Warranty Denied Due to Modifications

[Pots&Pans]

Hi All,

2021 Mojave owner here with a Mopar Maximum Care extended warranty. I was recently denied on a warranty claim on the hydraulic front jounce’s (read as bump stops) that the Mojave’s have. Both driver and passenger sides are leaking heavily at this point.

My Mojave has an AEV 2” spacer lift and was denied due to “modifications”. While I understand that the suspension is modified, the kit is designed to work around the factory shocks, springs, and bump stops without any interference. The kit does a good job of this. Also will note that I’ve had warranty work done previously with the same modifications installed, however, the repair was based around an axle failure.

What I’d like to know is if there is any sense in trying my luck at a different dealer for the same repair. I assume they will go through the same process of submitting to Stellantis for warranty coverage, but would like to understand if anyone has had luck switching dealers and getting approved on the second try.

Sponsored

 

[MaximusTX]

Hi All,

2021 Mojave owner here with a Mopar Maximum Care extended warranty. I was recently denied on a warranty claim on the hydraulic front jounce’s (read as bump stops) that the Mojave’s have. Both driver and passenger sides are leaking heavily at this point.

My Mojave has an AEV 2” spacer lift and was denied due to “modifications”. While I understand that the suspension is modified, the kit is designed to work around the factory shocks, springs, and bump stops without any interference. The kit does a good job of this. Also will note that I’ve had warranty work done previously with the same modifications installed, however, the repair was based around an axle failure.

What I’d like to know is if there is any sense in trying my luck at a different dealer for the same repair. I assume they will go through the same process of submitting to Stellantis for warranty coverage, but would like to understand if anyone has had luck switching dealers and getting approved on the second try.

It might be worth it. Mine is heavily modified and some dealers wont touch it but one dealer doesn't care and has done warranty work on it for me. They told me as long as I am cool with them they will be cool with me so I drive 45 minutes anytime I need to take to a dealership. They also have I think 3 master techs working there so they don't need stellantis approval for most warranty work and can just do it as well. It might be worth it to see if you have any local dealerships that have master techs working at them.

 

[Pots&Pans]

It might be worth it. Mine is heavily modified and some dealers wont touch it but one dealer doesn't care and has done warranty work on it for me. They told me as long as I am cool with them they will be cool with me so I drive 45 minutes anytime I need to take to a dealership. They also have I think 3 master techs working there so they don't need stellantis approval for most warranty work and can just do it as well. It might be worth it to see if you have any local dealerships that have master techs working at them.

Really helpful detail. How do I check that?

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Used to be part of my duties to review warranty claims on Gladiators lol.

Try a different dealer, but don't be surprised if you get the same result.

But they don't ask warranty permission first, they do the work first, then submit for warranty, so they denied you out of hand.

And, btw, I would also deny your claim, and your only option would be lawyer up, and you won't, so that would be that. I'd probably pull the mods before taking it in.

If they already entered the VIN in their system, it will be in the narratives tab and you're boned.

 

[ChrisNLA]

May get lucky with another dealer. Don't hold your breath though.

I had an issue with the suspension on a 2013 SS Camaro I owned before. The front struts were popping under certain conditions - it was a known issue though and GM had released a Technical Service Bulletin about the problem (and the solution in the TSB was to put the new revised struts in). My car had lowering springs on it from the previous owner. The service writer took the car in and called me later - he said that during a test drive he agreed that the struts were bad, and that normally the lowering springs would void the claim - but they were going to push it through since the TSB basically said the struts were going to be bad regardless. Got lucky on that one.

 

[Pots&Pans]

Used to be part of my duties to review warranty claims on Gladiators lol.

Try a different dealer, but don't be surprised if you get the same result.

But they don't ask warranty permission first, they do the work first, then submit for warranty, so they denied you out of hand.

And, btw, I would also deny your claim, and your only option would be lawyer up, and you won't, so that would be that. I'd probably pull the mods before taking it in.

If they already entered the VIN in their system, it will be in the narratives tab and you're boned.

Sort of what I was thinking and the basis for my question. Figured they’re going to see it was denied previously.

Did you work for Jeep or a dealer? Or for Jeep at a dealer? Haha

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Sort of what I was thinking and the basis for my question. Figured they’re going to see it was denied previously.

Did you work for Jeep or a dealer? Or for Jeep at a dealer? Haha

I was on the JT Launch Team as an engineer, so I worked for FCA.

To be clear, they may not have logged it, especially if they didn't do the work. And the dealer tech narratives are often lacking or absent.

If no repair was performed, and they just put it on a lift and said nope, which is what it sounds like, it probably wasn't logged.

But everyone else is going to have the same reaction.

 

[Sikjeep2]

You modified the suspension and now want a suspension warranty. They should deny. Your suspension is no longer how it was designed. (regardless if your modification made them leak)

Axle warranty or something else on the Jeep should remain unaffected. Everyone should understand that the manufacturer should not be held responsible for something that you modified. This is the risk we all take when we start fixing up our Jeeps.

Just my 2 cents

You can have them rebuilt or buy a aftermarket option.

 

[Pots&Pans]

You modified the suspension and now want a suspension warranty. They should deny. Your suspension is no longer how it was designed. (regardless if your modification made them leak)

Axle warranty or something else on the Jeep should remain unaffected. Everyone should understand that the manufacturer should not be held responsible for something that you modified. This is the risk we all take when we start fixing up our Jeeps.

Just my 2 cents

You can have them rebuilt or buy a aftermarket option.

I totally agree. Was more of a “while your in there”, while my Jeep was at the dealer for a different reason I figured I would have them see if it could be covered. Which it ended up not being.

My question is more around whether or not to bother trying my luck elsewhere. I’ve found, through experience, some dealers are more lenient than others, but wasn’t sure how previous claims/repairs were tracked.

Jrgrunn5150 answered to that point pretty well I’d say. I’ll give it a shot and update with the outcome.

 

[Zachanadandy]

It only takes a few hours to pull the spacers, bump stop extensions and shock extensions... and then take it to another dealer.

 

[Lunentucker]

I'd contact AEV for advice, and a possible testimonial from them that their lift affects the factory bumpers zero.
Jeep works closely with AEV on many things, and I'm thinking a statement from AEV in support of your claim could possibly change their minds, or at least give you better ammunition in an appeal.

You COULD remove the lift, take it to another dealer, and try it that way, but that's a butt ton of work.

 

[Lunentucker]

Option 3 - "Rentals Near Me"

 

[Pots&Pans]

It only takes a few hours to pull the spacers, bump stop extensions and shock extensions... and then take it to another dealer.

It’s definitely an idea, but remember you have to put it all back on. At that point, I’ll bite the bullet on a rebuild or some used ones off eBay.

 

[Pots&Pans]

I'd contact AEV for advice, and a possible testimonial from them that their lift affects the factory bumpers zero.
Jeep works closely with AEV on many things, and I'm thinking a statement from AEV in support of your claim could possibly change their minds, or at least give you better ammunition in an appeal.

You COULD remove the lift, take it to another dealer, and try it that way, but that's a butt ton of work.

This is also a good idea!

 

[WILDHOBO]

It’s definitely an idea, but remember you have to put it all back on. At that point, I’ll bite the bullet on a rebuild or some used ones off eBay.

Fox will also rebuild them for you. Mine are aftermarket Fox, and were leaking, and they currently have them. They’re rebuilding them for free under warranty. But it’s a mail in, and receive rebuilt workflow.

Sponsored