Transmission is ruined

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I should clarify, this is the same dealership that I’ve unfortunately had the displeasure of working with before, I had a 2018 challenger which I wrecked in the rain (yes that’s stupid I know) and at this dealership not only was my vehicle hit by a random tow truck in the back lot while waiting for inspection, but the dealership also tried to hide it. So obviously I was pissed and snapped off at the service Manager who in return told me I wouldn’t be in this position if I hadn’t wrecked my vehicle. So I’m not necessarily on the best of terms with them. I would’ve gone to another dealership but the same person owns all the dealerships in and around town and with my transmission in the current state and me not knowing what was going on my first thought was to bring it to the nearest dealership. they came to the conclusion that it was abused because of how dirty it was. They also determined that the transmission failure was caused by excessive spinning, and accused me of mudding in the truck. I clarified that I work along the railroad, so solid couple thousand miles of this truck has all been on dirt and or gravel Resulting in it being so dirty but they just blew this statement off. BTW they washed the truck at the dealership, so this is after it being washed.

You should really find another dealership to develop a relationship with. Your vehicle is not abused, why because you went offroad in the dirt with it? For what It's worth I've seen some of this dealer nonsense in the Jeep Wrangler JL forums where dealers were bitching that there was dust inside a jeep, and therefore refused to work on a failed item for someone. So don't get yourself drug down into a ditch because you don't have the best relationship with a toolbag dealership. While I've had no direct interaction with any of the dealerships near me for service work, for whatever reason, in my opinion, FCA dealers seem to be combative, of sorts, on some levels when it comes to service work. I dont know why, because they get their shop time reimbursed from FCA directly, so weird to me.

 

[Hdauceda157]

Stands for original poster. i would take it to another dealer and get them to fix it. if denied again, get an attorney. I wouldnt worry about what they reported.

Okay, I’ll definitely do that then, Ig the worst that can happen is I get the same answer

 

[Patsy1099]

So let me get this straight. Your 4x4 1/2 ton pickup truck, which only has 5k, was too dirty? So they think it was abused and ruined the transmission?? I would have laughed in their face. There has to be something I’m missing. You can drive that thing as hard as you want and in pretty much any condition. You haven’t even gotten enough miles to change fluids.

Short of racing or jumping that thing where’s the abuse? They would have to show a bent frame, mud/water in the intake, etc. For tranny abuse they would have to have something proving a supercharger/ecu swap, etc.

Did they give any more specifics on “abuse”? Specifically what they are finding, exactly what qualifies it as abuse? And the dealer shouldn’t even be the one denying a warranty claim. They shouldn’t even care. It should be FCA. Even if it was abuse, if FCA approved the claim, they should fix it. So has FCA denied the claim? If not, I would call FCA, PM @RamCares, tell them that this dealer is being ridiculous and they should help you resolve it.

 

[MJP]

So I have a 2019 1500 Bighorn 4x4, and it only has 5500 miles. I already need a new transmission because mine is burnt up. Dealership says it’s not going to cover it under warranty because the truck is “abused”. In reality, the truck is just dirty, and thoughts on how to get this fixed under warranty? And bypass the dealer?

A warranty is a warranty. From a legal standpoint they cannot deny repairs if it’s premature wear. A dirty truck isn’t a reason to deny warranty work. It’s complete BS. Contact Ram.

 

[RamGuy32]

I'm going to speculate that they are thinking it was in water...deep water. From the underneath it looks like water was there and drip dried and with all the sensors that failed at the same time, they're thinking it was submerged. Probably less than speculating if a tattle tale that they have in these things picked up on water. Perhaps they see water in the rear axle and again are just speculating that if it went over the axle, it had to get into the sensitive electronics to make all those sensors fail at the same time. Then again, this is only speculation and it is winter so yes, the bottom of vehicles will look wet with dirt all over.

 

[Trooper4]

There are many logging, electronic rattle tale devices on modern vehicles. OP mentioned he wants to clear codes. Perhaps there is a history that he's not eager to mention here.

You can clear the codes that are immediate, but if you don't clear the historical codes, all you have done is clear the codes that make the engine light come on.

 

[Hdauceda157]

The only reason it looks wet is was because it was raining the day before so the roads were still pretty soaked lol, and I haven’t jumped/submerged the truck at any point and definitely don’t have enough $ to the point of supercharging the work truck. there also weren’t any signs of water in the trans fluid. Or any internals for that matter, no frame damage either. The only odd thing mechanically was what appeared to be a hand tightened control arm bolt, but that doesn’t really have any impact on anything either way. And i can’t say for sure that all the sensors failed at the same time, because I am aware of the high beam issue (the very bottom code) and that was happening Well before any of this was a problem. And I’ll probably get in contact with ram themselves tomorrow and see if I can resolve this

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I'm going to speculate that they are thinking it was in water...deep water. From the underneath it looks like water was there and drip dried and with all the sensors that failed at the same time, they're thinking it was submerged. Probably less than speculating if a tattle tale that they have in these things picked up on water. Perhaps they see water in the rear axle and again are just speculating that if it went over the axle, it had to get into the sensitive electronics to make all those sensors fail at the same time. Then again, this is only speculation and it is winter so yes, the bottom of vehicles will look wet with dirt all over.

