Well.. hopefully this is the final update. I have had the truck back for 2 days.
Recap:
About two months after purchasing the truck, I began noticing an occasional grinding noise when shifting from 1st to 2nd. I brought it to the dealership multiple times. Each time, they either couldn’t replicate the issue or told me it was normal operation.
At one point, they replaced a module to adjust the shifting, but the issue persisted.
Expecting it to worsen, I purchased an extended warranty. Last week, on my way to work, the transmission completely failed.
Final Update:
The transmission failed in the exact area where I had been hearing the grinding (between 1st and 2nd). I contacted the extended warranty company, and they sent out an inspector. After inspection, they agreed to cover 100% of the transmission but initially refused to cover the transmission cooler and lines, which were contaminated or damaged as a direct result of the failure.
This left me with a $3,500 repair bill. They suggested flushing those components, but that’s not how the repair is done. Per Dodge requirements, those parts must be replaced when installing a new transmission. Plus, they were severely damaged.
The refusal to cover damage caused by a covered component didn’t make sense. Their position was that they were only obligated to cover the transmission itself. I won’t go into the full back-and-forth, but the initial interaction was rough. That said, after continued escalation and staying focused on the facts, their tone shifted. In the end, they covered everything except a few hours of labor. Around $1,200.
Since I had reported this issue to Dodge multiple times while under warranty (and it was documented), I also contacted customer care. They confirmed they could see the service history and acknowledged that I had made multiple attempts to resolve the issue. Customer Care was incredibly nice and understanding.
They told me that after the third visit, I should have contacted them directly. They stated they may have issued an extended warranty at no cost due to the unresolved, recurring problem. In the end, while they couldn’t reimburse the labor I paid, they did provide a significant number of free oil changes and tire rotations. The value of those services exceeds my out-of-pocket cost.
Summary:
It was a major inconvenience, but financially it ended up being a wash. The transmission has been replaced and now carries a 100K mile warranty.
Lessons Learned:
If you have a recurring issue under warranty, escalate it to customer care early. They may step in before it becomes your problem.
Extended warranty companies will default to covering as little as possible. Read your contract carefully. If they deny something, ask for the exact language in writing that supports the denial.
Stay calm and methodical. Don’t argue… document, escalate, and outlast them.
Even if a dealership “can’t replicate” the issue, keep bringing the vehicle in. The paper trail matters.
Don’t blow up. Don’t roll over.