This is news to me. Just dropped off for annual service and asked for software updates and to take care of any service bulletins. The service manager said that updates are available, but unless I have a specific issue to take care of under warranty, they would have to charge me $170 for the available updates. Does this sound right?
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Dealer Charging for Software and TSB Updates
- Thread starter zignice
- Start date
Moparian
Ram Guru
Find another dealer, software updates and TSB's are supposed to be done free of charge. I've never had a dealer charge me for either, honestly I would contact Ram corporate and report that dealer.
WXman
Ram Guru
Yeah if it's a TSB and your VIN is covered and you're under warranty, it's a free fix.
If it's a TSB and you aren't under warranty, it's a charged fix.
If it's a general software update, and you're under warranty, then you'll need to describe a specific problem so they can do the fix and claim it for warranty reimbursement.
If it's a general software update and you're not under warranty those are charged fixes always.
RECALLS are the only things that are free fixes regardless of mileage or warranty.
If it's a TSB and you aren't under warranty, it's a charged fix.
If it's a general software update, and you're under warranty, then you'll need to describe a specific problem so they can do the fix and claim it for warranty reimbursement.
If it's a general software update and you're not under warranty those are charged fixes always.
RECALLS are the only things that are free fixes regardless of mileage or warranty.
brian42
Ram Guru
Unless you have an issue that the software update might fix then it's not covered as others have said. As WXman said, the dealership doesn't get paid from Stellantis unless there's an issue that can be considered a manufacturing defect (e.g. cracked rear window) or production issue (e.g. misaligned body panels). Software could fall into either depending on the issue.
If your truck is working fine but you want a software update then you'll have to shell out cash for that. The update might improve things, might not make a difference, or create issues that weren't there before.
I wanted any software update the first few times I took my truck in as this is my first new vehicle and my first one with this much technology so wanted to keep everything "up-to-date" (like Windows on my laptop). I was frustrated when the dealership would only do software updates for systems with issues. When they explained to me that I would be happier with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach I shrugged my shoulders and accepted it.
Fast forward 2 years of ownership later and now I understand what they were saying. In the beginning I wanted everything and I wanted it now but I'm to the point where if it's working well I'm leaving well enough alone.
I did receive a coupon recently for software updates to keep my truck running at its best with the most recent software so there's some conflicting information there. I look at it like this - I'm 90% happy with my transmission shifting (off-idle lag is a little annoying) and if I pay for a software update is that going to help the 10% I don't like or hurt the 90% I do like? Odds are that I'll spend the money and nothing will feel different or I'll find something else to not like.
If your truck is working fine but you want a software update then you'll have to shell out cash for that. The update might improve things, might not make a difference, or create issues that weren't there before.
I wanted any software update the first few times I took my truck in as this is my first new vehicle and my first one with this much technology so wanted to keep everything "up-to-date" (like Windows on my laptop). I was frustrated when the dealership would only do software updates for systems with issues. When they explained to me that I would be happier with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach I shrugged my shoulders and accepted it.
Fast forward 2 years of ownership later and now I understand what they were saying. In the beginning I wanted everything and I wanted it now but I'm to the point where if it's working well I'm leaving well enough alone.
I did receive a coupon recently for software updates to keep my truck running at its best with the most recent software so there's some conflicting information there. I look at it like this - I'm 90% happy with my transmission shifting (off-idle lag is a little annoying) and if I pay for a software update is that going to help the 10% I don't like or hurt the 90% I do like? Odds are that I'll spend the money and nothing will feel different or I'll find something else to not like.
Moparian
Ram Guru
Guess I just have cool dealers, I've never paid for any software updates on any of my vehicles.
