Being charged for software updates question

[SH556JL]

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.

My old Mini was getting updates if available (not maps, that was extra understandably) every time I came in for oil changes. Plus they would wash the Mini and vacuum, wipe down the inside (I wouldn’t call it a detail, just decent cleaning). All while I enjoyed a ”free” latte and fancy pastries in a comfortable chair... Switching to Jeep was a bit of a shock when it comes to servicing, that I often choose do it myself... Sad when both of my Jeeps cost much more and I actually bought them new with warranties (my Mini was never under warranty).

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[Tethmes]

Firmware updates on almost any tech is included in the cost of the purchase. You already paid 30-60k for your wrangler, so warranty or not, it should be "FREE*". Dude who's claiming it shouldn't be is legit out of his mind.

*FREE meaning manufacturer reimburses dealer for their time to install.

 

[AFD]

Not even hvac. Just radio.

Afaik, Tesla's free updates include HVAC.

If you're ever bored, check out the various release notes for their updates at Notateslaapp.com. I'm not into EVs myself, but the sheer amount of constant updates and tweaks for both basic and low-level processes, even for critical safety components is actually quite impressive. Especially for something that is provided for "free" (TANSTAAFL, no free lunch. Everything has a cost that is accounted for in some manner - though how it's presented can change consumer perception in a positive, neutral or negative manner).

I'm actually not fond of software updates in general and if something's working just fine and as intended, I'd personally prefer to leave it that way, but imo legitimate upgrades and fixes that are part of a company's efforts to continuously improve their products are a good thing for consumers and should reflect a company in a positive light for doing so. Paying a dealer $400 for a handful of updates (that most consumers will have no idea if they're actually useful or needed) on a vehicle costing upwards of $75k just looks incredibly bad versus silently incurring whatever expected cost for these at the time of purchase (and either reimbursing the dealer or delivering them OTA if possible).

It's just perspective I guess. Really don't think anyone here is suggesting that the dealers themselves should take a loss on the situation, unless that's something they're willing to do for other reasons (same reason most tire shops offer free rotations or the free 50-point inspection example).

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

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

 

[Paluss]

My old Mini was getting updates if available (not maps, that was extra understandably) every time I came in for oil changes. Plus they would wash the Mini and vacuum, wipe down the inside (I wouldn’t call it a detail, just decent cleaning). All while I enjoyed a ”free” latte and fancy pastries in a comfortable chair... Switching to Jeep was a bit of a shock when it comes to servicing, that I often choose do it myself... Sad when both of my Jeeps cost much more and I actually bought them new with warranties (my Mini was never under warranty).

Its dealer dependent I have 5 Jeep dealers within about 20 miles, 2 of them do the fancy coffee machine and pastries and vacuum/wash. 1 does just fancy coffee, and the other 2 have a room in the basement with a very bad TV LOL!. First 2 have much better customer service including access to the Tech for questions. I dont mind driving a bit further for competent repairs and quality customer service....

 

[SH556JL]

Its dealer dependent I have 5 Jeep dealers within about 20 miles, 2 of them do the fancy coffee machine and pastries and vacuum/wash. 1 does just fancy coffee, and the other 2 have a room in the basement with a very bad TV LOL!. First 2 have much better customer service including access to the Tech for questions. I dont mind driving a bit further for competent repairs and quality customer service....

I like that Mini dealer actually had the techs do a quick video inspection that was provided. It would actually show stuff and the tech would point the camera with a light to his concerns to plan for the next visit, but keep an eye on. The staff actually treated us like enthusiasts because they where mostly staffed about enthusiasts… It wasn’t all roses there, the sales side is horrible.

My experience with Jeep service is abusive. Staff will literally talk down to you and assume you’re stupid even when you prove them to be in the wrong. Waiting rooms remind of the old doctors office’s waiting areas my parents made me go to as a kid, only older and dated with crack tile and stained seating. Coffee machine always bone dry and those big water cooler dispensers with the cone paper cups.

Also reaching out to Jeep “Cares” shows it’s a disappointment from the top down.

