Has anyone else had to deal with SRT and the awful warranty department? Not fun!

[triblk6spd]

Soooo ya'll probably read my thread on my 90mph vibration...long story short it's been over a month and a half and they have literally managed to replace only my driveshaft. I'm waiting on a halfshaft and nobody seems to know where it is or when it's coming.
Maybe it's just me but every single warranty issue I ever had w my Corvettes was handled in a manner above and beyond my expectations. This SRT shit with their, "I don't know right now...I'm waiting in an email is really pissing me off.
As you can imagine I'm trying to have my car ready (at least driveable) for TX2K15. I'v got new 20" Strasse Forged wheels and new tires here next week as well.
I'm just venting now but has anyone managed to find a way to get clear concise answers to my questions? I'm mean if the halfshafts don't fix it then I'm looking at potentially a differential and possibly a transmission. At this rate it will be summer before anything is fixed.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Couple pics from this weekend w the new spring caps on.
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah287/justin51/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/IMG_20150307_153926_zps6bn77mtx.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/justin51/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/IMG_20150307_153926_zps6bn77mtx.jpg.html)

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah287/justin51/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/20150307_141831_zpsgojcrq0m.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/justin51/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/20150307_141831_zpsgojcrq0m.jpg.html)

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah287/justin51/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/20150307_141840_zpswknvael2.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/justin51/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/20150307_141840_zpswknvael2.jpg.html)

[Dajerseyviper]

At least the car looks bad ass parked..

[triblk6spd]

Lol. Thanks man! I guess that's one way to look at it. :)

[Victxv10]

I hear your frustrations but you can't compare warranty of Viper to GM. They make so many vettes that parts are available by the truck load to GM. Viper, 600 cars a year, parts are produced for production line before warranty repairs. There are a few people on here who "know" people higher up that can help. Maybe they will chime in.

[triblk6spd]

I know man...and I get it...it's just frustrating when people who "should know"....straight up don't know. Not having a part available is one thing but having people just not know what's going on is another.
Obviously I'v been patient and have definitely been playing by the rules. I'm just kinda wore out w the process.
I sent a message to my cousin who works for Chrysler in DC asking for assistance. We will see if he can help. Hope hope!

[FrankBarba]

No Excuse...Parts are Parts...Take it off the line....this guy needs up & running...Let someone down the line wait...

[TQMonster]

Viper looks great but not good when you can't drive it in a way that it was built for, maybe one of the SRT engineers can get involved to figure this out before a bunch of parts are replaced unnecessarily.

[ViperDC]

Car is lookin badass

[ViperGeorge]

This is probably not your problem but let me tell you what happened with a Saleen I had. Car had a vibration. Took it to the dealer. They said a rear wheel was not round and replaced it. Vibration persisted. Next they said a front tire was out of round and replaced it. Vibration persisted. Balanced all tires. Vibration persisted. I got a lawyer (ok this is the Cliff Notes version, there was more going on). They agreed to replace all tires, all rotors, and do a performance upgrade to the engine. Picked the car up and vibration persisted. Took the car to my Dodge dealer, the one that worked on my Vipers, asked them to balance tires. Problem resolved. Apparently the Saleen dealer either didn't know how to balance the tires or their machine was screwed up. After all the problems I had it turned out getting someone who knew what they were doing to balance the tires was all it took. Maybe a weight fell off from the factory, no clue.

[triblk6spd]

Man I wish. :)
So far in have (on my own dime)
Had my current wheels and tires roadforce balanced
Swapped on a set of *known to be good wheels and tires off a 09 ACR.
I had the Tomball spring caps installed with a fresh alignment *ruling out an alignment issue.
Put her on a dyno to make 100% sure we were dealing with something other than an aerodynamic issue
Pulled my rear wheel wells out and checked the brake ducking and the wheel liner itsself for proper installation. All that is good.
For the most part I'v left the front end alone...there is zero vibration in the steering wheel....zero vibration in the shifter...

What really gets me is I wanted to...before TX2K15....do headers and a tune along with the wheels and the spring caps. At this point I'm actually worried about a damn buy back situation and don't wanna put parts on that are expensive to take off. :(

[ViperGeorge]

If the vibration is felt in the seat it is likely driveshaft, diff, rear wheels, rear tires, or rear rotors. Since you have checked most of these items, what about rear rotors? Vibrations while annoying can be found. A good tech should be able to find it. Ship the car to Woodhouse and let them figure it out. I know its a pain but if they fix it I would then tell SRT to pay for the shipping.

