[Gee.S]

I bought a one year old 2020 JL in June 2021. Vehicle as purchased was equipped with a Rough Country winch, 35s, Rough Country 3.5" lift kit, and more.

A couple of brackets (part of the lift kit) responsible for repositioning a control arm broke on the passenger side of my vehicle. I called Rough Country and was surprised to hear that the lift kit warranty is void, since I am not the original owner. The bracket kit costs $100.

I saw the following (and more) by clicking the Lifetime Warranty link on the RC Website.

Hard Suspension Components
Lifetime Replacement Warranty

Leaf & Coil Springs
5 Year Manufacturer's Warranty

Shocks & Stabilizers
3 Year Manufacturer's Warranty

Nothing about "original owner". The vehicle is three years old, so the lift kit no more than that. There is nothing on the RC website suggesting that the warranty is now void, yet this is what I was told.

Another section reports the following:

We are confident in the quality of our products, but we understand that sometimes new-model owners are hesitant to lift their vehicle due to the terms of their warranty. Rough Country's Warranty Guard has you covered - even when your manufacturer doesn't. This free protection supplements your manufacturer's warranty, guaranteeing that if you are denied repair due to having a Warranty Guard protected product on your vehicle, then Rough Country will foot the bill for your repair! For up to 5 years / 100K miles / or until your manufacturer's warranty ends, if there is a failure of a factory warranty-covered part due to installation of our suspension product, we will cover the repairs at a factory authorized shop - all you pay is a $100 deductible! Please read the terms of our program to see eligibility and terms.

Jeep doesn't void warranties because the vehicle changes hands, so why should Rough Country? And again, I see nothing on the RC website suggesting that my warranty is in fact void.

Any comments or opinions? I like RC components and I like the company, though I'm starting to like them less than I once did.

 

[Roadijeff]

Actually, I believe Jeep does void warranties if the vehicle is sold. I have a Mopar MaxCare lifetime warranty on my 2018 GC. If I sell it, the warranty does not transfer to a second owner.

That may not be the case in FL or NC. I know they have some different guidelines for extended warranties. However, they also pay full price when they buy them - no discount allowed.

 

[Gee.S]

Neither Jeep nor any other auto manufacturer voids factory warranties in this country due to a change of ownership. Extended warranties such as Mopar Maxcare (actually insurance policies) can, and most probably do.

 

[Factoryhack]

I bought a one year old 2020 JL in June 2021. Vehicle as purchased was equipped with a Rough Country winch, 35s, Rough Country 3.5" lift kit, and more.

A couple of brackets (part of the lift kit) responsible for repositioning a control arm broke on the passenger side of my vehicle. I called Rough Country and was surprised to hear that the lift kit warranty is void, since I am not the original owner. The bracket kit costs $100.

I saw the following (and more) by clicking the Lifetime Warranty link on the RC Website.



Nothing about "original owner". The vehicle is three years old, so the lift kit no more than that. There is nothing on the RC website suggesting that the warranty is now void, yet this is what I was told.

Another section reports the following:


Jeep doesn't void warranties because the vehicle changes hands, so why should Rough Country? And again, I see nothing on the RC website suggesting that my warranty is in fact void.

Any comments or opinions? I like RC components and I like the company, though I'm starting to like them less than I once did.

Your attachment from their website clearly states “Rough Country warranty programs only apply to the original purchaser and will not apply to used or secondhand purchasers.”

 

[Gee.S]

OK, that was there all along, and I missed it. I again, quote from their warranty page:

We are confident in the quality of our products, but we understand that sometimes new-model owners are hesitant to lift their vehicle due to the terms of their warranty. Rough Country's Warranty Guard has you covered - even when your manufacturer doesn't. This free protection supplements your manufacturer's warranty, guaranteeing that if you are denied repair due to having a Warranty Guard protected product on your vehicle, then Rough Country will foot the bill for your repair! For up to 5 years / 100K miles / or until your manufacturer's warranty ends, if there is a failure of a factory warranty-covered part due to installation of our suspension product, we will cover the repairs at a factory authorized shop - all you pay is a $100 deductible! Please read the terms of our program to see eligibility and terms.

Where is the confidence in the quality of their products here? Why does that quality erode when a nearly new vehicle is sold to a second owner? I am now in a position in which, by their own admission, their product may conflict with the manufacturer's warranty, but I'm on my own? This vehicle is only three years old, still under manufacturer's warranty, and would still be under Rough Country's own warranty -- except for the small detail that I am the vehicle's second owner.

 

[Factoryhack]

OK, that was there all along, and I missed it. I again, quote from their warranty page:



Where is the confidence in the quality of their products here? Why does that quality erode when a nearly new vehicle is sold to a second owner? I am now in a position in which, by their own admission, their product may conflict with the manufacturer's warranty, but I'm on my own? This vehicle is only three years old, still under manufacturer's warranty, and would still be under Rough Country's own warranty -- except for the small detail that I am the vehicle's second owner.

I would assure your factory warranty is still valid, (mostly).

If a warranty covered failure were to occur, someone, likely the dealer, will have to determine if the lift kit is related to the failure or not. For example, if a fuel injector failed, they're not going to turn you down. If a u-joint fails, well, you'd likely be on your own.

That's the rub with modifying vehicles while they're still under warranty. You're exposing yourself to unnecessary expense.

As you're finding out, aftermarket companies are very hit and miss as to their quality and consumer friendliness.

 

[222Doc]

Made in china bottom of the list . You want quailty? People buy a china lift do to cost. can be half or less in cost.

Funny people spend 50k+ on a jeep then, replace its suspension with stuff that is questionable.

 

[Gee.S]

Made in china bottom of the list . You want quailty? People buy a china lift do to cost. can be half or less in cost.

Funny people spend 50k+ on a jeep then, replace its suspension with stuff that is questionable.

"Bottom of the list" may be a bit harsh, I'm sure there is plenty worse than Rough Country out there, but perhaps my expectation of top line warranty support from a mid-level company is a bit much to ask.

 

[JoonHoss]

...perhaps my expectation of top line warranty support from a mid-level company is a bit much to ask.

Expectation of ANY warranty support from them is too much to ask, as they clearly (in bold) state there is none:

This is not even remotely unusual for aftermarket parts, or even new products...

The warranty applies to the original purchaser. That's their policy. They've done nothing wrong, and they clearly stated it.

Hoss

 

[Boojo35]

When I bought my 94 from the PO, it came with new RC springs that had never left his garage. I do not even know how he got the rears installed. Damn, the arch and length was off that bad to where the shackles on the rears layed all the way forward and resting on the frame. It had never been on the road one minute.

I was the new owner, not the original purchaser. I was told to pound salt when I called RC even though this stuff never went even a mile on the road.

It makes good business sense. They sell garbage. They stay in business. They can only do so by selling inferior products that lead new Jeep owners into their first phase of lift ittis on the cheap. They can only remain in business doing so by not backing their chinese junk.

Guys see that I can lift my Jeep cheap..... That is all they see and against other good advice.

They have been successful for a long time and their lack of warranty helps them to keep selling their cheap stuff without going broke.

Not exclusive to the Jeep world by any means. Lots of folks buy a 4wd. They want it lifted and on big tires. Many want the track width widened also just to make it look tough.

It is commonly accomplished by buying the cheapest combo of stuff available and being pleased as a peach because they met the standard of the "look" and status of what they wanted. Not how it rides or performs. Not how much they pay their chiropractor in return. JS.