 

[Paluss]

I like that Mini dealer actually had the techs do a quick video inspection that was provided. It would actually show stuff and the tech would point the camera with a light to his concerns to plan for the next visit, but keep an eye on. The staff actually treated us like enthusiasts because they where mostly staffed about enthusiasts… It wasn’t all roses there, the sales side is horrible.

My experience with Jeep service is abusive. Staff will literally talk down to you and assume you’re stupid even when you prove them to be in the wrong. Waiting rooms remind of the old doctors office’s waiting areas my parents made me go to as a kid, only older and dated with crack tile and stained seating. Coffee machine always bone dry and those big water cooler dispensers with the cone paper cups.

Also reaching out to Jeep “Cares” shows it’s a disappointment from the top down.

I hear you, I always said they should make the Sales People also handle service,

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

Situation: Just got my Jeep back from having the 'rear locker system service' issue dealt with,
Thoughts?

So, Jeep produced a Wrangler JL with defective components in the axles (made by Dana) and you have to pay for the repair ??

Wouldn't this defective axle be repaired as a recall ? why do we have to pay for something that I see as a recall ?? ... unless these sensors are deemed wear components/consumables?

And before you start the Jeep / Dana / Dealer flame wars.. please remember the Takata Air Bags recalls..

 

[AlgUSF]

Honestly, this is probably just a dealer upsell on the service drive. If any of the "updates" were required it'd be part of a recall. Can't get the revenue from the sales floor, get it from the service drive.

Edit: Reminds me of when I took my 20 year old Civic in for the Takata recall and walked out with an estimate of almost $2500 in needed repairs. LOL!

 

[Dr. RGB]

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

The shop is in Port Clinton, PA. I assumed they were still at 14.4 baud, which would explain the time issue.

 

[bbroich]

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).

*8 hours for a software update?!?! Are they using two tin cans and some string for their internet connection?

 

[Dr. RGB]

*8 hours for a software update?!?! Are they using two tin cans and some string for their internet connection?

I was shocked as well. Not sure why it took so long, but I do not do any maintenance on the bike (still under factory warranty), so I try to keep the shop on my good side.

 

[Powelligator]

So, Jeep produced a Wrangler JL with defective components in the axles (made by Dana) and you have to pay for the repair ??

Wouldn't this defective axle be repaired as a recall ? why do we have to pay for something that I see as a recall ?? ... unless these sensors are deemed wear components/consumables?

And before you start the Jeep / Dana / Dealer flame wars.. please remember the Takata Air Bags recalls..

I just got the word back from the dealer that my '22 Rubicon is at; they are replacing the entire axle due to the bad sensor. I had thought that full axle replacement was no longer necessary, apparently it still is. Another week for parts, and a week to install, I'm looking at three weeks total. In my case, at least, FCA is paying for it. More accurately, buyers on '23 and later Wranglers are paying for this, via price increases, etc...

 

[yokramer]

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.

What you seem to be missing in all of this is that its not the tech or even dealer in quite a few of the posts suggested to foot the bill, but Chrysler. Set it up just like any other warranty code and pay the tech the time to do the work.

Hell its no worse for a dealer to foot the bill than the bullshit $19.99 oil changes that the tech still get paid their .3 for the LOF and Parts gets fucked by selling at cost or under for Oil and Filter and the Parts/Service department ends up losing money in the hope that some cheap ass thats excited about a bottom dollar oil change is going to shake that last nickel out for an air filter too.

And unless things have changed in the last 8 years or so ECM/TCM/BCM flashes are pretty fool proof, at least Mazda/Hyundai/Kia/Subaru all had it figured out with either a USB stick or at most 15mins of upload right from the scan tool.

Shit back in the day when the new Canbus system came out in ~'03 when I was a new tech at a Dodge dealer it didnt take hours to update.

 

[JoeBelt]

You should do your job for free too.

Imagine being paid to sit at work for 8 hours watching a blue progress bar work itself across the screen. It’s the same as expecting to be paid to watch paint dry.

The ethical way is start the download, work on other jobs while it completes, and maybe check periodically. It’s maybe 1hr labor.

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