My local Dodge dealer repaired the brakes on my '03 Q/C 4x4. I left the truck for repair because the steering wheel vibrated after a deceleration from high speed - as described in TSB 05-008-03. The dealership charged $300! The service manager acknowledged the TSB existed and stated that a TSB is a Dodge information guide only and has nothing to do with warranty work. In short, that ". . .regardless of the TSB, the cost is mine". The truck has less than 36,000 miles and is of course less than 3 years old. I had the impression, maybe incorrect, that a TSB identified a known vehicle problem and that repairs would be covered by the warranty. Who is right? The dealer is a five-star dealer and I'll go back to recover my cost if the service manager is wrong. Any help out there?

 

Unfortunatley, the service manager is correct. Just because a specific problem has a TSB about it, does not mean it's covered under any warranty. I work at a Dodge dealer and we refer to TSBs on a daily basis reguardless if the car has 100,000 miles or 5,000 miles, they are a way to help our technicians correct the problem right the first time. Unfortunatley, brakes are considered general maintenance, and only covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

 

$300.00 for a brake job...seems a bit expensive...

 

First, thank you for your replies. Second, given that the service manager is correct its a good thing that I did not pitch a fit when I learned that I was paying for the repairs - there is something to be said for growing older and a little more patient. Finally, too much for a brake repair? I don't know but here's the breakdown:
- 1.2 hours tech hours: $82.8
- 2 front rotors: $152.
- 1 pad kit: 49.20
- Service material: $4.14
- Tax: 10.06
Total, just short of $300.
Does this seem too high? I'm located in a distant, Virginia suburb of Washington D.C., its not the cheapest place to live (but its home).

 

So the service department said the needing rotors and pad before 36K is normal. I don't think I would let this go. Did you present the TSB to Service before the work had begun ?

 

I took my truck in for the same TSB and didn't have to pay a single dime. I took the TSB with me when I took it to the dealership, so I don't know if that had something to do with it. Why should you have to pay for a faulty problem under 3 years/36,000 miles. If I were you, I would go back to the dealership and get my money back. I was also under the impression that any TSB had to be warrantied regardless of mileage, but I could be wrong.

 

I had my rotors turned, new calipers, and new pads put on at 6000 miles, under the TSB. At 18000 miles, the rotors were again warped. The dealership at that time replaced the rotors. All under warranty. They told me the TSB is a covered repair within the 3 yr/36k warranty. However, once a dealer denies warranty coverage, it takes an act of God to get Dodge to counter the dealership.

 

All,
Again, thank you for taking time to reply. Hmmmm, recovering dollars for work denied as warranty requires an act of God; well, I'll ask the Lord for His will and then aproach the dealer/Dodge.

My sister is buying a 2005, top-of-the-line Lariat from the same dealer tomorrow. He sells Ford & Dodge. After I lift up the situation to God, I'll ask her to help with "leverage". God knows what we need before we ask.

Again, thank you.

Jim

 

The brakes (even though it is general maintenance) are generally covered for 12000 miles. The catch is if they worked on them within that period the might bear some responsibility at a later date. My daughter's truck was repaired at 7000 miles (pre TSB) and TSB'd for the same problem at 22000 miles. She is having the same problem at 30000 miles but has not been back to the dealer yet. I have 15000 miles on mine and have had no problems..... YET!!!. If I were you I would let it go. 36000 miles isn't that bad for a set of brakes and you shouldn't need calipers or rotors next time.