So, I am trying to get an OEM brake controller for my 2010. Hit up the dealer today, since I don't need it right away and heard it is on back order. Boy is it ever! Not that many, he was showing 43 on back order, but the next release from the suplier is 3!!!! So, he can't even give me an ETA. He called 8 dealers showing anywhere from 1 to 13 in stock and no one is willing to sell him one. Looks like I may be heading out on a roadtrip to see if cash changes anyones mind.

Tried e-bay... no luck.

Got a call in to Dodge Canada to see if they can come up with something or at least an ETA. I won't be missing camping season waiting for it but want to get the nice clean install. Damn....

 

My dealer parts guy told me all brake controllers can only be shipped for a vehicle that needs it for warranty service and not expect to see one for a while.

Hopefully they dont change to code in the controller itself to make sure they dont work on non-factory equipped 2010 trucks, I'm sure someone at Chrysler is wondering why so many dealers are ordering them.

 

Just got word back from Dodge Canada that they have no interest in helping me. That if I wanted a truck with a brake controller, I should have bought one with it. They are planning on only filling warranty claims for the time being and are not sending out orders by dealerships. This is BS. I have someone higher up supposed to call me back, we will see.

 

I think they are pissed cuz well some of us like to mod and we don't like to pay dealers to do it for us. I bet if you were willing to pay to have them install it you could get one.

 

Chrysler can care less if people put the controllers in by themselves, but if they cant get replacements for warranty trucks because people are buying them up they will stop selling them over the counter.

 

I am starting to wonder though why they figure they need to save them all for warranty? Is there an issue popping up with these that we just don't know about yet? Seems to me that you would just up production and keep selling. That is what businesses do, sell things.....easiest way to make money.

 

Nope, my dealer just plain can't get one. They hope to have an updated ETA for me in a couple days, once the order gets fully logged. He isn't sure a date will show though. Hell, I would probably pay them to do it..... if it would speed things up.

 

Chrysler doesnt really make anything on them unless they put it on the truck on the line, dealer makes a few bucks selling over the counter. If there was 10,000 of them in stock it wouldnt matter. They are made by an outside vendor.

Generally the vendor makes X amount of parts for projected truck use plus 20% or so to cover service replacements/failures. If they get a run on them and that depletes stock the owner of a new truck under warranty with a bad controller is not going to be very happy.

It may be months before the manufacture of the controller makes any more and they are just covering themselves.

And then again maybe Chrysler got word of dealers putting them in trucks and want to put a stop to it since its not an 'official' accessory and they dont want the liability if someone crashes their truck/trailer.

And maybe you will get in a week, who knows

 

I just called my parts department where I deal. You cannot buy a 2010 brake controller from the dealer, if it didn't come with one from the plant you cannot add one. Told him he was stoned and hung up, Crap now another dealer I have to find.

 

Hell, my dealer told me that Dodge didn't make a controller. I gave them the part number and they went, "Wow, who knew?" Well, now they do but until I checked they had no idea. Parts and sales are two different groups.

When I was talking to the Customer Service people for Dodge Canada, they told me it could not be added afterwards anyway, so I shouldn't bother.

I phoned a couple different dealers and got all sorts of answers. Ranging from Dodge doesn't make them, they only sell aftermarket ones to I never knew they made one. Not one of them knew a thing about the OEM controller. I gave them all the part number and most could find it, but all of them said the same thing. "It comes up when I punch the number in, but it's not a listed item.... wierd." So it looks like Dodge has pulled it from the listing, or never put it in.

I did track down a couple dealers who have them from one parts guy. He gave me a list. The nearest one is 5 hours away..... and they won't sell it to another dealer, so I am sure I would have to go there to get it. I am trying to get ahold of some people I know in two of the other cities to go in and see if they will sell over the counter. Both cities are over 12 hours away, so it's not an option to drive there and see. LOL Got my fingers crossed....