For those familiar with car warranties, is it common to essentially declare the cost to repair greater than the value of the vehicle and 'buy out' the warranty? Wife has a lifetime warranty on a Dodge Journey that has had miscellaneous transmission issues for the years (2015 model). Nothing major but very annoying. Engine would want to try to 'stall' when decelerating at lower speeds causing the transmission to go 'clunk'. Recently it was getting really bad so took it into the dealership as part of the warranty. After much checking/analysis (no engine codes have ever been found) they decided it was the fuel pump. That helps but now they are finding metal in the transmission fluid. Recommends transmission replacement. Dealership takes it up to Chrysler corporate and they say they won't repair but offer instead to 'buy out' the warranty (for about $500 under the cost of transmission replacement). Is this a common practice? Sounds like typical insurance mind set when it deals with repairs. A bit frustrated right now.
SV Coug