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How many of you have submitted your expenses to Chrysler for reimbursement?
Our van is less than 2 years old, about 40,000km and the rear brakes are done. I was hoping that we had gotten the "fixed" rear brakes, considering our June 2011 build date, but it appears not. The fronts have an "estimated" 50% left. It was around 3 years and 50,000km when we had to do front brakes on our last van, so I don't have a problem with them. They are a wear item unfortunately after all. The issue here is that these vans seem to be rear-biased for braking, so the rear brakes do most of the braking. However, there is obviously something wrong as they are willing to replace the calipers under warranty on the rear...
I got a call back yesterday from a very nice rep at Chrysler Canada. The rep said that they discussed it with the service manager at my dealer, and we should get close to 10,000km out of the rear brakes still. Apparently the average life for rear brakes is less than 38,000km. But she said to keep them posted. She also said that a lot of dealers in this area recommend the brake services every 1-1.5 years because of the salt and junk on the roads here.
38k for brakes is ridiculous IMO, and WAY TOO SHORT. These vans do most of their braking with the rear brakes, so I understand that they will go before the fronts will, but the fronts are at an estimated 40-50% as well. The front brake usage is normal to me (but that is with a front biased braking setup). The front brakes on my Caliber lasted me close to 5 years and 55,000km and that is mostly city driving. The rear brakes are drums, and so I've only cleaned them as they were squeaking. Our last van (an '07 with rear drums) had the front brakes last about 3 years and 50,000km.
It seems the front brakes on this van are going to be about the same, 3 years and 50-60,000km. But the rears are just garbage. Also, I guess that's why all the 2013+ vans have 17" wheels and bigger brakes now. (A Neighbour got a 2013 base model and I went and snuck a look at the tires this morning. They have 17" steel wheels and wheel covers now)
I still go back to the fact that there must be a problem back there for them to offer to warranty the rear calipers...
Our van is less than 2 years old, about 40,000km and the rear brakes are done. I was hoping that we had gotten the "fixed" rear brakes, considering our June 2011 build date, but it appears not. The fronts have an "estimated" 50% left. It was around 3 years and 50,000km when we had to do front brakes on our last van, so I don't have a problem with them. They are a wear item unfortunately after all. The issue here is that these vans seem to be rear-biased for braking, so the rear brakes do most of the braking. However, there is obviously something wrong as they are willing to replace the calipers under warranty on the rear...
I got a call back yesterday from a very nice rep at Chrysler Canada. The rep said that they discussed it with the service manager at my dealer, and we should get close to 10,000km out of the rear brakes still. Apparently the average life for rear brakes is less than 38,000km. But she said to keep them posted. She also said that a lot of dealers in this area recommend the brake services every 1-1.5 years because of the salt and junk on the roads here.
38k for brakes is ridiculous IMO, and WAY TOO SHORT. These vans do most of their braking with the rear brakes, so I understand that they will go before the fronts will, but the fronts are at an estimated 40-50% as well. The front brake usage is normal to me (but that is with a front biased braking setup). The front brakes on my Caliber lasted me close to 5 years and 55,000km and that is mostly city driving. The rear brakes are drums, and so I've only cleaned them as they were squeaking. Our last van (an '07 with rear drums) had the front brakes last about 3 years and 50,000km.
It seems the front brakes on this van are going to be about the same, 3 years and 50-60,000km. But the rears are just garbage. Also, I guess that's why all the 2013+ vans have 17" wheels and bigger brakes now. (A Neighbour got a 2013 base model and I went and snuck a look at the tires this morning. They have 17" steel wheels and wheel covers now)
I still go back to the fact that there must be a problem back there for them to offer to warranty the rear calipers...