Jeep Wrangler - Warranty Service Experience

I bought a used 2015 Wrangler JKU Rubicon Hard Rock in 2017 with 20,000 miles.  After driving it I would notice the smell of antifreeze.  I checked the hoses several times, it never dripped.  Over time it there was minimal fluid lost but I could still smell antifreeze.  I thought the smell was from the antifreeze passing to and from the overflow reservoir.

I took my Jeep in for the 30,000-mile fluid changes with nothing being said about my radiator or the smell of antifreeze at that time. 

Months later I took my Jeep to a dealer for my annual state inspection.  I passed inspection and when picking it up I was told my radiator was leaking at the seam.  I was never able to see anything but the mechanic did.  I said, “That should be covered under warranty correct?”  They told me I was out of warranty.  (3 year/36,000-mile warranty).  I had 36,518 miles.  I said that’s not right.  What can I do?  They told me I need to call Chrysler.

I called the Jeep Customer Assistance Center at 844-827-2006 (877-IAM-JEEP) when I got home.  They routed me to FCA Customer Care whose number is 844-827-2006.

I called and spoke to a customer care rep.  I explained the history of the antifreeze smell and what had happened with the dealer.  She took down my vehicle information and assigned me a case number.  One question she asked was “How long ago did I find out about the leak from the dealer.”  I told her as soon as they told me I called.  (I left the dealer 1 ½ hours before.)  In other words when I found out I called.  I didn’t wait for months. 

She took down the dealer information to call them and said she would call me back.  I received a callback and she said Chrysler would cover a new radiator under warranty.  That was great news for me. 

If I had a dealer issue, Customer Care said I could choose any dealer I wanted.  They would call my dealer of choice to inform them of my case and what was to be done.  Customer Care would advocate for me with a positive result.   She asked what dealer I wanted to bring my jeep to.  I told her the same one since it was local and I had no issue with them. 

Customer Care called that dealer to inform them of my case and the resolution.  I had several more phone calls from customer care regarding billing.  Would it be a direct bill from the dealer to Chrysler or would I pay and submit the bills.  Customer care set up a direct bill from the dealer.  I set up an appointment with the dealer. 

On the day of service, I called Customer Care to inform them my jeep was being worked on.  They called the dealer to make sure all went as planned.  The dealer did the install and it was direct billed.  No issues and all went well.

I wanted to share this positive experience and my outcome from FCA Customer Care.  The customer service was outstanding throughout the whole process.

I also wanted to say a couple other things.  1) If you smell antifreeze, get that checked out especially if you are under warranty.  2)  Call FCA Customer Care at 844-827-2006 if you have a jeep warranty issue, are concerned about what may or may not be covered, dealer responsibility question, etc. 

FCA Customer Care took care of me and saved me some big money.  This was my experience …

IT'S GOT TO BE JEEP ...

My son has had a jeep for several years now.  He has the ability and passion to fix and upgrade things himself.  I have watched him 4 wheeling, fixing, upgrading, 4 wheeling, fixing, upgrading ... I'm sure there are things he fixed I don't know about.   

The following list is what I know he has done: Rough country 4-inch lift kit and shocks, Transfer case oil pump, Rear main seal, Slip yoke eliminator, Rear differential rebuild, Rear axle shafts and bearings, Front and rear driveshafts, U-joints, Brake pads and rotors, Timing chain, Distributor, Starter, Upper and lower ball joints, Cold air intake, Sway bars - front and rear, Steering stabilizer, Steering box, Power steering pump, Exhaust, and Custom console switch panel for lights, etc.  

Now, the rebuild is in progress with a new frame, tub, fenders, paint, wiring, etc ... 90% done.

Once he started with his jeep I started looking for one myself.  I wanted a newer Rubicon JKU, 6-speed manual, with low miles. I was told by a dealer that the Rubicon makes up only 13% of Wrangler sales so was told if I see one I like, move quickly.  I'm not sure what percentage of Rubicons are manual but in my searching seems to be less that 50%.

One day my wife and daughter spotted a Rubicon at a dealer so I checked it out.  It was what I was looking for so traded in my Silverado and bought it.  I added a Teraflex 3 inch lift with 315's, Teraflex tire carrier, BDS dual steering stabilizer, Fox shocks, Magnaflow cat-back exhaust, and a cold air intake.  My son says I need a winch and lights.  For anyone that doesn't know Jeeps, aftermarket add-ons and upgrades can go on forever ... and that's part of Jeep Life.

My wife's uncle was a service manager for a large car dealership and bought this Jeep new in 1970 for his small farm.  He is the original owner and uses the Jeep around his farm to plow the driveway.  The Jeep has never been road-registered.  It has a V6 engine with a 3-speed transmission.  When I was looking to buy a jeep, I drove it and we talked.  The Jeep is kept in the barn and has 11,842 original miles.  It’s a classic 1970 Jeep … Would you keep it original or do the aftermarket thing with suspension, tires, lights, etc.?

I joined a couple Jeep forums and have seen some very nice jeeps which got me thinking about the Jeep pictures I have taken at Vermonster 4x4, Whaleback, Firecracker 4x4, etc. including the Trench, Hill and Hole, Drag Racing, Rock Crawling, show, and shine, etc.  Double-click on the pictures to enlarge. 

Go to: the search bar on my blog and type in Vermonster to see those posts.

Kevin's other TJ build.