2019 Ram 1500 Starter Failure at 98k miles

[Blizzy1220]

Just posting to vent about my lousy experience with Ram customer service.

About a week ago, my truck wouldn’t start when I went to leave work. After checking the battery, attempting to jump it , etc. I determined it was the starter. A few taps with a hammer later the truck was running. I called my local dealer to confirm that my CPO warranty would cover the replacement and was told that it should be covered.

Fast forward to today, I drop the truck off for my service appointment and about an hour later I get the call that it is the starter and it is not covered under warranty. So I called customer service to see if they would help.

After being transferred a few times, I got to a representative who told me that Ram would assist with the cost ($880) of replacement. They told me to have the dealer put in a “Cost Assistance Claim” with Stellantis.

The dealer puts in for the claim and it gets rejected with a message saying that the vehicle is not eligible. I then reach back out to customer service, get the same rep who after 2 holds and a discussion with his supervisor determines that the vehicle is not eligible. He is not able to tell me the parameters.

Anyway, all this to say, I don’t think I’ll be purchasing another FCA/Stellantis/whatever company buys them next vehicle again.

Thanks for listening to my rant. All the best. So pissed I’m dumping so much money on a repair I could have completed myself in my driveway for around $200.

 

[06 Dodge]

My self I would have made the dealer make sure of the “Cost Assistance Claim” was approved before any work was started, btw how long of a FCA Certified Pre-Owned warranty did you receive when you bought the truck 6/80 or 7/100?

 

[Burla]

You don't think 98k on a starter is a reasonable lifespan, especially in a snow state?

In a car with auto start stop as well?

I promise you lifespans on starters will be going down magnitudes with modern cars, even though they are beefing them up.

 

[Wild one]

You don't think 98k on a starter is a reasonable lifespan, especially in a snow state?

In a car with auto start stop as well?

I promise you lifespans on starters will be going down magnitudes with modern cars, even though they are beefing them up.

The younger generation is spoiled Mike,we used to have to change starters every couple years when we were kids,
Hell by 98,000 most vehicles were wore out when we were kids

 

[Burla]

yeah water pumps all day long in those muscle cars. They always wanted to cores too, lol.

 

[jws123]

What I wanna know is what the hell kind of starter does a 5th gen have that its $880 lol? Just did one months back in my 2014 for $130 I dont work on 5th gens yet so i must be missing something? but as mentioned above nearly 100k on a starter is on par.

 

[mikeru]

You don't think 98k on a starter is a reasonable lifespan, especially in a snow state?

In a car with auto start stop as well?

I promise you lifespans on starters will be going down magnitudes with modern cars, even though they are beefing them up.

On etorque equipped trucks the main starter isn't used for stop/start restart. It uses the motor/generator for that, so the main starter isn't worked any harder than it is on a non-stop/start equipped truck. That doesn't apply to Hurricane equipped 1500's (2025+). Also, the OP didn't indicate that he has stop/start on his truck (etorque).

 

[mtofell]

The younger generation is spoiled Mike,we used to have to change starters every couple years when we were kids,
Hell by 98,000 most vehicles were wore out when we were kids

Yeah, it often makes me wonder, in a world where everything is made cheaper, how starters, alternators, water pumps, etc. last so long? I remember same as you..... starters lasted a couple years at best. Alternators? Pretty much the same. Every other oil change I was messing with something.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

What I wanna know is what the hell kind of starter does a 5th gen have that its $880 lol? Just did one months back in my 2014 for $130 I dont work on 5th gens yet so i must be missing something? but as mentioned above nearly 100k on a starter is on par.

Noticed during my oil change last weekend on my 5th Gen 1500 DT 5.7L w/o eTorque, that the starter is on the back side of the engine on the upper corner of the trans/flywheel and it looks like the transmission may need dropped and the 4x4 transfer case is also in the way.
... I've changed starters and alternators out on older vehicles (pre 2008) and more than once in an Advance Auto parts parking lot while out of town. Glad I have the Mopar factory 7/125k extended warranty but hope i never need it and have to worry about it being honored. These newer trucks are becoming more difficult to do basic work on.

They put the oil filter mount in a crap location too (I put a PacBrake relocate kit on it).

 

[Blizzy1220]

Just chiming in to mention that it isn’t an e-torque so no stop start. Last starter I had fail was at 160k miles on an 11 year old Nissan. Lived in snow states my whole life.
For what it’s worth, my complaint isn’t about the starter failure itself, it’s about customer support and dealer support giving me bad information which cost me hundreds and wasted a lot of my time.

Dealer part cost for the starter was $573 dollars. Seems crazy expensive to me for a starter.

 

[Mojo88]

......Dealer part cost for the starter was $573 dollars. Seems crazy expensive to me for a starter.

Heck, I'd expect a price like that, or worse, at a dealer. We all know dealer prices are usually outrageous. As you say, you coulda done it yourself for ~$200.

