What to expect at Ram dealership with warranty concerns

[Techguy2000]

Wanted to ask what to expect when visiting a dealer with issues when under warranty / new purchase.

The dealership I bought from had a terrible service department (long story) so I had been calling local dealers closer to me. I simply said that at low speeds, 3 to 5 mph the transmission would make the car lurch/surge forward and back all while in 1st gear and I wasnt sure if this was normal.

One dealership said they have a 5 day waiting period, car must be left there for all 5 days before getting looked at, I could get a loaner (i think a rental actually) BUT if the tech says acting as expected I will owe all 5 days of the rental plus whatever days they took to look at it. Also if the tech were to reset/reflash it he would have to drive it "for hours" to relearn it.

Another dealership said their wait was 2 days, same conditions where i must leave car there for the wait period but there would be no loaner, I would have to have a rental if I still need transportation.

Is this normal? I have 600 miles on the truck and just want to have this and other issues documented / fixed but losing my truck for days and then potentially owing hundreds for a rental would really be upsetting.

 

[kittyjo]

Wanted to ask what to expect when visiting a dealer with issues when under warranty / new purchase.

The dealership I bought from had a terrible service department (long story) so I had been calling local dealers closer to me. I simply said that at low speeds, 3 to 5 mph the transmission would make the car lurch/surge forward and back all while in 1st gear and I wasnt sure if this was normal.

One dealership said they have a 5 day waiting period, car must be left there for all 5 days before getting looked at, I could get a loaner (i think a rental actually) BUT if the tech says acting as expected I will owe all 5 days of the rental plus whatever days they took to look at it. Also if the tech were to reset/reflash it he would have to drive it "for hours" to relearn it.

Another dealership said their wait was 2 days, same conditions where i must leave car there for the wait period but there would be no loaner, I would have to have a rental if I still need transportation.

Is this normal? I have 600 miles on the truck and just want to have this and other issues documented / fixed but losing my truck for days and then potentially owing hundreds for a rental would really be upsetting.

If u bought the truck through a policy that u do get a rental car while ur truck is in shop then no problems if u don’t then ur SOL I’ve tried before to get loaner car and no luck.... luckily for extra family cars

 

[SpeedyV]

Wanted to ask what to expect when visiting a dealer with issues when under warranty / new purchase.

The dealership I bought from had a terrible service department (long story) so I had been calling local dealers closer to me. I simply said that at low speeds, 3 to 5 mph the transmission would make the car lurch/surge forward and back all while in 1st gear and I wasnt sure if this was normal.

One dealership said they have a 5 day waiting period, car must be left there for all 5 days before getting looked at, I could get a loaner (i think a rental actually) BUT if the tech says acting as expected I will owe all 5 days of the rental plus whatever days they took to look at it. Also if the tech were to reset/reflash it he would have to drive it "for hours" to relearn it.

Another dealership said their wait was 2 days, same conditions where i must leave car there for the wait period but there would be no loaner, I would have to have a rental if I still need transportation.

Is this normal? I have 600 miles on the truck and just want to have this and other issues documented / fixed but losing my truck for days and then potentially owing hundreds for a rental would really be upsetting.

I always receive a loaner (a dealer-paid rental, in my case) when bringing it in for scheduled service...even if I’ll be picking up the truck the same day. Maybe that’s a Texas thing; I thought it was the case for everyone.

 

[Ellisstrong]

Wanted to ask what to expect when visiting a dealer with issues when under warranty / new purchase.

The dealership I bought from had a terrible service department (long story) so I had been calling local dealers closer to me. I simply said that at low speeds, 3 to 5 mph the transmission would make the car lurch/surge forward and back all while in 1st gear and I wasnt sure if this was normal.

One dealership said they have a 5 day waiting period, car must be left there for all 5 days before getting looked at, I could get a loaner (i think a rental actually) BUT if the tech says acting as expected I will owe all 5 days of the rental plus whatever days they took to look at it. Also if the tech were to reset/reflash it he would have to drive it "for hours" to relearn it.

Another dealership said their wait was 2 days, same conditions where i must leave car there for the wait period but there would be no loaner, I would have to have a rental if I still need transportation.

Is this normal? I have 600 miles on the truck and just want to have this and other issues documented / fixed but losing my truck for days and then potentially owing hundreds for a rental would really be upsetting.

Im in Texas too currently but always receive a loaner no questions asked anytime I have to leave my truck there for warranty work and that has been about 4 times. I hope this is the practice in Tampa bay Florida area as I’m moving there soon again and will be pissed if I am presented with your options. I also did not buy my truck from my servicing dealer. And I also can call my service advisor about the issue and he tells me what day to bring it in for me to leave it with them so he will be ready with a loaner for me.

 

[Techguy2000]

I really appreciate the feedback. I am in North Dallas (Texas) actually so good to know it may just be these dealers acting this way. I will expand my search and make some more calls.

 

[SpeedyV]

I really appreciate the feedback. I am in North Dallas (Texas) actually so good to know it may just be these dealers acting this way. I will expand my search and make some more calls.

You should, as it sounds like my experience nearby (Fort Worth) has been quite different than yours.

