2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator Corrosion Warranty Update

Jeep has issued Warranty Bulletin D-23-04 (Rev. G), dated December 11, 2024, to simplify the corrosion warranty claim process for 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2021-2024 Jeep Gladiator (JT) vehicles. This bulletin updates repair timing, adds 2024 model year vehicles, and streamlines the process for corrosion warranty claims, especially for paint repairs and replacements related to filiform corrosion.

For vehicles currently covered by an active corrosion warranty, the bulletin states that Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) pre-approval, measurement requirements, and the Repair vs. Replace worksheet are no longer necessary for claim support. This significantly simplifies the process for addressing a Jeep Wrangler corrosion warranty issue.

Important Warnings and Owner Information

Owners should be aware of specific conditions regarding their corrosion warranty claims, particularly concerning the documentation of the issue and the timing of repairs:

• Expired Warranty - No Valid Documentation: If your corrosion warranty has expired and you do not possess valid documentation of the corrosion concern from when the warranty was active, you "will need to participate with the repair costs as outlined by the Warranty Goodwill Grid." In this scenario, the dealership will follow a specific process, and you will be responsible for your portion of the repair cost.
• Expired Warranty - With Valid Documentation: If you have valid documentation describing the corrosion concern from when the corrosion warranty was valid, the repair is likely to be completed without a copay. Dealerships will evaluate and "Accept" the outcome of the Goodwill Grid result without charging the customer.
• VDI Pre-Approval for Expired Warranty Claims: Even with valid documentation for an expired warranty, the dealership must still submit a pre-authorization request via the Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) process to verify the images of the panels show filiform corrosion. If everything does not fit within the Digital Imaging portal, it must be emailed to [email protected] with the subject "VIN and Dealer Code".
• Claim Submission Timeline: If a warranty claim is submitted after 90 days from the pre-authorization approval date, the dealership will need to add a narrative to the claim stating that the repair was previously approved by VDI.
• Hinge Replacement: For corrosion issues related to hinges, a redesigned hinge with a new gasket has been created. These "hinges MUST be replaced as a set (upper and lower per component)" to ensure a visual match. However, "Do not replace the hinges on the other doors if no signs of corrosion is found."
• Sanding Limitations: For corrosion found on the seam of a panel, "No additional sanding in the hinge or seam area is supported." If corrosion is found in both hinge areas and on the edges or bottoms of panels, the entire panel should be replaced.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

This bulletin addresses corrosion concerns, specifically filiform corrosion, which may manifest as pitting after sanding or corrosion found on panel seams. Dealers are instructed to perform a quality inspection of all hinge mounting areas and panel seams to identify any corrosion.

For diagnosis, dealers will need to take clear photos of the affected areas. These photos "MUST include the VIN and affected body panel." The VIN can be included via a sticky note, grease pen, a copy of the Repair Order, or masking tape in the photo.

Repair Procedure Summary

New Labor Operations (LOPs) have been developed to simplify the claim and estimating process for corrosion repairs. For these specific repairs, measurements and the Repair vs. Replace worksheet are no longer required, meaning "these repairs do not require pre-approval."

The repair process involves painting, de-trimming, repair, and blending for individual panel repairs/replacements, as well as the removal and installation of seam sealer. For hinge-related corrosion, redesigned hinges are installed as a set. If pitting is found during sanding, or corrosion is present on a panel seam, specific replacement LOPs are to be used.

Required Parts and Labor Operations

This bulletin introduces new Labor Operations (LOPs) that bundle all necessary steps for corrosion repair, including detrimming, repair, and refinishing. Dealers will now use a single LOP to cover the complete repair for specific panels.

For example, LOP 23-75-53-02 is used for repairing a front door hinge area. This LOP, listed as 23755302 (Panel, Front Door;JL/JT Single Front Door Repair), covers 6.3 hours of labor and $171.17 in material.

For a complete front door shell replacement, LOP 23-85-53-11 (23855311 - Panel, Front Door;JL/JT Complete Replacement) is used, covering 6.3 hours of labor and $283.36 in material.

Additional LOPs are provided for other affected panels:

• Repair LOPs:
  • Single Front Door: 23755302 (6.3h, $171.17)
  • Single Rear Door: 23755402 (5.8h, $146.69)
  • Hood: 23752111 (6.6h, $271.04)
  • Tailgate: 23753702 (6.1h, $228.86)
  • Windshield Frame: 23751002 (7h, $189)
• Replacement LOPs:
  • Single Front Door: 23855311 (6.3h, $283.36)
  • Single Rear Door: 23855411 (5.5h, $233.24)
  • Hood: 23852112 (6.7h, $389.43)
  • Tailgate: 23853711 (5.7h, $378.21)
  • Windshield Frame: 23851011 (5h, $89.24)

Claim Processing Details

Dealers will no longer submit panel repairs as a sublet claim when performed by a third-party body shop. Instead, all parts and labor should be entered as a traditional repair. Claims should be submitted as a normal Warranty (W) claim with the following information:

• Technician ID: "none"
• Part(s) and materials: MATL
• Labor: 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: With the VIN and affected area.

It's important to note that certain items are not reimbursable, including hazardous material disposal fees, shop supplies, pre and post scans, cleaning/waxing/sanitizing supplies, protective covers or storage bags, fitting/aligning panels, resetting electronics/memory functions, de-nib and polish, disconnecting/reconnecting the battery, upgraded anti-corrosion/paint protection, body shop administrative fees, towing/storage fees, and any additional labor, parts, or services not supported by Collision Service Bulletin 31-001-24.

NHTSA ID: 10255301 ```