Interesting conversation with a Ram technician at dealer service dept.

[Hay Dude]

When I bought my Ram 3 &1/2 years ago, I decided I would take it to the dealer for maintenance/repairs and follow strict maintenance schedule. I repair everything else (tractors, farm equipment, trailers) myself, to the degree I can, but I decided to have the Ram maintained at the dealer. I would NOT have done this if the dealer didn’t have a great service department and I trusted them.

Today, I went in for a small recall and yes, some maintenance (that I could do myself). Talked to my tech for a bit while he was doing work on my Ram. In his 2nd bay next to my truck was a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. The cab was lifted off. Looked like big trouble. The diesel seized in it at 156,000 miles. It was far beyond it’s 100K warranty. New EcoDiesel was $19,000 installed!! Thats insane. The tech then dropped a bomb on me. All covered and paid for, even at 56,000 miles past warranty!! I was in disbelief. The tech went on to tell me that the owner of it bought it there and brought his truck to the dealer for every step of maintenance. The tech explained he sent all the service records to the local Ram service rep for our area and he approved a complete new engine installation.

He went on to tell me that over 90% of customers out of warranty are given the same treatment so long as they follow the strict maintenance schedule from Ram and do the maintenance as much as possible at the selling dealership service dept. He went on to tell me that should I have a failure out of warranty, it’s VERY likely I will receive the same preferential treatment because I used the dealers service department.

I had no reason not to believe him.

Anyone else like dealer service?

 

[Alan W.]

The local Ford Dealers has a program that warrants power train for life if serviced at a Ford dealership. They even offer this on most of their used vehicles.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I did lemon law arbitration the manufacturer's rep would often put great weight on Dealer Service and ownership loyalty

One couple had 5 new same make over the years from same dealer and always dealer serviced...

The rep apologized and said it will be repaired to your satisfaction out of warranty and gave a new loaner... they liked the loaner so much they made a deal basically settling the dispute among themselves.

I've seen the opposite too... no or sketchy records and factory cited failure to maintain and sunk the case...

 

[MossRoad]

That's outstanding service.

My wife just bought a used car from a local dealer. As long as we do the service there, it has a lifetime powertrain warranty.

I asked them how they can do that? They said because the electronics, suspension, and/or body will fail before the power train, or we'll get bored with the car and trade it in. Repeat customers are their bread and butter.

 

[notaz3]

A friend of mine that works for Dodge/Ram said that the first generation of EcoDiesel had some problems and Dodge was stepping up and replacing them even out of warranty.

 

[ruffdog]

From what I am reading online, those ecodiesel's are failing at a high rate. Some people have a lifetime warranty (2007) and other's have a extended warranty that may or may not cover it. Replacement engines may take a while to get shipped to the dealer too.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I had a GE heatpump water heater repaired under warranty, after it was past. They were all failing and I think GE was trying to avoid lawsuits.

 

[Hay Dude]

He indicated to me that all Ram vehicles would be considered for parts failures beyond warranty IF the vehicle was brought to them for scheduled maintenance and repairs.

He also told me don’t add anything to the fuel, except what they recommend, never run red dyed fuel, and other obvious things like that.

 

[ruffdog]

A friend of mine that works for Dodge/Ram said that the first generation of EcoDiesel had some problems and Dodge was stepping up and replacing them even out of warranty.

Gen 2 engines had plenty of problems too. Some people waiting 9+ months for a replacement engine. Maybe the fear of a class action lawsuit is forcing the "free" repairs.

Waiting on Replacement Engine

Stellantis | Better Business Bureau® Profile

 

[IndyIan]

Going to the dealer is a good idea on a known problem vehicle, or one with extremely expensive engine or transmission. I have done the CVT fluid changes on my Subaru at the dealer, as its potentially an issue and they've extended the warranty on it, but after a while I got tired of the $110 oil changes on a pretty reliable engine... And the overselling of brake replacements, so I'm self insuring the engine, saving $80 an oil change and using better oil... Have near $1k in my pocket so far.
I expect the engine to go the distance, the CVT probably with a few fluid changes.
At the moment a low mile transmission is only $1000-1500, and a motor not much more, so on some vehicles, it doesn't really pay to to keep the dealer service department busy.