Being charged for software updates question

[AFD]

Jmo, but software updates, whether for the uConnect or the ECU should be covered up to the very last remaining warranty on the vehicle (regardless if it's corrosion, 8-year EV/eTorque, etc) and at a minimum for the length of the drivetrain warranty.

Blah, blah.. buy your own fucking tools and dealership, lol. Just anti-consumer nonsense. My last vehicle which cost half as much received free ECU updates up to a decade after date of purchase, which only had a 3-year bumper-to-bumper, 5-year drivetrain and 8-year emissions and corrosion warranty. I don't expect dealerships to eat any related time and expenses, but I absolutely believe it's something the manufacturers should calculate into the purchase.

At the very least, I would expect most extended warranties to cover stuff like this. Especially the Chrysler/Mopar ones.

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[LuvHydro]

Software updates not related to feature updates should be no charge for the life of the vehicle.

Why did they need to update the software?
A hardware or software design flaw?
Then no charge it should be.
The dealer should get paid, but by the manufacturer.

 

[AlgUSF]

I'm a software geek, ask for the "Changelog" so you know what you're paying for. $400 to plug in a computer and pull down updates is crazy. I guess you're paying for the tech to sit outside the garage and smoke a pack of cigs while it updates.

 

[Maverick909]

Software updates should be done free of charge at maintenance appointments when it’s taken in. and most new uconnects auto do software update.

 

[mwilk012]

I'm a software geek, ask for the "Changelog" so you know what you're paying for. $400 to plug in a computer and pull down updates is crazy. I guess you're paying for the tech to sit outside the garage and smoke a pack of cigs while it updates.

You should do your job for free too.

 

[Vinman]

Why are the updates needed? Does everything work as intended now? If so, why update anything?
My Jeeps a 2021 and everything operates as intended, It doesn’t need software from 2022.

 

[Chupacabra]

I had the software updated on my R1250R and the shop guy told me that it took 8 hours for the update to download and install, and if I had not had my factory warranty in place, I would have had to pay cash money. I guess this is the cost of more reliable vehicles, no pun intended (but totally intended).

What are they using, a 28.8Kbps dial up modem?

 

[AFD]

You should do your job for free too.

Do you donate money every time your phone or PC's OS/apps/browser/antivirus are updated? They have server and development costs too. Should their creators and employees also work for "free"? Do you pay extra for your shopping bags and paper receipts at Walmart? Those certainly aren't free either.

And I'm not saying that Joe Bob at XCDJR shouldn't get paid for his time, but until Jeep/Stellantis can figure out how to offer free over-the-air updates like everyone else, they should be footing this bill (or rather calculating this expense as part of their decision to have such computerized systems in their vehicles). Though in all honesty, it's probably still in the best interest of the dealership to offer such minor service "free" of charge, in the same way most will offer a "free" 10-million point inspection, hoping that you'll purchase more substantial parts and labor from them now or in the future.

And no, it's very unlikely that a 2018 JL will need a 2023 update for their infotainment system, unless it's fixing a bug or design that shouldn't have been there in the first place. But having the software already written, it's a bit of a waste for Jeep to not offer such updates to existing customers if for nothing other than 'good will' for a relatively minor expense that simply makes the company look better to consumers by having some degree of care and attention for their product and making minor improvements when needed.

Jmo, but outside of any ECU changes or map updates, uConnect software should be provided free of charge by Jeep/Stellantis either OTA or in a manner that can be easily done by most consumers without any assistance needed from the dealership.

 

[mwilk012]

Do you donate money every time your phone or PC's OS/apps/browser/antivirus are updated? They have server and development costs too. Should their creators and employees also work for "free"? Do you pay extra for your shopping bags and paper receipts at Walmart? Those certainly aren't free either.

And I'm not saying that Joe Bob at XCDJR shouldn't get paid for his time, but until Jeep/Stellantis can figure out how to offer free over-the-air updates like everyone else, they should be footing this bill (or rather calculating this expense as part of their decision to have such computerized systems in their vehicles). Though in all honesty, it's probably still in the best interest of the dealership to offer such minor service "free" of charge, in the same way most will offer a "free" 10-million point inspection, hoping that you'll purchase more substantial parts and labor from them now or in the future.

And no, it's very unlikely that a 2018 JL will need a 2023 update for their infotainment system, unless it's fixing a bug or design that shouldn't have been there in the first place. But having the software already written, it's a bit of a waste for Jeep to not offer such updates to existing customers if for nothing other than 'good will' for a relatively minor expense that simply makes the company look better to consumers by having some degree of care and attention for their product and making minor improvements when needed.

Jmo, but outside of any ECU changes or map updates, uConnect software should be provided free of charge by Jeep/Stellantis either OTA or in a manner that can be easily done by most consumers without any assistance needed from the dealership.

They’re not a minor service. They’re a major pain in the ass that requires thousands of dollars in investment just to begin to be able to do them correctly.

 

[Jtclayton612]

Heard somewhere that for updates dealerships usually charge about an hour of labor for each one, like updating to LEDs, So with rates being anywhere from $100-$200 the $400 sounds about right.

I would absolutely question why those are necessary though.

Also it sucks TSB updates or whatever are being charged for.

 

[AlgUSF]

You should do your job for free too.

Hmmmm, I’m trying to figure out where in my post I said “free”. Can’t find it, maybe because I didn’t say it.

Honestly the EEPROMs or NOR flash devices on there can’t be all that big. I can write pretty large 2Gb flash devices in under an hour and it takes seconds to set it up and press the button. I would figure with millions of Jeeps on the road they have a very automated install process. Programming devices over CANBUS doesn’t even require a bay,.

 

[AFD]

They’re not a minor service. They’re a major pain in the ass that requires thousands of dollars in investment just to begin to be able to do them correctly.

And the terminal that prints your Walmart receipt isn't cheap either (it should be, but it's not). It's just an associated cost of doing business. Shouldn't even be an issue though, as most other manufacturers have already figured out how to push free over-the-air updates without any assistance needed from the dealer.

The MUT-3 OEM diagnostics/programmer that was used by multiple dealerships to provide free ECU updates for my Mitsu many years out of warranty also cost them thousands of dollars, not including their time, labor and training expenses, yet the mfg still managed to foot the bill for each of those services.

 

[mwilk012]

as most other manufacturers have already figured out how to push free over-the-air updates without any assistance needed from the dealer.

Proof? I have never heard of a PCM update OTA.

 

[AFD]

Proof? I have never heard of a PCM update OTA.

For drivetrain? Honestly not sure, though Tesla's constant free OTA updates seem capable of changing things far beyond the average 'infotainment' system parameters, including HVAC, battery and braking. More specifically, the newest STM Stellar MCUs would handle drivetrain functionality along with OTA.

I'm assuming the majority of manufacturers that are currently offering free OTA updates now are doing so for less critical components (radio/HVAC).

 

[mwilk012]

For drivetrain? Honestly not sure, though Tesla's constant free OTA updates seem capable of changing things far beyond the average 'infotainment' system parameters, including HVAC, battery and braking. More specifically, the newest STM Stellar MCUs would handle drivetrain functionality along with OTA.

I'm assuming the majority of manufacturers that are currently offering free OTA updates now are doing so for less critical components (radio/HVAC).

Not even hvac. Just radio.

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