Maxcare warranty and dealer....problems

turkeybird56 said:

Had an 86 Yamaha 650 Maxim. But that was built during the 55 mph BS, and was OK with one up, neva 2 up. But I liked the shaft drive.View attachment 501180

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Cool....mine was a 85. Complete with my classic Gargoyle sunglasses

turkeybird56 said:

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Dealers like this one are why people hate going to to a dealership.
Their proclamations are complete BS. Never go there again.
I stopped going to my local CDJR dealer for maintenance when the whole crew suddenly changed-new manager, advisors, etc. I have the MaxCare lifetime warranty. During a routine oil & filter change they came out to tell me my "upper rear strut MOUNT was leaking". I needed two "struts" in the rear for $692. I told them I had a MaxCare lifetime warranty and gave them my card. Advisor takes my card into the managers office, comes back out and says they can't do the job anyway because the "struts" are not in stock. The next day I called the parts department and was told the rear hydraulic units (truck doesn't have rear struts) were available in one day. They only wanted to do the job if they could overcharge me for a "repair" that would have been covered. The punchline to this story is I took the truck to a friend who has a lift. Raised the truck and guess what? No leaks from the "upper rear strut MOUNT" (how does a mount leak?), no leaks from the rear hydraulic units, no leaks anywhere. Total fraud on the part of this "dealer" who employs criminals. Flemington CDJR-Let the buyer beware.
BTW, even though the manual says the fluid in the transmission is lifetime, the manufacturer who licenses the transmission to FCA/Stellantis, ZF, indicates the 8HP70 transmission requires a fluid change every 60K miles. Just make sure you use the proper fluid and replace the transmission pan which incorporates the filter.

Yeah, I know what ZF says about 60k fluid changes....and the tech threw that at me during his argument on day 1. But guess what: the service contract pertains to FCA only....not ZF. And FCA cannot lean on the ZF recommendations, period, per the contract language and owners manual (neither gives the flexibility to lean on 3rd party recommendations).

Anyway, I'm back home again....sat at the dealer for 3 hours because the new sensor should have fixed the suspension system. It's now throwing no codes.......but when they try to calibrate it, it stops at the last minute and doesn't finish. Service manager says they suspect a short somewhere, so they are troubleshooting the harness. Oh boy........this opens up a whole new avenue of problems they could charge for (ie rat chewed a wire, etc.....BS excuses). We'll see. I want to say "just give me my truck back", but I've got a big trip planned next week and will be hauling my camper trailer 2k+ miles, and don't want a problem with the suspension. I suspect it will be ok, but I'll let the dealer tinker a little longer before I say "enough".

miketx said:

Yes, I definitely plan to use a different dealer the next time I have a warranty service. I'm just surprised the service "tech" is arguing that my 4x4 has never been serviced.....even sent me pictures. Says it's too clean, the plugs have never been removed and that the transfer case plug welds have never been broken. What welds?......plugs came out fine, and shame on me for doing a good job cleaning up (and it's been 2 years since I did it). It's amazing...I feel like I'm living in bizarro world. If the tech took 5 secs to try to loosen the plugs, he'd realize they've been out before. When I told the tech (via text) that he was wrong, he said "you are calling us liars".....whoa. No...you are calling me a liar. (I didn't reply with that, but wanted to).

I had an extended warranty on my wife's 04 Ford Thunderbird for years (and it needed it), but the dealers never pushed me into a corner like this. They just did the warranty work....even had inspectors come out, but never questioned my servicing, or forced me to have extra services done....it was always "recommended, but not required" stuff.

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Arnt they supposed to remove the fill plug atleast during the PDI to check fluid levels? They should have been the first to crack it open. Wonder why they didn’t check the fluid they signed off on probably if the ‘welds’ were not ‘broken’ lol

BuschLatte420 said:

Arnt they supposed to remove the fill plug atleast during the PDI to check fluid levels? They should have been the first to crack it open. Wonder why they didn’t check the fluid they signed off on probably if the ‘welds’ were not ‘broken’ lol

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who knows. I'm not focusing on that part anymore. I just want my suspension fixed and I'm done.

