Dealer Service Issue

[4xeRubicon]

So, after 12,000 issue-free miles, the oil life alert came on recently. I have a long trip coming up later this month, so I thought I should take it in to the dealer, not wanting to risk a JiffyLube type place doing something weird to my 4xe.

When I showed up yesterday morning, they said they also needed to do a bunch of software updates, so it was going to take about 3 hours. This was not ideal, but I set up and worked from the waiting room.

Three hours later, they came in and told me that one of the SW updates went wrong and it bricked the Jeep. They gave me a minivan loaner and I went to work. At the end of the day, they said that Chrysler told them that the sw update had ruined the big battery, and they would need to get a new one. This doesn’t seem terribly logical, but what can I do.

Today they swapped me into a Cherokee, so at least I can drive a somewhat similar vehicle. They had no update at noon when I switched loaners, and have not contacted me as of now, which is pretty much end of day, so things are not looking good.

I thought going to the dealer was the safer option, but I see now that I should have gone with any other option.

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[AcesandEights]

That's why right after I got my Jeep I rebooted it, formatted the hard drive and installed DOS.

 

[fcsallan]

That's why right after I got my Jeep I rebooted it, formatted the hard drive and installed DOS.

Now, if you said Linux, I would have been right there with you. We all know if anything is going to crash it's going to be a Microsoft product.

As for the OP. Steve, I wish I could say it is a surprise, but since the Stelantis buy, FCA has been a total ChitShow. I know three SRT mechanics that have quit and FCA is struggling to stay up on the tech. Too bad really. We are in the age of high tech ICE conversions to EV's. We need smart people with experience on both sides to ensure this goes well.

I hope they get it done for you and there are no other issues.

 

[Nitehawk92]

That's why right after I got my Jeep I rebooted it, formatted the hard drive and installed DOS.

Run Linux...

 

[mwilk012]

You went 12,000 miles without an oil change?

 

[David S]

I am a shop foreman at a Ford dealer and this has happened on Fords also. Its a bad deal, A lot of software updates issued now a days that cause more problems, But some are recalls that we have to do. It will mostly happen when the 12 Volt battery state of charge drops during the re programming if the tech doesnt have a battery charger on while programming. I don't want to talk for the tech or the dealer, But this happens for other manufactures as well.

 

[JABCAT]

Few things I see wrong with this, unfortunately.
1. software updates “bricked” the vehicle
2. The dealership/technician was not properly trained or equipped to handle it
3. If it just needs a new battery, that the dealership could not procure one & replace it in a timely manner.

Lesson learned - find a new dealership for service, and/or perform regular maintenance yourself.

 

[TheBirdie72]

This thread kills me. So if you take your vehicle in for service, and they brick your vehicle’s computer while performing an update… What recourse does the customer have? It’s not like they would be like, “Oh sorry, we broke your vehicle. Here’s a new one!” I mean, what happens next?? ?‍ Are they able to fix it? For free to the customer?? ?

 

[mwilk012]

This thread kills me. So if you take your vehicle in for service, and they brick your vehicle’s computer while performing an update… What recourse does the customer have? It’s not like they would be like, “Oh sorry, we broke your vehicle. Here’s a new one!” I mean, what happens next?? ?‍ Are they able to fix it? For free to the customer?? ?

Of course the dealership has to fix it for free to the customer, it's under warranty. After warranty...I wouldn't let them do software updates. It could go either way.

 

[Packnbeer]

it is the 4Xe, I can only imagine that 'big' battery is not a fast, easy swap. I would also imagine they dont have those just laying around right now since the 4Xe has only been out a year now. I would talk with them every day and get updates but just like 'never complain to the guy making your food'... 'never complain to the guys that has your Jeep in pieces'. Be nice and you will get further faster. Keep us posted

 

[4xeRubicon]

You went 12,000 miles without an oil change?

Yes. Mostly electric miles. The vehicle tells you when you need an oil change, and that was at 12k.

 

[AcesandEights]

Run Linux...

It's funny because as soon as I posted it, I thought to myself...would have been better as Linux, but I figured no one would even take notice, haha.

 

[JABCAT]

Yes. Mostly electric miles. The vehicle tells you when you need an oil change, and that was at 12k.

You should probably read your owners manual,

“
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), 12 months or 350 hours of engine run time, whichever comes first.”

 

[YippieKiYayMrFalcon]

Good luck, OP. I hope they’re able to get it sorted out quickly for you.

I’m assuming it was a tech that didn’t know what he was doing, and didn’t follow installation procedures properly that caused it.

 

[4xeRubicon]

You should probably read your owners manual,

“
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), 12 months or 350 hours of engine run time, whichever comes first.”

That’s great, but when I got an oil change wasn’t the problem. Where I got it, and the unrelated things they did was the problem.

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