[triblk6spd]

Truth. Rotors must be good. Brakes are dead smooth as the vibration occurs. I'm really praying that the half shaft *if they ever arrive do the trick. My tech definitely knows his stuff it almost seems as if he is part of the cog and waiting for answers to emails as well.

[Reaper]

I was in the Mustang circles for years before I bought this Viper and had a couple Cobras with the IRS rear end. Some people had new Cobras and experienced a vibration similar to what you describe. After a couple months of various owners taking their new cars back to dealers, it was discovered that some cars had drive shafts that were out of balance. Once this was found as the culprit, Ford would overnight a new drive shaft to dealers that had affected customer cars. My buddy was a Ford tech at the time and he showed me the colored marks on the aluminum drive shafts that showed it had been checked and was good to go. So Id look at the drive shaft since all else has been ruled out. Good luck, I know its been frustrating.

[triblk6spd]

Driveshaft was replaced last week with a brand new unit. No change unfortunately.

[johniew398]

I've only had a couple of warranty issues with Viper and I shouldn't say issue, I mean problems. And that was on my 08 ACR and they were taken care of quickly. But that was after the Gen IV's had been in production a few years. I can see having to wait on parts on the Gen V's as someone said, they don't make a lot of Vipers to begin with.

[Nine Ball]

Does the vibration only occur around 90 mph +/- a few mph? Or does it get worse as speeds increase? Trying to figure out if this is a harmonic distortion type frequency related to speed, or something that just manifests at 90 and gets worse.

[triblk6spd]

Good question. I havnt really wanted to go much faster. Is *seems to get worse for a bit then maybe slightly better as it gets faster. Comes in pretty hard at 90 tho.

[mjorgensen]

90 mph regardless of gear you are in?

[triblk6spd]

Yes...90mph in any gear...4th, 5th and 6th. :(

[Coloviper]

Don't rule out the rotors too quick. Porsche is notorious for bad rotors on the higher end Turbo S Cayennes and Panameras. My Cayenne Turbo S did as you described. Always around 75-80 mph. Won't bore you with the details and everything we checked and changed but I just lived with it until I wore out the front rotors and replace with new ones. Vibration went away. Using the brakes, no vibration but driving with load or coasting, it would vibrate horrible in that mph range. I would check there too. Do you have a brake upgrade?

[Coloviper]

BTW Porsche knew there was a problem with their rotors but since it did not affect braking, they would do nothing. Not just a Dodge or SRT issue. Other manufacturers are just as bad. Don't get me started on creaking front air ride struts/shocks. Sound like a 75 year old car from Cuba but only with 5000 miles. Porsche won't replace as technically still functioning. Be diligent and you will get it fixed.

[triblk6spd]

Well SRT really knocked this one out of the park. After discussing the need for a halfshaft Thursdsy last week FINALLY today (Tuesday) they shipped a halfshaft. When does it arrive in Austin you ask? Friday! 4 full days. No overnight shipping (even though the tech said they would overnight the part) I mean really...it's a halfshaft...and I'v made it know the only reason I'm even putting up a stink is because I'm trying to make an event (TX2K15) with a car operating at 100%. These fools couldn't have at LEAST 2 day aired it!! It's not like it's an engine block. At this point I'm pretty pissed...if it's not a halfshaft then I'm pretty much out of luck as each new part has taken 3X longer than it should have to reach me and my broken Viper here in Austin.

[Orange TA]

It could get worse, trust me. My bone stock TA developed a rod knock and not only did my local dealer refuse to service it under warranty, they convinced the Northeast regional rep to put a block on my warranty, essentially voiding it. Luckily, I was able to get the original selling dealer out in Ohio to take care of it for me, otherwise I would've had to have taken action (no time for that).

[99RT10]

It could get worse, trust me. My bone stock TA developed a rod knock and not only did my local dealer refuse to service it under warranty, they convinced the Northeast regional rep to put a block on my warranty, essentially voiding it. Luckily, I was able to get the original selling dealer out in Ohio to take care of it for me, otherwise I would've had to have taken action (no time for that).