I think you're being a little too hard on FCA, it sounds like they tried. As @06 Dodge already mentioned, you should have confirmed the “Cost Assistance Claim” prior to the work, if you were that concerned.

Anyway, I think you made out OK. JMHO of course. I have a 2019 Longhorn and just love it. Good luck with yours!

 

[KeithP]

You don't think 98k on a starter is a reasonable lifespan, especially in a snow state?

In a car with auto start stop as well?

I promise you lifespans on starters will be going down magnitudes with modern cars, even though they are beefing them up.

2019’s did not have auto stop/start unless it is has eTorque which was optional in 2019 and even then, the starter is not responsible for the stop/start. The Motor/Generator which is integral and unique to the eTorque system handles the stop/start by spinning the engine via the serpentine belt. The actual starter is only used for the initial start up.

Still, to your point. I would not be upset over a failed starter after 98k.

 

[Tank Guy]

I would’ve taken that starter off and had a look at it. When the starter on my 98 with a Cummins died on me the problem ended up being a pair of copper contacts that had burned through. The parts were fifty cents each and it took about an hour of labor to finish the job. That was about fifteen years ago. That same starter has been on my engine for twenty seven years

 

[crazy jerry]

in those 98k miles were you starting the engine 2 times a day or 20 times ?
and yes, it may of been just a small simple component of the starter that failed not the entire unit. a examination would of revealed what happened and how to proceed. if it uses a solenoid , perhaps it just needed a new one

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

I hav

I would’ve taken that starter off and had a look at it.

I have a shop around me that rebuilds starters/alternators, especially starters that sometimes require shims (I know the old school in me) that way the OEM unit goes right back in, and no shims required, to me nothing wrong with the OEM rebuild one's luck of the draw.

 

[BuschLatte420]

Was this a mopar maxcare warranty that was denied?

 

[EdGs]

Damn, I feel blessed. A month or so back, my starter gave me a single click. Original to the truck, I gave it a couple raps and was on my way.

Bought a replacement from RockAuto and have been procrastinating on installing it ever since. So far, so good, but I've probably just jinxed myself.....lol.

2015 QC SLT 5.7 2WD 8SPD 3.21

199,880 miles

 

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Just posting to vent about my lousy experience with Ram customer service.

About a week ago, my truck wouldn’t start when I went to leave work. After checking the battery, attempting to jump it , etc. I determined it was the starter. A few taps with a hammer later the truck was running. I called my local dealer to confirm that my CPO warranty would cover the replacement and was told that it should be covered.

Fast forward to today, I drop the truck off for my service appointment and about an hour later I get the call that it is the starter and it is not covered under warranty. So I called customer service to see if they would help.

After being transferred a few times, I got to a representative who told me that Ram would assist with the cost ($880) of replacement. They told me to have the dealer put in a “Cost Assistance Claim” with Stellantis.

The dealer puts in for the claim and it gets rejected with a message saying that the vehicle is not eligible. I then reach back out to customer service, get the same rep who after 2 holds and a discussion with his supervisor determines that the vehicle is not eligible. He is not able to tell me the parameters.

Anyway, all this to say, I don’t think I’ll be purchasing another FCA/Stellantis/whatever company buys them next vehicle again.

Thanks for listening to my rant. All the best. So pissed I’m dumping so much money on a repair I could have completed myself in my driveway for around $200.

Did you read the paperwork on your CPO warranty? Does it state the starter motor is covered?

If so, file a complaint with the BBB.

I had a similar situation with my Ford Expediton where the dealer denied coverage for replacing a power door lock actuator on one side of the vehicle, while replacing (and covering) the other side actuator (on the same visit). The power door lock system was specifically covered and stated in my Ford Premium Care service contract.

Once I filed a complaint against Ford with the BBB, I was contacted within two days and then received a refund (minus my deductible) within two weeks.

 

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

The younger generation is spoiled Mike,we used to have to change starters every couple years when we were kids,
Hell by 98,000 most vehicles were wore out when we were kids

Remember often replacing alternators, water pumps, fuel pumps, starters, etc.? Buying rebuilt replacements to save money? Spark plugs, points, condenser and cap every 10 - 12 thousand miles?

When I was young, my father would travel on vacation with us, carrying spare heater hoses, radiator hoses, fan belts, and a tuneup kit with tools for repairs on the road.

 

[Wild one]

Remember often replacing alternators, water pumps, fuel pumps, starters, etc.? Buying rebuilt replacements to save money? Spark plugs, points, condenser and cap every 10 - 12 thousand miles?

When I was young, my father would travel on vacation with us, carrying spare heater hoses, radiator hoses, fan belts, and a tuneup kit with tools for repairs on the road.

Back then you could usually repair most issues on the side of the road with a set of simple hand tools