Will Not Cover Bad Transfer Case

[Rahkmalla]

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.

Everything you've said is correct. BUT... dealerships don't have to give a shit. It's a Stellantis warranty and the dealership can deny a claim for any reason without valid justification and frankly nothing bad will happen to the dealership. Maybe a Stellantis regional rep will call the DP or ownership group and give them a "stern talking to", but also probably not.

That being said, this is why OP needs it escalated with FCA. Let them find a dealer that will perform the warranty work, because the one OP is at can do whatever the fuck they want because mnfrs are much more worried about pissing off their dealers than end users.

I've had to go this route before. My very anecdotal experience is whatever dealer the mnfr finds for you will bend over backwards for you to make you happy, because they'll just love that a local competitor dropped the ball.

Sponsored

 

[LostWoods]

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.

There's no proof here, it's civil court which means that their burden of proof is more likely than not. You have to go up against a team of lawyers who do nothing but warranty law and the statements of engineers who literally designed the vehicle. All they have to do is convince an arbitrator (yeah that's in the fine print) it's likely these modifications caused the failure.

MMW is for things like denying an interior electrical issue because you installed wheels or an air intake. OP has a lifted and regeared truck with 37s and a new driveshaft that requires replacement of the transfer case yoke. That is plenty of ammo (that is all significantly related to the failure) for Jeep to deny the repair and convince the arbitrator.

I have seen a fair number try for MMW when I turned wrenches and every one sat in the back lot for months until they left on a flatbed. In the 6 years at dealerships I never saw one get repaired.

 

[HooliganActual]

@GIOI24 Put the original driveshaft back on and take it to another dealer. See what they say.

 

[TinMan2020]

b

@GIOI24 Put the original driveshaft back on and take it to another dealer. See what they say.

The VIN has likely already been flagged in their system. Then again, he might get lucky

 

[HooliganActual]

It’s likely already b

The VIN has Likely already been flagged in the system companywide. Then again, he might get lucky

Agreed. It depends on what they noted in the system. If they didn't annotated an aftermarket drive shaft being the reason they told him to kick rocks, then...

 

[chorky]

Sadly, this is one of the reasons I sold my JT. OP you should get Jeep Cares involved as well. Sometimes they can assist. But the reality is the best situation here is going to another dealer. For me that was not really an option. But I live in a very rural area. A lot of folks have multiple dealers within a 45 minute drive. That's probably the best course to take. Even if you fought the dealer and won and they had to replace the transfer, how much would you trust that they wouldnt' do a piss poor job to 'retaliate'? Yeah, it sounds unlikely. But I knew people who did that. And is one reason I quit being a tech. It would be good to start a case for documentation but at the end of the day I would be looking for a different dealer to help you out.

 

[TurboChris]

I had a Ford store deny emissions warranty on a turbo seal on my 01 lifted F250. Claimed my turbo back 3" exhaust was causing HIGHER EGT's and that was what had caused the seal to fail.
I explained that the larger diameter LOWERED EGT's NOT raised them but he shrugged and said that's what my tech said.

I kept at it and he stated that "I could void ANYTHING on your warranty cause of your lift kit.

And no he wouldn't put it in writing.

It's a game. I said then I'll sue you in small claims and he actually said, "Then I'll see you in court"

That's what they do. They know that 90% of people will NOT go to the expense and effort to pursue it legally. I filed in small claims and they showed up....the judge shook his head, cited Magnusson Moss and told them to pay me the invoice that the independent shop had charged to do the repair.

So just because you have Magnusson Moss on your side doesn't mean much unless you're standing in front of a judge.

If you have the means, repair it somewhere else and then sue them for it. Or if you have something like the BAR in your state, open up a case.

In CA the BAR doesn't have enforcement power but they will issue a opinion / recommendation and that is GOLD in court as they are considered the state expert in all things automotive.

 

[arosen1997]

There's no proof here, it's civil court which means that their burden of proof is more likely than not. You have to go up against a team of lawyers who do nothing but warranty law and the statements of engineers who literally designed the vehicle. All they have to do is convince an arbitrator (yeah that's in the fine print) it's likely these modifications caused the failure.

MMW is for things like denying an interior electrical issue because you installed wheels or an air intake. OP has a lifted and regeared truck with 37s and a new driveshaft that requires replacement of the transfer case yoke. That is plenty of ammo (that is all significantly related to the failure) for Jeep to deny the repair and convince the arbitrator.

I have seen a fair number try for MMW when I turned wrenches and every one sat in the back lot for months until they left on a flatbed. In the 6 years at dealerships I never saw one get repaired.

If you want to roll over and have your powertrain warranty voided on your 50k truck, be my guest.
The dealership has done nothing to properly diagnose the failure of the transfer case. They are being lazy, taking the easy way out and hoping OP doesn't pursue it any further.

 

[Hootbro]

Dealership does not have to prove jack shit, they just have to articulate that the other mods "could" have caused the issue. Magnuson Moss Warranty Act really is not going to do anything for you here. The FTC is not going to parachute lawyers in on your behalf and you will have to sue in Federal Civil Court on your dime to enforce it.

Not saying to not continue to complain up and down the chain to see if someone take pity and changes course, but I would be keeping it in the back of your head of a Plan B or C will be you looking to replace on your dime.

@LostWoods made some good points. You are probably going to need "FU#K YOU" money to move the needle in your favor on this.

 

[arosen1997]

Dealership does not have to prove jack shit, they just have to articulate that the other mods "could" have caused the issue. Magnuson Moss Warranty Act really is not going to do anything for you here. The FTC is not going to parachute lawyers in on your behalf and you will have to sue in Federal Civil Court on your dime to enforce it.

Not saying to not continue to complain up and down the chain to see if someone take pity and changes course, but I would be keep it in the back of your head that Plan B or C will be you looking to replace on your dime.

@LostWoods made some good points. You are probably going to need "FU#K YOU" money to move the needle in your favor on this.

If he's not filing a lawsuit, FCA covers all costs associated with any arbitration per their own warranty so he doesn't even need fuck you money to throw at it, just time.
It's a vehicle with less than 3000 miles on it. The noise started before the new driveshaft was installed. The dealership has done no diagnosis beyond "lol metal on drain plug", anyone who's gone to an applied failure analysis course knows that's worth nothing. Said dealer sold it to him with the lift and tires installed which would even fall under implied warranty.
Even if he ends up going through the whole process and it ends up going against him, that will have cost them way more than the price of the repair to resolve anyway, so the vindictive side of my brain would Chalk that up as a phyrric victory. They may even have people up there at FCA HQ that crunch those numbers and will come down and tell them to just fix it.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I'm just curious why you took it to the independent shop, instead of the dealer, since it's under warranty.

 

[Vtur]

Any chance the gear shop accidently moved/drove the truck before completing both front & rear gears?

Another thought, did they accidently only regeared just the rear?

 

[MrT]

It could be argued(depending on lift size) that the dealership not installing the adams style driveshaft caused the damage.

 

[dos0711]

Jeep seems to go out of their way to try to not cover something under warranty. It’s very frustrating as a consumer.

 

[SGTBILL]

Having been down this road you must attack, internet as was said already, get in touch with Chryslar/ Fiat Daily and get the nastist Female Head Hunter Lawyer and Sue the dealer naming the Principle, and the Service Manager as defendments . This is WAR.

Sponsored