That is some jacked up sh1t. I am glad there are a great group of dealers on this board. There should be a section where the sh1tass dealers are identified and the reasons why are listed. Some should be avoided like the plague.

[triblk6spd]

That is seriously effed up. I'm not sure how or why a dealer who services these cars could allow a dealer to NOT repair a warranty issue. Then again with SRT this far behind the power curve on my project I can believe anything at this point.

[Vombomb]

It could get worse, trust me. My bone stock TA developed a rod knock and not only did my local dealer refuse to service it under warranty, they convinced the Northeast regional rep to put a block on my warranty, essentially voiding it. Luckily, I was able to get the original selling dealer out in Ohio to take care of it for me, otherwise I would've had to have taken action (no time for that).

Seriously would put that dealer in it's own thread, cuz that is some SERIOUSLY messed up stuff. If there is any military bases in the area, make friends, and spread the news, could get them put on a black list. Happens here A LOT, you'd be surprised how quick a dealer will work with you when they hear that...

[2doorrocket]

LOL! SRT Customer Care and Warranty Sucks. It's been 8 months.

[triblk6spd]

Update: NOT good. Seriously unsatisfactory customer service in every way, shape and form.
So last I updated...the dealer installed halfshafts....didn't fix a darn thing. I REALLY thought this was it. While the car was up in the air the tech had another tech run the car up to 90 while myself and another tech felt around under the car...from about a foot or two in front of the diff there was no vibration...from there back there was vibration all the way to the back of the car. I might add that the vibration was equal on both sides. Standing under the car with hands on both lower a arms the vibration was even.
Soooo we figured...it MUST be the diff as rotors or wheel bearings would be *probably on one side or the other. The tech and I both figured they would send a new differential...SRT rep said they would probably overnight one. This was last week.
Monday... (yesterday) nothing...literally nothing got done. :(
Today I call the SRT rep and he says, "OK sir the dealer has a vibration analyzer and they should have the readings and this well in hand by this afternoon." I was like HOW THE HELL is that going to happen...my car is in my garage AND last I heard the dealer didn't possess one of those machines. He said..."no sir they do...they are a certified SRT dealer." I said ok i didn't think so but whatever. He said he was gonna call the tech. I said OK. We got off the phone and I waited a while and called the tech myself. The tech confirmed what I already knew...that they didn't own such a tool. I called the SRT rep back and he said he left a message for the tech...I said I just spoke with the tech and confirmed my earlier thought that there was no way anyone was going to get things taken care of because ONE...they don't have my car and TWO they don't have the necessary tools.
Sooooo longer story short...my tech texts me about 30 minutes later and says he spoke with the filed expert and that it would be "A FEW WEEKS BEFORE ANYONE WOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT MY CAR!!" So in a nutshell this is where it's at.
I made at call to Chrysler corporate and spoke with a family member who works there. He is going to try to help. He is the last person I wanted to bother with this shit. :(
My tech is going above and beyond and is trying to maybe find a local guy who might allow a swap of differentials. That's going WAY above if you ask me.
I'm not sure how the lemon law works or how the buy back stuff works but are they now dragging their feet as to not throw another part at it sons not to meet the criteria for either of these situations to occur? I REALLY love this car and don't want another. I just want THIS one FIXED.
Thanks all for hearing out my frustrations.
I'm using this thread and my other thread on the actual problem to document this whole experience so bare with me if I'm seem to ramble.

[GBS]

Sad to continue to hear about unresolved warranty issues and dealers unable or unwilling to fix things.

[ViperSmith]

Check your lemon laws from the state you purchased in and put pressure on them that way.

[Nine Ball]

I'm pretty sure the same diff housing is used in all Gen 3-5 cars, if that helps expand your swap out test availability. Might be as simple as re-shimming the current diff, maybe it has too much or too little backlash. The whole 90 mph thing is just strange to me, that sort of wobble is usually a wheel or tire being out of round. Maybe try removing both rear brake rotors from the car and re-trying the test on the lift? The wheels will still bolt on. Could also try with the wheels removed, on the lift.

[viper04]

Sorry hear this, if you need a diff housing to try I have a low miles one (3000 miles) you can try. It's a Gen 3 with the 3.06 not sure if it will fit, if it can you are welcome to it, just pay for shipping. Just PM me and I can sent it to you if that helps.

