There are several key factors when reading this. I wish I could copy/paste and highlight on my phone but I can't so I'll do my best to explain.
The first factor is the first definition of what qualifies you for cash or trade. Which is 3 "transmission-related complaints" on or before the notification date (11/16/18).
It then immediately defines a transmission-related complaint, in bold, which does not mention a dealer verifying the problem. It then it shows the table to map out the payments. FULL STOP. If you took it in 3 or more times you get the payout based on the table.
Everything after that pertains to what to do if you made complaints AFTER 11/16/18.
To provide clarity. This is direct from the settlement page.
If you can show that you made at least three (3) transmission-related complaints on or before November 16, 2018, you may submit subsequent transmission-related complaints that are made to a FCA US dealership after that date. These will be counted as transmission-related complaints for purposes of determining benefits, but only as follows: (i) all documented transmission-related complaints that a FCA US dealership verifies in writing as a condition which it was able to reproduce or otherwise attests to be a valid complaint; and (ii) one documented but unverified transmission-related complaint made to a FCA US dealership, meaning your complaint was not duplicated or otherwise found to be valid by a FCA US dealership.
It states that IF you made 3 complaints before 11/16/18 (we are still under the established definition of a complaint in bold at this point, which requires no dealer verification) you MAY include SUBSEQUENT complaints submitted AFTER that date. It then states that "THESE complaints will be counted" and then goes on to define dealer verification. "These" is referring to the "subsequent" complaints made AFTER the date, which fall under a different definition of a transmission-related complaint and involve dealer verification.
See my above
direct quote from the settlement page. Yes, if you complained of a transmission issue before ( with documentation ) you can add complaints
after that date. All 6 must be verified however. A copy of said complaint, without the dealer saying they too found a problem, is an unverified complaint.
So in essence, what they are saying is that ANY complaint before the date counts. IF you made at least 3 before the date (which puts you in the payout category) then you can up your total of complaints IF the subsequent (after 11/16/18) complaints meet the criteria of having been verified by the dealer.
Wrong ! A complaint that is not verified only counts towards your one complaint of an unverified issue. Not ANY complaint before said date.
I'll put the exact wording here again.
all documented transmission-related complaints that a FCA US dealership verifies in writing as a condition which it was able to reproduce or otherwise attests to be a valid complaint.
If you read the actual court case, the plaintiffs provide multiple examples of evidence that FCA knew there were "defects" (court document wording not mine)in the design of the ZF9. Things like delaying the launch to car review groups because of known transmission problems. So customers with early problems aren't required to have the dealer verify the problem because FCA already admitted to the problem based on the evidence presented. The requirement for dealer verification is only in place to keep people who already qualify for a payout from receiving the notice and running to the dealer 3 more times to try to up their payout from $800 to $2000. But if you did take it in after the date, and the problem is verified, you can still qualify for more money.
I did not read the court case, so an admission of guilt by FCA is an unknown to me, at this point.
I know FCA/Chrysler said they had software/programming issues and wanted to change that before release. I never heard of a defect in the actual transmission.
Again, reread the requirement for verification.
If you had at least 3
verified complaints before the cut-off date, further complaints that
are verified do count.
Otherwise you need 6 complaints, in total that the dealer said they can reproduce and verify.
Bottom line. The warranty extension is for one year, 6 total, or 100,000 miles ... TOTAL.
Most of us have close to that now in mileage terms.
If I were to submit a claim, I would take the cash.
In all fairness, I will say I did take back our 200 for several checks of the transmission. Nothing was verified ( no faults ) and I was satisfied the transmission was acting and performing
as designed. The service writer stated on the repair order the transmission "experienced no issues".