Injury with Catalyst full, time to give back

[SBreaux]

I do want to thank everyone for their support and input. Just a quick note, I am not a sue type individual. Personal injury money or anything like that is not something we ever considered. My wife and I only want what we paid for.



These trucks being first year, or 100 years in production should at least have some reliability after being built one year, and hopefully were tested throughly before being offered to the public. Dodge could offer the "first" year vehicle at a reduced cost if Dodge needs the buying public as R/D associates.



I never expected perfection, just what a 50k truck should give a consumer, reliable transportation.



If someone truly wants to buy my truck, I would gladly sell them mine. I think if I can make a trade to reliable transportation, I will have to. There is no benefit in wondering if what is in the driveway will start, will it get me where I am going, or back should it get to its destination.



Who would knowingly put their child, spouse, or friend in anything that could leave them at anytime. As far out as examples could be, and still be true, what if we had be stranded on the interstate at night, and hit by another vehicle because the truck stopped, risking the lives of both vehicles at the Dodge excuse of being first year production. I don't know of anyone who would spend $50 much less $50,000 on any product that "may" work, or "maybe" not.



Hopefully no one ever experiences any of the mentioned examples.

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Start sending letters to the EPA and thanking them, be sure to notate the loss of economy.

 

[MLee]

Steve;

I to am sorry to hear of your injuries and the long walk home but was wondering if other transportation was available to get you back home, or some good samaritan would have taken you home in your condition?

I read that these engines were driven millions of miles before marketing, but were probably most all hiway and maybe no short stop and go as illustrated in your story, so they did not have the traps plug up as yours did. which brings to mind the what if-it had died at an intersection and you got rear ended? if there were enough of these happenings then the NHTS would be all over it. I under stand that it takes 35 incident reports to get these people to investigate safety related situations.

Good luck on your endeavors and a speedy recovery, And good long letter to the powers to be at Dodge.

Marv.

 

[DFeldman]

Steve: I am also sorry about the experience you have had with this truck. I have owned Dodge trucks for the last twenty years and found them to be very dependable. This truck is my first diesel and with just over 6,000 miles on it I have to say I love it.



While I agree with you that the truck should not come unable to do what you do with it, I think you might be an exception instead of the norm. You state that no one would put there family in an unreliable vehicle but that is what millions of people do every day. I don't care what you are driving, if it is mechanical it is undependable. Some are better than others I will admit, but this product has never left me stranded.



I also see people complaining about the fuel economy of these trucks and I can not really understand it. My last truck was a 98 1/2 ton with the 5. 2L gas engine. It was a club cab and two wheel drive 5 speed stick. The best mileage I ever got with it was 16. 5 MPG commuting to work. This truck gets that and has a tremendous amount of power, far more than the old truck. Power costs fuel, this truck is also twice the weight and has 4 wheel drive. I am very happy with the mileage considering what I bought.



Just my 2 cents.

 

[catoiler]

This truck is my first diesel[/B]

Well just going fom a gasser to a diesel is a big differance. The fuel millage issue is going trom a previous diesel that got 20+ mpg to say 14-16 or less is a problem. You on the other hand getting that kind of millage in a diesel after driving the gas pig is no big deal. thats where the millage complaints come from. many on here have been driving diesels for many years including myself and go to the 6. 7 and have problems from the start when their were no or little problems in the past trucks.

 

[sag2]

What is the description or ID of the latest reflash and when was it released?



I have been hearing about the CD now for months so I will believe it when I see it. #@$%! It's probably pretty difficult to finalize a CD when the content keeps changing... if you know what I mean.



If there are any Dodge Corporate Officers monitoring this website or someone on the inside of Dodge take note of what the customers are saying and wake up before it's too late. :-{}

The latest flashes are AW for 2007 trucks, AM for 2008.

I know the SRT engineers follow the various forums because they do "talk to the engineers" from time to time. I have never seen anything like that here or any other site. But I have to believe someone must be watching because this is a public site.

 

[dseabaugh]

I bought my wife a new suburban a few years back her first new vehicle. had many many problems with it. tried to get them to take it back. wouldn't do it. ( never pay cash for a vehicle again till I know it is ok) Lawyer said sue 'em so we did. $15,000 and 2 years later judge says Moss Magnasson Act gives them the right if the item in dispute has a warranty to attempt to repair or "tinker " with it up to 13 times before you have the right to sue. I had parked the suburban on the dealers lot and refused to drive it those 2 years. sold it with 11,000 miles on it. wife was so dissapointed in her first new vehicle that I bought her a Cadillac trying to up her spirits. nother piece of S#!^ car. Bought her a plymouth and she loved it 100,000 miles & 1 set of tires and battery plus normal service. Been dodges and Chryslers ever since. GM's rep testified in court that Cheverolets tolerances were plus or minus 3/4 of an inch. Judge even called him on it and he stuck with the story. Wife has told me many times ever since, If I buy another gm vehicle she will divorce me. Dealer's son told me in the showroom floor that they don't care about us, only the next customer in the door. the day I bought the suburban I also bought a new 10 wheeler and 4x4 pickup and paid cash for all of them. Shows how much they care. 10 wheeler was good except rear axle housings kept cracking and the PU was a piece of crap too that I kept 3 years and sold with 30,000 miles. bought a dodge and drove it 200,000 miles befre i bought the dodge I have now. Same dealer ( owner now since his dad died) just told my brother same thing when he went in with a complaint about his new 4 dr cab 4x4 dually diesel chev. 12th vehicle he bought there. Bro told me he has been an idiot 12 times apparently. Unless your state has good lemon laws you are screwed.

