The Hidden Warranty (and secret Chrysler warranties)
The universal "hidden warranty"
Every car sold in the United States comes with a warranty you may not be aware of. It covers a variety of components for five years or 50,000 miles. Newer cars are be covered by an even longer warranty on selected components, such as the computer and catalytic converter. This is the "emissions warranty," designed to ensure that American cars do not pollute as badly as they otherwise would. It places the burden of emission system reliability on the automaker, so they have to find ways to make the car stay "clean" for as long as they can, or pay to fix it. There are actually longer warranties available for many cars depending on the year. Check your manual or the DOT.
Check your warranty booklet for details. 1993 models, for example, covered not just the obvious emissions-related items, but also the coil, fuel injection, spark plugs, speed and temperature sensors, throttle body, turbocharger, even secondary ignition wires. (Some of these items are only covered to the first replacement interval - e.g. spark plugs are covered until 30,000 miles or so). Catalytic converters on vehicles built after 1995 are warranted for eight years or 80,000 miles.
If your dealer gives you trouble - some claim ignorance and refuse to believe the booklet that comes with the car! - try calling Chrysler at 800 992 1997. If that fails, or for more information than you get with your car, write to:
Director, Field Operation and Support Division (6406J)
EPA
401 M Street Southwest
Washington, DC 20460
If you think it is wonderful that you may be able to get your car fixed because of these warranties, consider in the next election whether you are voting for someone who considers laws like this to be "throttling industry" - or someone who thinks they are "customer protection."
There are some restrictions. First, to qualify for the warranty, you may have to fail inspection. Therefore, if your state supplies them, go to a state inspection service rather than your dealer to get the car inspected! Second, you have to be operating the vehicle within the US (maybe or Canada) and within normal parameters. For more, check the book in your glove compartment!
Other laws for your protection
Some states, notably California, have additional laws for your protection. Get to know them. They are in your glove compartment! (Well, they were when the car was new). Details on lemon laws are also provided in your glove compartment (for most states).
Hidden warranties that we know about
Most auto companies will voluntarily fix common problems that are basically due to manufacturing or design defects. For example, Chrysler covers the four-speed automatic transmissions from some years through 10 years or 100,000 miles. A neighbor received a new body computer on his long-out-of-warranty minivan for free. Call 800 992 1997 if you live in the US - it can't hurt to try. (Note that Chrysler is not the only company to have a "silent warranty" - it is a widespread practice).
Dan Myers noted that 2001-2003 minivans with the 3.3 or 3.8 liter engine have an air conditioner compressor warranty extension to 7 years, 70,000 miles if they fit the following description. This includes not just replacing the compressor and related lines, but also checking the computer to see if the correct software is used, and checking (and presumably replacing) the receiver-drier. See warranty bulletin D-03-12 or TSB 24-004-04. This applies specifically to "RS vehicles with the 3.3 or 3.8 engine (sales code ega, egh, or egm) and a single a/c system (sales code haa or had) built on or before February 23, 2003 (MDH 0223xx) or a dual a/c system (sales code hbb) built on or before April 1, 2003 (MDH 0401xx) and RG vehicles equipped with a 3.3l engine (sales code ega) and a single a/c system (sales code haa, had, or haj) built on or before April 7, 2003 (mdh 0407xx) or a dual a/c system (sales code hah) built on or before May 27, 2003 (mdh 0527xx)." The problem is failure due a lack of lubrication (presumably the updated software periodically runs the system to ensure lubrciation.
But...this story (from Jeffrey Becker) may be of interest.
We owned a 1996 Plymouth Voyager and experienced two(2) AC Compressor failures. Not deterred, we subsequently purchased a 1999 Grand Caravan. In April 2004 while out of town and just about to jump onto the PA Turnpike we experienced a sudden and total failure of the AC Compressor (clutch seizure), resulting in the "dropping" of the belt tensioner, and the sudden loosening of the serpentine belt... and well, it could have been bad. Fortunately we were right near a Dodge dealer (a 5 star) and they took us that day and repaired the vehicle. It had 68,050 miles on it at the time. I recall specifically asking the "advisor" about any recalls on the compressor, as we had been through this twice before. He stated there was nothing on this subject. Aside from having to plop down $800 out of pocket, we had a happy ending and a potential tragedy avoided.
Fast forward to January 2005... we're looking to buy a new van and fall in love with the 2005 Grand Caravan SXT. We express our concern to the salesman about the AC compressors, but he assures us that they have been redesigned and are no longer a problem. In fact, he offers, Chrysler issued an EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ALL 1997-2000 CARAVANS/GRAND CARAVANS for all AC compressor repairs. He believes this was put out by Chrysler in October 2003. We then explained what happened to us in April 2004, and he AND the Service Manager advise us to contact Chrysler/Dodge to get our money back for the repair, as our 1999 van was included in the extended warranty. They volunteered that they had done that many times for their customers who had similar work done in their shop. Sounds great, right? I then contacted Dodge customer assistance, who denied that there was an extended warranty issued for that particular model, those years, or that particular problem. They also denied the existence of such things as hidden warranties or silent recalls.
Curious, I then contacted "another" 5 -star Dodge dealer in Maryland and explained that I had a 1999 GC, heard about the extended warranty, told him we had a defective compressor, etc.,... and he said, "Oh yes, we see alot of that. Just bring it in and we'll take care of it." I then tried to verify that it would be repaired for free as it was covered in the extended warranty, and he said, "YES." Well, now armed with that information I contacted Chrysler/Dodge again... they took a little more time this time and informed me that yes, there was an extended warranty issued for that model, those years, and that particular problem... just not "my" SPECIFIC van, based on the serial number (last 6 digits of the VIN)*. What? I then called BACK the dealer in Maryland to ONCE AGAIN verify that it would be free, and told him that a "friend" had told me to be careful, that only some models were covered. The Service Manager then informed me that was ridiculous, as they were all assembled in the same plant, from parts of the same design manufactured in the same place. The serial number (last six digits) meant nothing in thsi instance. I then contacted Chrysler AGAIN, and was told that there was nothing they "could" do for me... even though they would not go on record as disputing what the Service Manager told me.
Allpar covers all Chrysler and related vehicles* with news, performance tips, forums, histories, repairs, racing, and more. Use the menus on top of the pages!
Cars - Engines - History - Forums - Repairs - Reviews - Other car reviews - Us - Terms of Service - News - Random link -
Corrections/Additions
Please read the terms of use! * Mopar, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, HEMI, and certain other names are trademarks of Chrysler, LLC. We are not Chrysler. We are not responsible for the consequences of actions taken based on this site and make no guarantees regarding validity or applicability of information or advice. The Webmaster is not an expert. Copyright © 1998-2000, David Zatz; copyright © 2001-2008, Allpar LLC. All rights reserved. Recommend this page!
We hope you liked Allpar's Jeep, Plymouth, Chrysler, and Dodge car, truck, and minivan information.
