warped brake rotors covered by warranty?

ur2goofy

I own a 1998 Grand Cherokee Tsi and have experienced the warped rotors caused by the fact the factory built these vehicles with rotors made of composite materials. I have read postings and believe some of you may have had this problem covered under a warranty program of one sort or another.
For myself, upon having the rotors and brake pads replaced (at 55,000 miles) I was informed by the dealership that 1)not only are the rotors not covered by any warranty, 2) they are not available in "all steel".
Any input from members regarding the warranty coverage or an upgrade for this item is appreciated.

zueslewis

the rotors are covered by recall #697 - check with your dealer.

I every other case, rotor warpage is usually covered only until 12,000 miles.

8u6hfd

Componsite brake rotors???? The only composite brake rotors I know of are Carbon-Carbon Matrix composite rotors, used primarily in racing. Main reason, they cost a few grand.

Rotors are technically a wear item, sometimes there is an initial warranty on some wear items, as previously Chrysler was replacing rotors on the LH cars under warranty for a number of years, as they were first introduced. But given the age of your jeep, it's not likely it would be covered anyway.

Take your Jeep to a brake shop, because they should be able to locate rotors for your jeep, specifically, cast iron rotors.

armtdm

Definitely if still under warranty. Otherwise, unless a TSB (which is not a recall and requires no free replacement) or recall there is not much you can do to get it covered unless you complained while it was still under warranty

zueslewis

and may cover the replacement. Bear in mind, recalls are VIN-specific, so it may not be covered.

Otherwise, go to a decent shop and get the rotors turned or replaced. If this is the first complaint of brake rotor warpage you've had and you're at 55,000 miles, considering today's non-heat absorbing brake pad material, it's a true miracle - count your blessings.

kkulig

I think the only shot you have at getting them replaced would be under the rotor recall that was issued for vehicles being operated in states (the rust belt) that dropped large quantities of salt in winter. And only if you live in one of the listed states.

I'm pretty sure that's the only one currently open for a 98 model. I could be wrong though, so you may want to run a recall search at www.nhtsa.dot.gov to be sure. DC has issued several TSB's over the years for the rotor problem. Maybe you still have some recourse here also. Again run a search on NHTSA.

The current rotor TSB that replaces both the rotors and calipers cover 99 through 02's built prior to 5-02. So this one wouldn't help you.

With the age/mileage on your's, you may be out of luck. If so, simply replace the rotors with any decent set of aftermarket rotors. That will take care of the problem once and for all... and at half the cost your dealer will charge you for another crappy set of MOPAR rotors.

Mr_Shiftright

55,000 is plenty of mileage for pads and rotors. You really don't have an entitlement to replacement, nor should you expect it, but if they give it to you under some special program, well fine and good for you!

I would say count your blessings, you've done better than many people.

sddlw

I just had a similar probelm with my Lexus ES300. The problem, according to my mechanic is that when the manufacturers were forced to remove asbestos from the brake pads (not a bad thing) the alternatives available today give you two choices. Softer pads used in many high performance cars, which tend to give off lots of black dust and eat up the rotors. For example, with a couple different MBs we had, we were replacing pads every 20k miles and replacing rotors every 2 or 3 sets of pads. Or the pads are made with metal or ceramic in them, which greatly improves pad life to 50K miles or more, creates little dust, but makes the rotors get much hotter than the other pads. The excess heat causes much greater incidence of rotor warping. My Lexus rotors warped at 27K miles. The pads were only half used up. Warping is such a problem that driving though a puddle of water with hot rotors can cause them to warp.

So what are you gonna do. Most manufacturers will not even cover rotors during the initial warranty period. ....At least it is not a terribly expensive fix. Most of the time the rotors can be machined. But even if they are toast, they are relatively inexpensive compared to other repairs.

swschrad

remember the one about GM drum brakes... they never die, they just fade away?

so I haven't been too cranky over it, it's another safety tax. can't do anything about it, whether you riot or not, so what the hay.