CAGEYAR said:

Dealers like this one are why people hate going to to a dealership.
Their proclamations are complete BS. Never go there again.
I stopped going to my local CDJR dealer for maintenance when the whole crew suddenly changed-new manager, advisors, etc. I have the MaxCare lifetime warranty. During a routine oil & filter change they came out to tell me my "upper rear strut MOUNT was leaking". I needed two "struts" in the rear for $692. I told them I had a MaxCare lifetime warranty and gave them my card. Advisor takes my card into the managers office, comes back out and says they can't do the job anyway because the "struts" are not in stock. The next day I called the parts department and was told the rear hydraulic units (truck doesn't have rear struts) were available in one day. They only wanted to do the job if they could overcharge me for a "repair" that would have been covered. The punchline to this story is I took the truck to a friend who has a lift. Raised the truck and guess what? No leaks from the "upper rear strut MOUNT" (how does a mount leak?), no leaks from the rear hydraulic units, no leaks anywhere. Total fraud on the part of this "dealer" who employs criminals. Flemington CDJR-Let the buyer beware.
BTW, even though the manual says the fluid in the transmission is lifetime, the manufacturer who licenses the transmission to FCA/Stellantis, ZF, indicates the 8HP70 transmission requires a fluid change every 60K miles. Just make sure you use the proper fluid and replace the transmission pan which incorporates the filter.

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Things like ^^^^this^^^^ are definately why some are referred to as "stealerships". I took my Ram to a local "stealer" to have recalls done, when I returned to get my truck, the SA shows me this:



He tells me that I need an alignment. I said "If my alignment is so bad, how come I've put 15k miles on, my tire wear is flat and even, and I have no pull? He stammered and said "You're not the first one to say this. Maybe our machine is off." To this day, I have never had my truck aligned, and it still tracks straight, and my current Cooper AT "E" LT tires have 60k miles on them, with some life left.

Imagine that.

EdGs said:

Things like ^^^^this^^^^ are definately why some are referred to as "stealerships". I took my Ram to a local "stealer" to have recalls done, when I returned to get my truck, the SA shows me this:

View attachment 501193

He tells me that I need an alignment. I said "If my alignment is so bad, how come I've put 15k miles on, my tire wear is flat and even, and I have no pull? He stammered and said "You're not the first one to say this. Maybe our machine is off." To this day, I have never had my truck aligned, and it still tracks straight, and my current Cooper AT "E" LT tires have 60k miles on them, with some life left.

Imagine that.

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A Toyota dealership tried to pull that BS on my daughter on her 6 month old Rav 4, I'm glad she's a smart kid an did not fall for it, she told them they are full of it but if its off fix it under Warranty, based on what she was told the alinement stuff is based on some sort of computer cameras/laser set up when they drive your vehicle into the service area, the service writer told her the same BS as they told you that your not the first one to tell us the machine is wrong it can be affected by speed & angel of the vehicle is coming into the shop, glad I was not there as I would of been banned for the place or in jail...

06 Dodge said:

A Toyota dealership tried to pull that BS on my daughter on her 6 month old Rav 4, I'm glad she's a smart kid an did not fall for it, she told them they are full of it but if its off fix it under Warranty, based on what she was told the alinement stuff is based on some sort of computer cameras/laser set up when they drive your vehicle into the service area, the service writer told her the same BS as they told you that your not the first one to tell us the machine is wrong it can be affected by speed & angel of the vehicle is coming into the shop, glad I was not there as I would of been banned for the place or in jail...

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I was really more pissed that they did 'other' stuff that I did not ask for, when I brought it for strictly recall items.

This "stealership" had only been open about 2 months when this happened. Probably, a good percentage of people get suckered too, and they probably dont even do any service, just like they did to the OP of this thread.

I have not allowed the dealerships to even rotate my tires since around 2011

The last time they did it, they knocked of several glued on weights & could not rebalance it

Then i went to Discount Tire, they found the problem

It is strange when the Dealership & Discount Tire, both use the
Hunter Road Force Balance Machine

actually the dealership will not send their Techs to any Hunter's Classes

EdGs said:

Things like ^^^^this^^^^ are definately why some are referred to as "stealerships". I took my Ram to a local "stealer" to have recalls done, when I returned to get my truck, the SA shows me this:

View attachment 501193

He tells me that I need an alignment. I said "If my alignment is so bad, how come I've put 15k miles on, my tire wear is flat and even, and I have no pull? He stammered and said "You're not the first one to say this. Maybe our machine is off." To this day, I have never had my truck aligned, and it still tracks straight, and my current Cooper AT "E" LT tires have 60k miles on them, with some life left.

Imagine that.

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Yeah, thankfully they didn't talk to me about alignment. Mine has tracked straight as an arrow from day 1. My current Cooper AT3 XLT e rated tires have ~40k miles and have perfectly even wear all around, and I can let go of the steering wheel and it tracks straight. The first tech did say "customer has done tire rotations". Yeah, you are a f****** genius.

Update: Got the truck back!!! The suspension error ended up being a broken wire in the harness near/above the fuel tank. The "electrical" tech said the other techs should have caught it when one of the codes said "short". Well, I got a new left rear sensor in the process. Anyway, we'll see how it does over the next few days. I'll also spend a few days figuring out how I want to word my review for the dealership. But at least I have it back for now.

miketx said:

Has anyone has problems with the dealer service and Maxcare lifetime warranty?