For what It's worth, I live in AZ, and even driving in any offroad condition WITHOUT water the undercarriage of your vehicle would look like that, and we have so little water out here, so trust me, that looks no different than either sloshing around mud in the east, or dry, and dusty conditions out west. Either way, of course, you and I would likely agree this is a BS response from the dealer.

 

[RiskReward]

Good luck! Definitely give us an update. Only thing that makes sense based on everything here is a vindictive dealer. But I don’t want to believe any of it. That a dealer would be vindictive is bad but I mostly don’t want to believe that your/our transmission failed at 5K miles!

 

[Hdauceda157]

I’ll definitely keep things updated, and I’ll try and find all the paperwork from the dealership today and upload it

 

[derp]

What would incentivize the dealer to snap-deny an even potentially invalid warranty claim? They get paid for the work, correct? So if it could or should be fixed under warranty, wouldn’t they? Why deny it and risk damage to the brand, their reputation, and miss out on revenues?

I understand denying invalid claims or investigating potentially invalid claims but can’t see them alleging something like this unless it were unequivocally proven.

Like those before me, not saying OP is less than truthful but does feel like there’s more to the story. If it is in fact abused maybe there can be a compromise because it would have to be borderline intentional to burn up after so few miles.

Dealers get paid in shaved pennies from FCA for diagnostic warranty work. a time intensive diagnosis may lead to only a moderate payback on repair and warranty work could become a loss proposition depending on the complexity of the problem. As for damage to the brand, I haven't got the impression that anyone at FCA, service centers or dealerships really care. service centers have a long line of work that is easy turn around behind you with a predictable revenue stream and will continue to get them so long as they hold the franchise. FCA treats dealerships as untouchable third parties and claims no recourse for fouls that the FCA authorized service centers do. Selling dealerships don't care at all, because once the check clears, they are done. lemons are FCA's problem and mean no money out of their pocket.

the whole setup removes the incentive for anyone involved to really try to do well.

 

[RiskReward]

Dealers get paid in shaved pennies from FCA for diagnostic warranty work. a time intensive diagnosis may lead to only a moderate payback on repair and warranty work could become a loss proposition depending on the complexity of the problem. As for damage to the brand, I haven't got the impression that anyone at FCA, service centers or dealerships really care. service centers have a long line of work that is easy turn around behind you with a predictable revenue stream and will continue to get them so long as they hold the franchise. FCA treats dealerships as untouchable third parties and claims no recourse for fouls that the FCA authorized service centers do. Selling dealerships don't care at all, because once the check clears, they are done. lemons are FCA's problem and mean no money out of their pocket.

the whole setup removes the incentive for anyone involved to really try to do well.

May initial thought was I wish I’d never asked. Then I saw your signature, transparent but gives a lot of perspective to your post, leaving me with this final thought: I wish I’d never asked.

 

[NDanecker]

What is up with the exhaust? Have you modified the truck in any way (lift, tires, etc)?

 

[Bighorned]

just curious bud. in the one pic of the interior. is that donuts in the field in the backround? lol just curious.

 

[Hdauceda157]

just curious bud. in the one pic of the interior. is that donuts in the field in the backround? lol just curious.

As far as I’m aware it is not lol, if it is i had no part in it (unfortunately) haha

 

[Hdauceda157]

Haven’t updated this in a while, current problem is the shifter autocorrect not even allowing the vehicle to go into gear, and I don’t mean drive alone, I am unable to enter reverse, neutral, or drive. Truck is at dodge waiting for diagnosing

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

You should really find another dealership to develop a relationship with. Your vehicle is not abused, why because you went offroad in the dirt with it? For what It's worth I've seen some of this dealer nonsense in the Jeep Wrangler JL forums where dealers were bitching that there was dust inside a jeep, and therefore refused to work on a failed item for someone. So don't get yourself drug down into a ditch because you don't have the best relationship with a toolbag dealership. While I've had no direct interaction with any of the dealerships near me for service work, for whatever reason, in my opinion, FCA dealers seem to be combative, of sorts, on some levels when it comes to service work. I dont know why, because they get their shop time reimbursed from FCA directly, so weird to me.

Recent JL Rubicon to Ram convert, and I remember this posting on the JL forums. Remember too that the JL wrangler has that damn flapper valve that just lets in unfiltered air/dust so even more of a bogus claim on the dealers part. And I agree, FCA seems to be all sorts of combative!

 

[Rob5589]

Recent JL Rubicon to Ram convert, and I remember this posting on the JL forums. Remember too that the JL wrangler has that damn flapper valve that just lets in unfiltered air/dust so even more of a bogus claim on the dealers part. And I agree, FCA seems to be all sorts of combative!

Odd that they sell a Jeep, with dual lockers, 4:1 tcase, disconnecting sway bar, and test them on the actual Rubicon trail, but won't repair them when you use it as intended. That's some kind of BS.

 

[MrTire Expert]

I think you should apply your dealer.

 

[Zooram]

OP, you have Rough Country shocks...is it lifted?

Does it have a tuner/programmer?

These are both common reasons to initially deny a warranty claim unless it was a Mopar accessory installed by the dealer. I've heard about warranty issues on modified vehicles on forum after forum.

Also, do you have Kahu or some other GPS tracker? If so, the dealer can see everywhere the truck has been and how fast you were going. I just bought a 2020 and want to remove Kahu...I don't need the dealer tracking my every movement. Look under the dash near the OBD port for a wired in box.