!!!!!!! Melting steering wheel!! Out of warranty claim DENIED!!

[Yo Nadz]

2013 Ram 1500 with heated steering wheel. 39400 miles and slightly out of warranty. Truck was puchased late January 2013, so about a month of the 3 years left.

Last week my steering wheel started to MELT in the 10 o'clock position. The heated steering wheel is malfunctioning and is too hot to touch in that location and the damage is getting worse. I went by the dealer and they agreed something is wrong and took pictures to submit to Chrysler for a "digital authorization" for repair. Chrysler DENIED the claim. Dealer said repair would cost around $650 out of pocket.

I'm going to appeal this because I feel that this is a HUGE safety issue and creates a big risk for fire. I understand I'm over on miles, but the dealer said they'll sometimes cover warranty issues of still in the time frame.

Anyone have experience with appeals? Anyone else had this happen to them? Looking for suggestions and guidance. Thanks!!

 

[draken]

Thats crazy.. I have heated steering wheel as well, hopefully that doesn't happen.. I wish you good luck though!

 

[CMil527]

wow thats crazy... any pics?

 

[Yo Nadz]

I need to get some. It looks like there's a coil wire heating element that's wrapped around the wheel and has melted through the leather.

 

[Hemi450hp]

I would take it to another dealership. Its usually the dealership's discretion as to whether they need to get approval or not. My local dealer will go out of their way to make sure parts are covered under warranty...especially something like this that is clearly not your fault and is a safety hazard.

 

[CMil527]

I would take it to another dealership. Its usually the dealership's discretion as to whether they need to get approval or not. My local dealer will go out of their way to make sure parts are covered under warranty...especially something like this that is clearly not your fault and is a safety hazard.

+1... i would keep visiting dealerships until someone gives you some help!

 

[BeachinIt]

Chrysler must be out of their mind to deny that. It's a monster liability for them and a huge safety issue for you.

 

[Limeybastard]

2013 Ram 1500 with heated steering wheel. 39400 miles and slightly out of warranty. Truck was puchased late January 2013, so about a month of the 3 years left.

Last week my steering wheel started to MELT in the 10 o'clock position. The heated steering wheel is malfunctioning and is too hot to touch in that location and the damage is getting worse. I went by the dealer and they agreed something is wrong and took pictures to submit to Chrysler for a "digital authorization" for repair. Chrysler DENIED the claim. Dealer said repair would cost around $650 out of pocket.

I'm going to appeal this because I feel that this is a HUGE safety issue and creates a big risk for fire. I understand I'm over on miles, but the dealer said they'll sometimes cover warranty issues of still in the time frame.

Anyone have experience with appeals? Anyone else had this happen to them? Looking for suggestions and guidance. Thanks!!

So in essence when they deny claims that are slightly over 36k miles they are basically saying that the part is only good for 3 years or 36k miles . In Europe warranty claims being slightly out of the duration period are still repaired as no manufacturer is going to admit that their product is only good or 12 months or whatever the warranty period states.

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[Sportram1500]

Bummer hope you get it resolved.

 

[develand]

If another dealership doesn't help, post a picture and a nice note on Chryslers FB page. FB Seems to be a strong tool to use in your favor.

 

[HemiPower36]

Bro, my heated steering wheel gets hawt as f*ck!! I only have it on for a few minutes then I turn it off. So, I hope my **** doesn't have the same issue.


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[bigfoot2219]

Yeah, this is a liability for them more than anything. Plus never hurts to help a good customer... And lastly if you went viral with a melting steering wheel pic on the web it would cost them way more than $650 if it only deterred one buyer from takin home a Ram.

 

[GoatLocker]

The heated steering wheel is malfunctioning and is too hot to touch in that location and the damage is getting worse. Thanks!!

Getting worse? Umm, don't turn it on. Unless you really want to cause more damage, providing better pictures with which to shame them online. Really, it's a bad idea to continue operating it.

Good luck with getting FCA to cover it under warranty. Hopefully they will step up...

 

[Hootbro]

So in essence when they deny claims that are slightly over 36k miles they are basically saying that the part is only good for 3 years or 36k miles . In Europe warranty claims being slightly out of the duration period are still repaired as no manufacturer is going to admit that their product is only good or 12 months or whatever the warranty period states.

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So you are basing your theory on one instance that parts only have a service life just outside the warranty?

 

[Limeybastard]

So you are basing your theory on one instance that parts only have a service life just outside the warranty?

I'm basing my theory on goodwill to humanity.

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[Saltillo Express]

That's a recall item. They covered mine under warranty. And the recall covers the item regardless of mileage. It had something to do with the wiring for cruise control getting hot and - melting the steering wheel.

 

[WadXpress]

If you can't get them to cover it hit up seatsandsuch for a new wheel. you would pay a third of the price for a 30 minute job

 

[atc06jh]

At least if something does happen, you've already been to the dealership so it has been noted in the system. I'd take lots of photos all around the truck, of the mileage, the inside, everything. That way if it decides to burn up one day while driving it or if it happens to catch fire sitting in the garage and burns the house down too, you should be covered. You can bust them out on denying the claim and let them try to scramble to cover it up by paying you off.

 

[Casper]

This is one of the things I worry about with all the electronics and accessories on new vehicles these days. A long powertrain warranty is great and all, but its all the 'fiddly bits' that can fail expensively. You pay of $40K for a truck and may need years to pay it down, but the fiddly bits can eat you out of house and home before the truck is paid for.

If you go out of pocket save your receipts because something like this is a recall just waiting to happen.

In the meantime go www.nhsta.gov and make a complaint. Enough snivels and 'ole uncle sugar will get off his flabby @$$ and start levying fines.

 

[BeachinIt]

Post the photos to Chrysler's Facebook page (here.) and their Twitter page (here.) along with the name of the dealership you visited that denied the claim. I bet you have an answer and resolution within 24 hours.