[swexlin]

Sorry hear this, if you need a diff housing to try I have a low miles one (3000 miles) you can try. It's a Gen 3 with the 3.06 not sure if it will fit, if it can you are welcome to it, just pay for shipping. Just PM me and I can sent it to you if that helps.


This exemplifies what is great about our club, and the Viper community in general.

To the OP, I'm sorry to day, this is nothing new. I've had many Dodge cars and trucks over the years, and trying to get a service can be trying sometime. I had an 04 Ram 3500 Cummins. An overall great truck, but like all that era, the Bosch CP3 injection pump developed a leak - they all did. Even with it dripping on the ground, the service manager refused to believe there was a leak. He said it was just "condensation". I had to physically take him, crawl under the truck, GRAB his hand, and put it on the leak so he could get diesel fuel on his finger. Only THEN did he order a new pump (under warranty). I have several stories like this.

I too, would be looking at lemon law at this point. Please don't let this get you down on Vipers. The Gen 5s are fantastic machines. Lemon this one, get another. My $0.02.

[AZTVR]

Sooooo longer story short...my tech texts me about 30 minutes later and says he spoke with the filed expert and that it would be "A FEW WEEKS BEFORE ANYONE WOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT MY CAR!!" .

You have to look at it from Chrysler and SRT's standpoint. They obviously have way more problems with their vehicles in the field than they can handle. They must be overwhelmed. In addition, your problem is really outside of the speed range that the car was meant to travel at. Probably they have only one or two guys that could troubleshoot defects that occur at such high speeds as 90 mph. You obviously are expecting way too much performance out of this car. Above and beyond what they are prepared to support, technically. [\end sarcasm]

I would like to hear what the actual SRT engineers say to each other in private when they read about problems that their target customers have such as this one. It must be extremely frustrating to create such a great car, and then not be able to go quickly fix the issue. I know engineers. I be one. Tackling these kind of things is fun for them.

Hopefully, they wake up at Dodge pretty soon, and connect you to the right person.

[triblk6spd]

Update: Just spoke with my tech. A field engineer will be her on Tuesday (today is Thursday) to look at my car. Hope hope!

[ViperGeorge]

If I get this right, you have replaced driveshaft, half shafts, swapped tires/wheels, and road force balanced all tires. That leaves the diff, rotors, hubs, or U joints. Rotors are easy to swap with another car and it should be easy to find a nice club member to help. Diff would be harder, I don't think I would let someone "borrow" mine for a test, rotors, sure, diff, probably not. I did have a problem once with a rear U joint on a Ford, took the tech forever to find that one but symptoms were similar to yours. Vibration in the seat at a certain rpm. If it were a diff problem I would expect some noise. Can they open up the diff to see if there is a chunk missing from the gear?

[ViperGeorge]

Is it possible to insert a poll in this thread to allow people to vote on most likely problem? Tires, wheels, halfshafts, driveshaft, u-joints, rotors, diff, hubs. It would be interesting to see where most people think the problem is. Based on everything you've done I would say u-joints or diff.

[dethred]

Like Nineball said, it would seem most effective to begin removing parts and disconnecting parts from the drivetrain until the vibration goes away. Wheels, rotors, etc, hell even remove the axles if it comes down to it. If you get down to the Engine, prop shaft, and differential being the only drivetrain components still connected, then a replacement of the propshaft will tell you that its either the diff or the motor. I'm simplifying, but searching for something is down to eliminating causes. That being said, I don't know what the heck I'm talking about. :-)

[Rapidrezults]

Does this vibration only happen when in gear at 90mph or does it also happen when getting up to 90 or above and coasting in neutral?

[senior racer]

J.D.Power just released a CSI survey that showed the 5 FCA brands as the lowest regarded brands of all manufacturers. You can not expect good treatment from an FCA dealer. Their approach to warranty issues is ingrained all thru the organization. Minor issues can be lived with,repeat visits to the dealer are the norm. If you have a major issue(My G5 dropped a valve destroying the engine at under 300 miles) you had best get out the biggest hammer in your tool box(your lawyer) and lead with that. There are some dealers that have good customer service and exceptional service departments but they are few and far between and they are not limited to the dealers that hang around here but do your research before buying even if it is a sweet deal.

[triblk6spd]

Ya'll are right...there are definitely still a few variables. We could definitely remove the wheels, then brakes, then axles and see if the condition improves.
I'm no expert but if the rotors were oit of wack I'd think I'd feel it in the pedal at least a little.
The driveshaft had all new U Joints.

