2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator Corrosion Warranty Update

FCA has issued Warranty Bulletin ID-23-03 Rev. H to simplify the corrosion warranty claim process for 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator (JT) vehicles. This bulletin updates the timing for repairs, adds 2024 model year vehicles, and revises the Collision Service Bulletin number. It also introduces changes to labor time and material allowances for specific repair processes.

The primary goal of this update is to streamline the process for corrosion warranty (W) claims related to paint repairs and panel replacements. For vehicles currently covered by an active corrosion warranty, the requirement for Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) pre-approval has been eliminated. This also removes the need for specific measurement requirements and the Repair vs Replace worksheet for claim support.

What's Changed in Corrosion Warranty Claims

This bulletin, ID-23-03 Rev. H, brings several key changes to how corrosion warranty claims are handled. The most significant is the removal of the Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) pre-approval step for vehicles still under an active corrosion warranty. This simplifies the initial stages of the claim process, making it faster for dealerships to proceed with necessary repairs.

Furthermore, the detailed measurement requirements and the Repair vs Replace worksheet, previously mandatory for claim support, are no longer required for these specific corrosion repairs. The bulletin also incorporates 2024 model year vehicles into its scope and updates the Collision Service Bulletin number, reflecting the latest procedures and allowances for labor and materials. This update is effective for repairs completed on or after August 13, 2024.

Important Warnings and Owner Information

Owners should be aware of several critical points regarding this updated process for their Jeep Wrangler corrosion warranty:

• Hinge Replacement: If corrosion is found on hinges, they MUST be replaced as a set (upper and lower per component) to ensure proper alignment and appearance. However, do NOT replace hinges on other doors if no signs of corrosion are found. For more information on hinges, refer to Technical Service Bulletin 23-020-23.
• VDI Submission: If all required information for Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) does not fit within the Digital Imaging portal, everything must be emailed to "[email protected]" with the email subject line "VIN and Dealer Code."
• Documentation for Claims: Clear photos of the affected corrosion areas are required to support the repair. These photos MUST include the vehicle's VIN and the affected body panel. This can be achieved by including a sticky note with the VIN, a grease pen notation, or a copy of the Repair Order in the photo, as shown in Figure 3.

Filiform Corrosion and Expired Warranties

This bulletin also addresses how to handle Filiform corrosion concerns for vehicles where the corrosion warranty has expired. The term "valid documentation" refers to any type of Repair Order (including internal), Customer Care Case #, or an email to the Business Center, indicating the concern was raised prior to the warranty expiration.

• No Valid Documentation: If a customer raises a Filiform corrosion concern after their warranty has expired and lacks valid documentation from before the expiration, they will be responsible for their portion of the repair cost. This cost is determined by the Warranty Goodwill Grid.
• With Valid Documentation: If a customer has valid documentation of the corrosion concern from when the warranty was active, the repair will likely be completed without a copay. In this scenario, dealerships can evaluate and "Accept" the Warranty Goodwill Grid outcome without charging the customer, ensuring $0 is entered in the Dealer Adjustment field and the claim is submitted with "RA" in the authorization field.

Repair Procedure Overview

Before any repair is performed, the dealership must submit a pre-authorization request via the Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) process to verify images of the panels showing Filiform corrosion. Once VDI is authorized and the Goodwill Grid is accepted, parts can be ordered, and the repair can proceed.

A quality inspection of all hinge mounting areas and panel seams should be completed to ensure all affected areas are addressed during a single visit. Any panel showing corrosion must be addressed. Collision Service Bulletin 31-001-24 outlines two primary reasons for panel replacement:

1. Pitting: Pitting found after sanding the affected area (Figure 1). If pitting is present, use Labor Operation (LOP) 23-75-XX-XX for up to 0.5 hours in conjunction with the 23-85 replacement LOP.
2. Seam Corrosion: Corrosion found on the seam of the panel (Figure 2). If corrosion is found here, the door shell will be replaced. No additional sanding in the hinge or seam area is supported. If corrosion is found in both hinge and panel seam areas, the entire panel should be replaced.

Labor Operations (LOPs) and Claim Processing

New Labor Operations (LOPs) have been developed to simplify the claim and estimating process for paint repairs and panel replacements. These new LOPs include allowances for painting, de-trimming, repair, blending, and removal/installation of seam sealer. For these specific repairs, measurements and the Repair vs Replace worksheet are no longer required. All other repairs will continue to follow Warranty Bulletin ID-20-21 Rev. A.

Panel repairs should no longer be submitted as sublet claims when completed by a third-party body shop. Instead, all parts and labor must be entered as a traditional repair to ensure maximum reimbursement. For these repairs, all claims should be submitted as a normal Warranty (W) claim with the following information:

• Technician ID: "none"
• Part(s) and materials: MATL
• Labor: Use new Labor Operations only
• RA attachments: Sublet invoice must be submitted with the claim and retained in the dealer's file. If the sublet bill is less than the claim amount, adjust the claim total in the "adjustment field" in Claim Entry.
• Photos: Include photos with the VIN and affected area.

Examples of new bundled LOPs include:

• 23-75-53-02: For repairing a front door hinge area, this LOP bundles all necessary labor operations. It covers 6.3 hours of labor and $171.17 in material costs.
• 23-85-53-11: For replacing a front door shell, this LOP also bundles all required labor operations. It covers 6.3 hours of labor and $283.36 in material costs.

Additional new LOPs are available for other affected panels, including single rear door, hood, tailgate, and windshield frame, for both repair and replacement scenarios. Please note that certain items are not reimbursable, such as hazardous material disposal fees, shop supplies, pre and post scans, cleaning/waxing, protective covers, fitting/aligning panels, resetting electronics, de-nib/polish, battery disconnection/reconnection, upgraded anti-corrosion/paint protection, body shop administrative fees, towing/storage, and any additional labor/parts not supported by the Collision Service Bulletin 31-001-24.

NHTSA ID: 10257321