Dodge Mopar Battery Warranty

My 1996 Dodge Caravan has had three Mopar batteries. None have ever made it through the warranty period. My latest one had a 60-month warranty and failed with 13 months remaining. The Dodge dealer in Mount Doea, Florida (ADVANTAGE) offered me 78 cents for the prorata warranty. They did this by bumping up the replacement cost to $120 but selling the battery for $90. The service manager said they lose money on batteries and do this only to attract customers to their shop. How incredulous!

Then they said if I took the 78 cent adjustment the new battery warranty would only be for the remaining 13 months. Therefore, It would be to my ADVANTAGE to pay the full $90 and get a new 60-month watrranty. I could not believe such garbage coming from a Dodge deaalership!

I took the oportunity to contact the Senior Staff Representative for Chrysler Customer Assistance and it even got worse. Gail, the senior staff rep, said new Mopar batteries only carry a 12-month warranty. Mine was over. She had no knowledge of a prorata warranty period. Besides, all warranties are the responsibility of dealerships and they are independently owned. I should go back to the dealer. I could not imagine a more inane approach to having my Mopar warranty honored.

It doesn't take much understanding to see why American cars are fraught with quality issues throughout the sales, manufacturing and warranty process. The total disdain for consumers and lack of honoring warranties is indicative of a declining industry. The nonsensical approach to resolving legitimate customer concerns has become a pitiful part of the business model for Dodge, and others I fear.

I went elsewhere and bought a higher rated Interstate battery with 82 month warranty for about $70.

Customers need to be wary of Dodge and Mopar warranties. Something is seriously wrong with their business model.

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