Powertrain Warranty Question

[PuRGE]

Does the installation of a non-Mopar suspension lift void the powertrain warranty?

Backstory....I'm at 39k miles for my 2020 JTR. I've been having some transmission issues since July (forceful shifting when going from Park to Reverse). Talked to dealership about it prior to my 3.5" Clayton lift. Had to reschedule the maintenance for it due to personal issues. Lift was installed prior to me bringing it back in & they're hinting towards the idea of "big lift & oversized tires being installed" as to why it might not be covered.

So...

- Initial contact with dealership & JeepCares on 7/27/22 about the issue
- Lift was installed on 8/5/22
- Jeep was brought into dealership on 8/22/22 for diagnostics & maintenance on the issue

I have documented proof of contact with dealership & JeepCares, if needed, showing that the issue was present prior to the lift. Just don't see how they could backup their claim that the lift & tires are the issue at this point. Heard about the Magnuson Moss Act, but not sure if it applies here.

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[Wheelin98TJ]

It didn't for me.

2.5" Clayton lift. Got a new trans at 22k.

 

[dcmdon]

It shouldn't. But then again the dealer has a lot of lee way on whether to be pricks or even to give you things you don't actually deserve.

Putting on my ex-service writer hat, I'd tell you that big tires and a lift have nothing to do with any transmission problems. So I'd cover it without asking. Your mods could not have caused this problem.

However, if you came into the dealership with a handling, death wobble, or driveshaft universal/CV joint problem. I would probably not cover it. Primarily because there is a very good chance that your mods directly caused the problem.

That's how its supposed to work. If you were a good customer and we knew the shop that did the work does good work and all that, we might look the other way for certain items. Conversely, if we put it up on the lift and found loose suspension bolts and extreme driveshaft u Joint angles, then we probably would ask you to agree to pay for the work before we went ahead.

As it sounds, the work you had done could not cause a transmission problem. So it should be a warrantied service with no problems. I would ask for clarification from the dealer. I'd ask how they could believe that a lift could cause a tranny problem. If they say anything you don't like, try another dealer.

 

[sass JT]

Oh no here we go

 

[NachoRuby]

I just have tires, wheels and a spacer lift, but no warranty issues whatsoever. I think if I had a suspension issue, they'd probably not want to cover it.

 

[Gren71]

I’m not a master at the warranty process but I think it has a lot to do with the service rep and the dealership. I had my rear dif rebuilt a few months back under the powertrain warranty. I have a spacer lift but also have standard size tires on my truck.

they didn’t give me a single issue with the repair.

i also have thr hard shift from park to reverse, and park to drive. Ive had it looked at and they said it wasn’t an issue. Did they give you a cause?

also, I didn’t check but if youre close to DE i have a set of 245/75/17 duelers on oem rims w/tpms sensors you’re welcomed to use while getting it repaired.

edit:
I have noticed that when I start up the engine it starts around 1500-ish RPMs. May be a little higher or lower… But if I let the engine warm-up for a minute or so the RPMs drop below 1000 and I get way less of a surge or clunk when I shift after waiting

 

[PuRGE]

I’m not a master at the warranty process but I think it has a lot to do with the service rep and the dealership. I had my rear dif rebuilt a few months back under the powertrain warranty. I have a spacer lift but also have standard size tires on my truck.

they didn’t give me a single issue with the repair.

i also have thr hard shift from park to reverse, and park to drive. Ive had it looked at and they said it wasn’t an issue. Did they give you a cause?

also, I didn’t check but if youre close to DE i have a set of 245/75/17 duelers on oem rims w/tpms sensors you’re welcomed to use while getting it repaired.

Gotcha! I also had my rear diff replaced twice. Ugh, what a nightmare, but all under warranty. I swear I got a lemon, but I'm too far in now lol. As to the hard shift, they haven't given me a cause or solution yet but I believe I will need a whole new tranny replacement after doing some research. They did tell me that they "opened up a special case with the head mechanics at Chrysler & are bringing them in to help."

We shall see.....

Will update when I hear additional news.

 

[Mjolnir]

I know you posted on the JT FB page as well. You got the answer there as well:

No. It does not void your warranty. Especially since you have it documented it was an issue prior to the lift.

If your dealer is giving you issues, go to a new dealer with your documentation regarding the issue prior to lift install.

I will say, since you gave more info on this thread vs your FB post: Hard shifting from park to reverse seems to be a fairly common thing, and wouldn't look too far into it.

 

[PuRGE]

I know you posted on the JT FB page as well. You got the answer there as well:

No. It does not void your warranty. Especially since you have it documented it was an issue prior to the lift.

If your dealer is giving you issues, go to a new dealer with your documentation regarding the issue prior to lift install.

I will say, since you gave more info on this thread vs your FB post: Hard shifting from park to reverse seems to be a fairly common thing, and wouldn't look too far into it.

I appreciate you advice, however, it is still valid to reach out to multiple sources to gain additional information. Maybe a larger audience here, maybe some current/former mechanics who can assist, maybe people with similar issues on here that don’t have FB.

Again, thank you for you’re advice & have a great day.

 

[Mjolnir]

I appreciate you advice, however, it is still valid to reach out to multiple sources to gain additional information. Maybe a larger audience here, maybe some current/former mechanics who can assist, maybe people with similar issues on here that don’t have FB.

Again, thank you for you’re advice & have a great day.

Well, obviously it is good to get as many opinions as possible. Never said it wasn't so not sure where you are coming from with that first part. Hence my longer response made here than on your FB post. Like I said, since you gave more details, it helps. Parking gear has been rough for the majority of people, and a lift will not void warranty.

 

[PuRGE]

Well, obviously it is good to get as many opinions as possible. Never said it wasn't so not sure where you are coming from with that first part. Hence my longer response made here than on your FB post. Like I said, since you gave more details, it helps. Parking gear has been rough for the majority of people, and a lift will not void warranty.

Gotcha. no worries at all. Guess it sounded a bit abrasive to me when I read it initially. I get where you're coming from now. My bad. Thanks again, especially for the additional info.

 

[Mjolnir]

Gotcha. no worries at all. Guess it sounded a bit abrasive to me when I read it initially. I get where you're coming from now. My bad. Thanks again, especially for the additional info.

No abrasiveness intended. More just pointing out I saw an eerily similar post on FB and pieced together it was from the same person.

My bad it came off as such. Not a good week for my family so I am very grumpy.

 

[PuRGE]

No abrasiveness intended. More just pointing out I saw an eerily similar post on FB and pieced together it was from the same person.

My bad it came off as such. Not a good week for my family so I am very grumpy.

It's all good man! Totally understand. Thinking about you & your family. Hope everything ends up well over there. This has been quite a year for mine as well.

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