I brought my '16 Rebel, with 83k miles on it, in for the air suspension service message. After doing the dealer did their multi-point inspection, they are saying I need to get a whole extra list of services done or the Maxcare inspection will void my warranty. They claim my brake fluid is dirty (it's not), my transmission needs service (it doesn't), I need a "tune up", and that my 4x4 needs to be serviced, plus 4-5 other services.

I am a very good mechanic and take pride in my vehicle care, which includes ALL required services. I serviced the 4x4 system myself at 53k miles, but the service tech is arguing that no fluid is staining the plugs, and that the plugs show no evidence they have ever been touched......plus he says my transfer case plug welds haven't been cracked (what?...I took those plugs out myself). I'm totally baffled......I did the service myself, and have the fluid receipts.

I also record all my maintenance on mopar.com in My Garage......but they say the dealer and Maxcare only look at Carfax reports. What?!?

I feel like I am being blackmailed. The dealer said they will report all their findings to Maxcare.....and that Maxcare has been voiding customer warranties right and left this year. Huh?

So disappointed in Ram/FCA right now. I only bought this warranty to cover big items, like the air suspension. Everything else I do myself.

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Someone is telling you a lie! Trans is at 120,00 miles and so are the two axels, and tranfer case. The plugs were at 100,000 miles and the PCV as well. Read the extended warranty it spells it out as well as the larger owners manual. I have 112,000 miles and I am on target for it all. It's not the Max care it's the dealer telling you a lie.

Just an FYI, IF it does come down to your word his word for tranny service, request a sample be drawn in front of you and set for testing....... Test results will tell the story.... Also if he did the plugs, then request one be removed and inspected in front of you......
If they give you BS about insurance and can't let you in the bay tell them fine then set up CCTV.
If either of those come back as I expect they will...i.e. not done. I would demand the tech be fired or your reporting the dealer to the state for consumer fraud...

Don't let that tech survive to do this to a less knowledgeable customer in the future. PS if he is a state certified inspector get his inspectors ID and report his ass to the state DMV as well so that he can't do this some where else....

I understand he could get a job at another dealer, but explaining why he is no longer certified inspector and can't get certified will be a tough line to feed to the next dealer / shop that looks at hiring him.

miketx said:

Update: Got the truck back!!! The suspension error ended up being a broken wire in the harness near/above the fuel tank. The "electrical" tech said the other techs should have caught it when one of the codes said "short". Well, I got a new left rear sensor in the process. Anyway, we'll see how it does over the next few days. I'll also spend a few days figuring out how I want to word my review for the dealership. But at least I have it back for now.

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Are you sure you got a new sensor? Make sure it is not one of those with the 'patina' on it....lol.

Sorry, just the way my brain works...

TomB 1269 said:

Just an FYI, IF it does come down to your word his word for tranny service, request a sample be drawn in front of you and set for testing....... Test results will tell the story.... Also if he did the plugs, then request one be removed and inspected in front of you......
If they give you BS about insurance and can't let you in the bay tell them fine then set up CCTV.
If either of those come back as I expect they will...i.e. not done. I would demand the tech be fired or your reporting the dealer to the state for consumer fraud...

Don't let that tech survive to do this to a less knowledgeable customer in the future. PS if he is a state certified inspector get his inspectors ID and report his ass to the state DMV as well so that he can't do this some where else....

I understand he could get a job at another dealer, but explaining why he is no longer certified inspector and can't get certified will be a tough line to feed to the next dealer / shop that looks at hiring him.

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The way I look at it, at this point, is that I have "on record" that a tranny service has been done at the dealer. If the transmission ever has any problems, I've got a validated cover for warranty work.
The plug situation is over.....they admitted it was never done.
"Supposedly" the tech was reprimanded multiple times.
I'm done fighting...I have my truck back, and I won't be going back to that dealer. If I wanted to fight any further, I'd have to get another dealer shop or certified shop to do the checks, agree to back the results (in writing), hire a lawyer, etc. I'll just find a way to leave negative reviews, which is my right.

EdGs said:

Are you sure you got a new sensor? Make sure it is not one of those with the 'patina' on it....lol.

Sorry, just the way my brain works...

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Kinda like my reply on the tranny service.....I have validated (invoice) proof that a sensor was changed, as well as a wiring harness was fixed. Any related problems in the future are still on FCA. For now, everything seems to work ok. We'll see.

farout75 said:

Someone is telling you a lie! Trans is at 120,00 miles and so are the two axels, and tranfer case. The plugs were at 100,000 miles and the PCV as well. Read the extended warranty it spells it out as well as the larger owners manual. I have 112,000 miles and I am on target for it all. It's not the Max care it's the dealer telling you a lie.