 

[Ellisstrong]

I really appreciate the feedback. I am in North Dallas (Texas) actually so good to know it may just be these dealers acting this way. I will expand my search and make some more calls.

My dealer is Huffines in Lewisville. Can’t be too far from you I imagine. Jordan Welch is my service advisor. Always takes care of me. Tell him Perry sent you.

 

[ramhead]

I always receive a loaner (a dealer-paid rental, in my case) when bringing it in for scheduled service...even if I’ll be picking up the truck the same day. Maybe that’s a Texas thing; I thought it was the case for everyone.

A "free" loaner car is now an exception rather than the rule like it used to be. In NJ with my dealer it was explained that I would need to rent a car from an affiliated rental co. and I would be reimbursed by FCA if it was a covered problem. Still not a bad deal (and essentially "free" after jumping thru hoops)....and when you think about it, it makes total sense from FCA/dealer perspective - it puts the onus on the customer and stops them from bringing a veh. in for every "might be a problem" when they know they may be responsible for the cost. I have to imagine this policy came about because of that.....people constantly coming in and complaining of issues that turned out to be not (or not covered) but demanding/getting a loaner car when in reality, they weren't really eligible to get one.

 

[RamCares]

I really appreciate the feedback. I am in North Dallas (Texas) actually so good to know it may just be these dealers acting this way. I will expand my search and make some more calls.

Hey Techguy2000,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your transmission. Once you find a dealer you’d like to move forward with, we would be happy to escalate a case on your behalf so that a Case Specialist can work with your dealer to find a potential solution. We’re just a private message away if this would be of interest.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[SynAckuL]

I hope this is the practice in Tampa bay Florida area as I’m moving there soon again and will be pissed if I am presented with your options.

I'm in the TB area. It depends on the dealer and the circumstances. If it's a same day warranty repair, you'll likely just get bused to a place of your choice. Right now, they're doing four days worth of part installs on my truck, and they gave me a loaner for free for those four days - after I politely asked for one.

On my previous truck that had transmission issues, they always gave me a loaner when they were checking it out overnight.

 

[Ellisstrong]

I'm in the TB area. It depends on the dealer and the circumstances. If it's a same day warranty repair, you'll likely just get bused to a place of your choice. Right now, they're doing four days worth of part installs on my truck, and they gave me a loaner for free for those four days - after I politely asked for one.

On my previous truck that had transmission issues, they always gave me a loaner when they were checking it out overnight.

Which dealer do you use as I will need a new service dealer I am sure

 

[SynAckuL]

I take my truck to Courtesy Dodge, but that's due to convenience and location. I've heard good things about Jim Browne Dodge if you're in Tampa proper.

 

[Ellisstrong]

I take my truck to Courtesy Dodge, but that's due to convenience and location. I've heard good things about Jim Browne Dodge if you're in Tampa proper.

I saw there reviews on google and probably will use them. I’ll make the drive.

 

[Ratfink]

Wanted to ask what to expect when visiting a dealer with issues when under warranty / new purchase.

The dealership I bought from had a terrible service department (long story) so I had been calling local dealers closer to me. I simply said that at low speeds, 3 to 5 mph the transmission would make the car lurch/surge forward and back all while in 1st gear and I wasnt sure if this was normal.

One dealership said they have a 5 day waiting period, car must be left there for all 5 days before getting looked at, I could get a loaner (i think a rental actually) BUT if the tech says acting as expected I will owe all 5 days of the rental plus whatever days they took to look at it. Also if the tech were to reset/reflash it he would have to drive it "for hours" to relearn it.

Another dealership said their wait was 2 days, same conditions where i must leave car there for the wait period but there would be no loaner, I would have to have a rental if I still need transportation.

Is this normal? I have 600 miles on the truck and just want to have this and other issues documented / fixed but losing my truck for days and then potentially owing hundreds for a rental would really be upsetting.

Wanted to ask what to expect when visiting a dealer with issues when under warranty / new purchase.

The dealership I bought from had a terrible service department (long story) so I had been calling local dealers closer to me. I simply said that at low speeds, 3 to 5 mph the transmission would make the car lurch/surge forward and back all while in 1st gear and I wasnt sure if this was normal.

One dealership said they have a 5 day waiting period, car must be left there for all 5 days before getting looked at, I could get a loaner (i think a rental actually) BUT if the tech says acting as expected I will owe all 5 days of the rental plus whatever days they took to look at it. Also if the tech were to reset/reflash it he would have to drive it "for hours" to relearn it.

Another dealership said their wait was 2 days, same conditions where i must leave car there for the wait period but there would be no loaner, I would have to have a rental if I still need transportation.

Is this normal? I have 600 miles on the truck and just want to have this and other issues documented / fixed but losing my truck for days and then potentially owing hundreds for a rental would really be upsetting.

I am not happy with RAM, I paid 62K for 2021 RAM eco, it is using coolant. I took to dealer and the had all day and said they have not looked at it and I have other vehicles ahead. I said what about a loaner they said they don't have one. So should I have bought two vehicles? This makes very little sense. The burden should be on RAM not the customer. WTF, so I am pissed! My first RAM was a 2016 Eco, right at 100K the engine started have a lot of issues. Now this one, I guess it would not be bad if I had another car.