[Aspirations57]

Ya'll are right...there are definitely still a few variables. We could definitely remove the wheels, then brakes, then axles and see if the condition improves.
I'm no expert but if the rotors were out of whack I'd think I'd feel it in the pedal at least a little.
The drive shaft had all new U Joints.


Gee while they are at it lets take the whole body off it and get it down to a rolling chassis. This situation is beyond sad. How many hours of YOUR time have you spent on your own car trying to fix a problem that was not created by you? I think your being very courteous with your dealer and Dodge. Dodge at the very least should be giving you a loaner car and take your car until the problem is fixed.
I know they will not loan you a Viper,which they should, be maybe a charger,challenger,etc.
I know you want your car fixed but how long will the shot-gun trouble-shooting go on before you decide its time to lemon -law it and have it replaced with a like model?
Like I said you have been more than patient,isnt it time to start hammering Dodge?

[Aspirations57]

Tripblk, how many miles are on your car and when did this problem start, mileage wise?

[46hemi]

Yeah, I wish I had more customers like you...I would never need to fix anything. Get your documentation in order, go over your car with a fine tooth comb (I would take pics of everything in case they damage the car while storing or trying to fix) dump it off at the dealer and let them know the clock is ticking and start getting familiar with your lemon laws. Swapping parts on a brand new car yourself is absurd. They make cool cars and trucks but I have found when you have anything outside of a normal repair item you are in for a long, bumpy ride. Sucks that you may miss the event but i am willing to bet they would lovevany opportunity to deny warranty based off of a percieved mistake made by a non certified tech. My $ .02

[triblk6spd]

You guys are all right. To be clear the tech who would be swapping the diff...even if it was not at the dealer would the the certified Viper tech from the dealer. The field expert is looking at this on Tuesdsy...3 days from now. I'll report back!

[Nine Ball]

I'm no expert but if the rotors were oit of wack I'd think I'd feel it in the pedal at least a little.
The driveshaft had all new U Joints.

You'd only feel it in the pedal if the rotors are warped, which cause the caliper pistons to vibrate in/out. You wouldn't feel it if the rotors themselves were simply out of balance.

[Steve M]

You'd only feel it in the pedal if the rotors are warped, which cause the caliper pistons to vibrate in/out. You wouldn't feel it if the rotors themselves were simply out of balance.

This reminds me of a handful of C6ZR1 owners I talked to at Spring Mountain that complained of vibration related to the carbon ceramic rotors...some had it, others did not. The only fix seemed to be to keep replacing them (under warranty of course) until the vibration went away.

Not that we're talking about CCBs here, but it's all part of the equation.

If they haven't already, I'd take a look at the transmission, specifically the tail shaft area. It's a shot in the dark, but who knows at this point. You could also try unbolting the driveshaft and rotating it 180°...with as short as it is, I wouldn't expect that to be the issue, but again, a relatively quick and easy thing to try.

[supersnake]

I haven't noticed if you have the aero package, I am wondering if at higher speeds the aero is sucking the car closer to the ground which will push your slip yoke into the transmission further. If by chance and I mean a big chance the driveshaft is to long, It will bottom out and cause a vibration. Chances are it is not but it might be worth a measure and check the length in the Service manual. Run into this before. Not on a Viper but another vehicle. If it is longer than spec I would try another shaft
.
You guys are all right. To be clear the tech who would be swapping the diff...even if it was not at the dealer would the the certified Viper tech from the dealer. The field expert is looking at this on Tuesdsy...3 days from now. I'll report back!

[triblk6spd]

Update: Field engineer looked at the car today. From what I can tell it took him roughly 15 minutes with his vibration frequency analyzer to point the finger at the diff. Still no word on where and how long it will take to get me a new diff but it's a start.

[Next Phase]

Glad to hear it's getting worked out...

[Malu59RT]

Update: Field engineer looked at the car today. From what I can tell it took him roughly 15 minutes with his vibration frequency analyzer to point the finger at the diff. Still no word on where and how long it will take to get me a new diff but it's a start.

What was the final verdict Justin?

[Victxv10]

I asked him about this yesterday and it was the diff. It's been replaced and he's now running 180 in Mexico..lol

[Malu59RT]

Awesome, glad it got resolved!