my 2020 chrysler pacifica is at a Chrysler dealership being serviced for rough shifting at low speeds. I bought the minivan certified pre-owned which extends the powertrain warranty to 100,000. I am told the TCM needs to be re-programmed and that the start/stop battery needs to be replaced. I ALWAYS have a fear of being lied to by dealership service technicians, and once again I believe they are lying to me again. Obviously, there are a lot of good repair techs with honest integrity, but the few bad apples have caused me a lifetime of fear. Nevertheless, they said the re-programming the TCM is NOT covered under the powertrain warranty because the rough shifting does not meet the criteria. I asked what that criteria was, and he told me that the ABS needs to be disabled and the brakes need to lock up or something like that. I felt like he was trying to put worry into me by throwing around acronyms and hoping I wouldn't fully grasp understanding. I told him that logic does not make sense. I told him that reprogramming the TCM ($379) should be covered because I was told that it could fix the problem. I said I needed to think about it and would call back. Then, the service rep called back and told me that I really need to replace the start/stop battery too because it could be the reason why my transmission is shifting rough. I told him that doesn't make sense. I approved for him to proceed with reprogramming the TCM because I feel like I am backed up against the wall with an issue that needs to be resolved and someone who has no problem lying to me.

anyway, my ultimate question is: does the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty cover reprogramming of the TCM?

 

I am not a Chrysler Tech however I would ask more questions of the dealer. If the TCM needs a reprogram/reflash something changed in the original program. This most likely generated a Service Bulletin or Campaign notice sent to the dealers, and should have been done as part of the "certified Pre- owned inspection. Ask for a copy of the document. Typically these services are covered as a "Customer Satisfaction" or Goodwill procedure. Ask to speak to the Zone Representative or maybe even put a call into "Chrysler Cares" I would fight it all the way and not pay for a tech to push a few buttons to solve the problem. Yes it costs time, but I would make billing you will consume more time than they can afford.
Just my $0.02