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Actually, in my '16 owner's manual for 1500 series, the 8 spd trans has no change interval. Only the 6 spd in 2500/3500 has a "required" change interval. The axle diffs also have no change interval, just inspect and change if necessary, unless severe service. Yes, the transfer case has a "replace" (120k miles). PCV is just a "check and replace if needed". Coolant is "replace" 10 years or 150k miles. I've got the owners manual and my service contract memorized. Part of my career was drafting/analyzing contracts. Different years may have different language.

Having said all that.......there is a clause in the service contract about faults due to "dirty fluids". And because it is a generic statement, it applies to all fluids in the vehicle.....brake, axle, engine oil, antifreeze, transmission, etc. So if something breaks and it is determined you had "dirty fluids", your contract is toast. It's a sneaky little statement that gives FCA/dealer alot of leeway to push for fluid changes, or to request your receipts in case of warranty work. FCA counts on the fact most owners won't fight, because to fight, you'd have to get your fluid analyzed by a professional and hire a lawyer/go into arbitration. Lots of work.

Same for fluid types.....most language in the owner's manual says "we recommend", which is different than "we require". The only "required" fluid type is again the 6 spd tranny. That 6 spd must be a mess for "required" fluid and "required" change intervals....or they just assume a 2500/3500 truck is always going to be hard service.....which may be mostly correct.

I will say this, I also have a 2016. I just flushed and changed my brake fluid today, it was a bit orange, but worse was last year I had a front caliper seize. So I had newer fluid in the front calipers (I replaced both with new e coated calipers), but I wanted to do a complete (or as close as you can get) brake fluid change and finally got to it today.

My Maxcare would have covered the caliper but not the pads or rotor and since I could get 2 new e-coated calipers for not much more than the $100 deductible I did them my self.

I go overkill on most maintenance but am very poor at keeping records, so I do go to the dealer for the minimum - ie. 1 oil change a year, etc.

"Having said all that.......there is a clause in the service contract about faults due to "dirty fluids". And because it is a generic statement, it applies to all fluids in the vehicle.....brake, axle, engine oil, antifreeze, transmission, etc. So if something breaks and it is determined you had "dirty fluids", your contract is toast. It's a sneaky little statement that gives FCA/dealer alot of leeway to push for fluid changes, or to request your receipts in case of warranty work."

Even though the owner's manual indicates "lifetime" fluid for the transmission, based on the statement you found above, there's a case made to change the fluid based on the recommendations of the designer/licensee of the trans, ZF. Mopar has the fluid and trans pan/filter assembly in their inventory with their part numbers. I doubt changing the fluid at 60K miles per ZF using Mopar fluid and Mopar parts could impact the MaxCare contract negatively. FCA/Stellantis builds the trans under a ZF license. As long as you follow the ZF fluid change procedure, there is no conflict with the MaxCare contract IMO. Also, I did not let the "technicians" at the Ram dealer touch my trans. I went to a BMW trans specific specialist. The ZF 8HP70 trans is the same unit on 7 series BMWs.

CAGEYAR said:

"Having said all that.......there is a clause in the service contract about faults due to "dirty fluids". And because it is a generic statement, it applies to all fluids in the vehicle.....brake, axle, engine oil, antifreeze, transmission, etc. So if something breaks and it is determined you had "dirty fluids", your contract is toast. It's a sneaky little statement that gives FCA/dealer alot of leeway to push for fluid changes, or to request your receipts in case of warranty work."

Even though the owner's manual indicates "lifetime" fluid for the transmission, based on the statement you found above, there's a case made to change the fluid based on the recommendations of the designer/licensee of the trans, ZF. Mopar has the fluid and trans pan/filter assembly in their inventory with their part numbers. I doubt changing the fluid at 60K miles per ZF using Mopar fluid and Mopar parts could impact the MaxCare contract negatively. FCA/Stellantis builds the trans under a ZF license. As long as you follow the ZF fluid change procedure, there is no conflict with the MaxCare contract IMO. Also, I did not let the "technicians" at the Ram dealer touch my trans. I went to a BMW trans specific specialist. The ZF 8HP70 trans is the same unit on 7 series BMWs.

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You are correct. Same goes with all the fluids. Bottomline: if you have a problem with a specific item that takes fluid, at the time of warranty repair, the fluid better come out relatively clean, or your going to have to prove you changed it regularly. The rest of the service contract gives no hint to this.....it's just that one sentence.