Chargergsd

I just dropped off my 03 2500 HO at Lithia Dodge in Concord Ca to have the pinion factor changed, and apply TSB08-004-03 (check engine light flicker), TSB18-003-04 (a/c cycling at idle) and TSB19-008-03 (steering hose vibration).

Now, the pinion factor change I fully expect to pay some money, but the service writer tells me he has no way of knowing if Dodge will cover the other three TSB items. The truck is out of standard warranty (48k miles or so) but does that make sense? Arent these other three basically Dodge admitting they made a mistake and here is how to fix it? So, shouldnt those be covered even though the vehicle is out of warranty?

TAS05CTD610

It's my understanding that they have to fix it, because it poses a possible problem that could result in injury or death. I had an old v-10 and had to get new drums put on (and after doing it myself, this and that, there was something the dealer had to do to make it work) I went to pick it up and he said we did the two TSB's on it that haven't been previously performed (one for a hood latch and the other for a seat belt thing) But they do that because if something happens (hood flys off, or seat belt dosn't hold) they face a very serious law suit and they cannont say it's not there fault. They shouldn't charge you for the TSB's, that's to correct something that's an issue. The Pinion factor they most likely will charge you for, but the others, you shouldn't have to pay.

CRXsi

First off dealers do not have to cover TSB's. They are NOT recalls but instead 'technical service bulletins' to aid techs in fixing common problems. If you just say to do TSB's the dealer could charge you, if you instead complain that you truck is doing *insert reason for TSB here* then they have to cover it based on the normal conditions of warranty of the TSB. All TSB's will also list what the warranty coverage is for that TSB. Some are only covered under the basic bumper to bumper (3yrs/36k) and others are covered under major component (7yrs/70k). There is usually also a sub clause on the bulletin that repairs for preventive maintenance will be denied. This means that if you aren't experiencing or complaining of the symptoms and just asking to have them done because...the dealer can charge you.

Good dealers will do them with little hastle as long as warranty still covers it.

If the bulletin states that normal 3yr/36k coverage only then you will likely pay. Likewise they are in their right to charge you if you did not complain that the truck was doing these things and was still under warranty (although that would be rude and bad business in my opinion). Always play it safe and say, "My truck is doing *insert reason for TSB here* and I think there may be a TSB to resolve this issue." Usually you will get the question, "you are experiencing this problem right?" Just say yes.

You may be able to phone Chysler/Dodge Customer Relations and see if they will put it under warranty if the dealer doesn't.

Chargergsd

Thanks for the comments. I definitely stated that the truck was doing XXX and YYY and that I understood there was a TSB that stated how to go about fixing it. It does too, its not like I'm having them done for the fun of it.

Now, the TSBs say "reimburseable within the provisions of the warranty". What does that mean?

CRXsi

That part means that if the parts are only covered under 3yr/36 then after that it is customer pay, if it is under 7/70 then it will be covered until then, after that again cust pay. You just need to determine what warranty is on the part that is failed and that is what the warranty coverage on the TSB is good for. After that it is the cust cost to have them done.

Chargergsd

So since two of them are PCM reflashes, I would assume those are covered by the 7/70. The other is power steering, which I would assume is not covered by 7/70. Does that sound right?

CRXsi

Sounds right but I am not 100% sure of coverages for our Dodges.

Hounddog

The HOOD latch and SEAT belt repairs were RECALLS!!! Not TSB's.Tsb's are only covered the length of the warranty.A PCM FLASH is NOT part of POWERTRAIN! The dealer(service manager)CAN auth.out of warranty repairs due to KNOWN problems.Such as PCM flash,powersteering hose etc.IF he chooses.It also shows that said vehicle has NOT been into a dealer for any type of work etc.or maintance. Those are OLD Tsb's been out since 03!

John Branom

Where would you find a listing of recalls and TSB?

Hounddog

Geno's garage has a listing.On MOST reflash TSB's the dealer I worked at we charged a .5 each.On one like that P/steering hose it could be a little exspensive.Hose I bet is $150 and labor I bet is .8 or so.ask for customer assistance through the service manager or call d.C. and ask.1-800-992-1997.recalls YOU are notified by mail and dealers are required to run vin number on every vehicle coming in for service to check for open recalls and perform them.Tsb's are NOT handled that way.Only IF a customer complains and tech trying to repair finds a TSB that addresses that problem and if out of warranty a est.is given etc.

Jeff in TD

TSB Index page

CRXsi

Thanks for the clarification on Warranty coverages for the TSB's Hounddog, wasn't sure what the PCM flashes would be covered for..depends on the Car manufacturer. Acura's they are major component, I guess Dodges they aren't

Like you also said however...the bulletins have been out for a while and it is wise to deal with them while the vehicle is for sure still in warranty, or be willing to pay to have them done

Hounddog

Well a PCM flash COULD be a recall if its affecting fuel economy and 7/70 if it affects trans shifting but then theres a deductable which paying for the download is CHEAPER as a rule then a $100 deductable.I handled Nissan,Mazda,G..M. and D.C. products.They were ALL the same in reguards to warranty,tsb's,recalls etc.Just amount of time items were covered were differant.The D.C. and G.M.were the MOST EASY to get items out of warranty covered.Isuzu and Mazda were NOT.Nissan had its moments.Sales and economy govern how much they'll cover out of warranty repairs.Their INTERNAL health so to speak.But as a RULE the Japs aren't as quick to buy such items.

Chargergsd

Houndog, explain exactly how you reason the vehicle has not been into a dealer for any type of maintenance? You said yourself TSBs are only applied IF the customer complains...right? As it happens to be, this vehicle has been into this dealership twice. Both times it was for them to look at what I thought was a problem not oil changes, etc.

As it turns out, this is yet another great example of why the old big three are getting their butts handed to them: the dealerships stink and people get tired of having to deal with them.

The service writer told me they refused to accept the vehicle unless I agreed to a $175 estimate. He said of course they'd check with Dodge and try to get these covered under warranty, but it wasnt likely, therefore the estimate. When I pick up the truck...surprise surprise, the charges are $172. Only its $10 for each TSB and the rest for the pinion factor. The explanation? "We like to charge you something for work that is covered by warranty so that we can apply a one year warranty to the work itself. If we didnt charge you for it, we couldn't warranty it" ***?

So apparently all three items covered by TSB were covered by Dodge, so a big thanks to Dodge. Then, Lithia Dodge decides that since they've already got me on the hook for $175 without approval, they can stick it to me and charge me $172 for adjusting the pinion factor. So, here's a big F U to Lithia Dodge and a well learned lesson to a) never agree to a service estimate of more than 1/2hr no matter what the guy says and b) never go to a Dodge dealer for maintenance unless its absolutely positively necessary.

RamWheelsBy4

I had TSB 18-037-04 done about a year ago under warranty when I complained about white smoke and overhead mileage calcustations. Forgot to tell them to "Enable" "Manual High Idle" option. Finally had the truck in for door seal TSB last week and ask the service writer to have the "Manual High Idle" option enabled since the previous TSB was done. He called me and said for optional TSBs that required ECM flash they normally charge $150. I said well I think the needed TSB was already done. He said ok will check. Called me back and said the TSB was already done and the tech had "Enabled" the "Manual High Idle" option last year when TSB was done. I just did not try to use it correctly. Been there all the time. The service writer also noticed "lamp out" light and had the rear brake light bulbs replaced to correct. Did not charge me for that. Some dealers are more customer freindly than others. I am happy with my dealer's service department and have been for almost 3 years now.