 

[SBreaux]

We have say....

I am sure I am older than some here (52), and younger than others. I'll bet though that the ones with experience, know what I am exposing here. Myself, I can buy anywhere, and from any dealer.



It is just a shame that we as the buying public are subject to "it is too much trouble" to make someone do right. I, myself, would be good to my family and friends (integrity), and know I did the best I could, than know I out right neglected the ones that matter.



This is not the first time this truck has had issues, not the second, or even the third. Maybe it is my turn to have some vehicle issues, but I cannot, and will not just give ~$50k, and be left to doubt, or watch my wife especially be hurt because of something we didn't have some control over. Yes, I guess at 5:30pm on a Sunday evening I could have gotten a cab, called a tow truck, maybe even thumbed a ride, but the fact remains we walked to our home in the ice and snow, and paid ~$50k for the privilege of doing it. We didn't like it, we both fell, but we did get home, later than we planned, hurt, and without the thanks of Dodge.



This is how things do not get changed when it is blindly accepted that this is the way it is suppose to be. It does not have to be this way. Maybe we will not get what should be the right thing to do by Dodge, but we can control if we let Dodge allow this to neglectfully happen again to us.

 

[rbattelle]

This is a tough story to read. .

It sure was. SBreaux, my heart goes out to you, and I think you're justifiably upset.

What in the world is going on with these 6. 7l engines? I'm rarely ever in this forum, but already I've seen a few threads that make my eyes water.

Has Cummins done us wrong after all these years?

Ironically, Cummins was elected "Newsmaker of the year" for 2007 by Diesel Progress, partially due to the new 6. 7l engine for our trucks.

Ryan

 

[Bob4x4]

I am sure I am older than some here (52), and younger than others. I'll bet though that the ones with experience, know what I am exposing here. Myself, I can buy anywhere, and from any dealer.



It is just a shame that we as the buying public are subject to "it is too much trouble" to make someone do right. I, myself, would be good to my family and friends (integrity), and know I did the best I could, than know I out right neglected the ones that matter.



This is not the first time this truck has had issues, not the second, or even the third. Maybe it is my turn to have some vehicle issues, but I cannot, and will not just give ~$50k, and be left to doubt, or watch my wife especially be hurt because of something we didn't have some control over. Yes, I guess at 5:30pm on a Sunday evening I could have gotten a cab, called a tow truck, maybe even thumbed a ride, but the fact remains we walked to our home in the ice and snow, and paid ~$50k for the privilege of doing it. We didn't like it, we both fell, but we did get home, later than we planned, hurt, and without the thanks of Dodge.



This is how things do not get changed when it is blindly accepted that this is the way it is suppose to be. It does not have to be this way. Maybe we will not get what should be the right thing to do by Dodge, but we can control if we let Dodge allow this to neglectfully happen again to us.

I understand how you feel but,Dodge has supplied you with an 800 number for free roadside assistance. Your choice to walk was your own,since it went bad,in hindsite you have most likely decided it was not the best choice. In Cali,it is always recommended to stay in the vehicle and wait for assistance not to walk along a roadway. Many different avenues could have been taken to end up with a better results.

As far as the Cummins end goes,they are working to find the flaws. You as well as many others I am sure have no idea how complex this new system is. Apparently the engineers could not know all the operating conditions our trucks would see and be able make them perform flawlessly in all of them. Many parts were outsourced,how much control does Dodge or Cummins have in their quality control ?

Know also that the dealers are at the mercy of the corporation. Warranty coverages,tech training,policies and procedures are all from the corporation,not the dealer.

In recent years,partially due to sites like this one the consumers expect at cost or near cost deals. Does this situation help a dealer make enough profit to be able to afford giving better service? Look at the big picture,not just your own situation. All states have a Lemon law in place if your truck fits the definition go for it. It seems like you have the feeling some one did this to you.

Look at it like another life experience,deal with it and move on.





Bob

 

[betterthanstock]

You may have a better chance swapping it for an identical HEMI and getting a refund for the diesel option.

Diesels and short trips (less than 10 miles) are a bad combination. You really need an electric vehicle, with trips that short.



Click these links:



Vehicles



Trucks

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

No matter what model of Dodge Cummins driven going back to the original, predominately taking short trips will take a toll after awhile. Many on this board do use their trucks for short commuting distances, but the importance of taking the truck on a long drive at highway speeds at least once every 2 weeks has been emphasized many times.

 

[SBreaux]

Bob4x4,

Dodge dealership never gave me an 800 Dodge number, but if it works like their truck I shouldn't expect much if anything. Also as this was purchased to be my daily driver that tries to accumlimate more than 1. 3 mile trips daily, it left me 68 highway miles from home today. It is now 2:31am central time, and I was lucky enough to get a ride ride back since late this afternoon.

No I don't feel any sorrow for Dodge, after all they have the say when the truck is ready for market. Dodge has all the say on how it is built. Making Dodge's engineering problems mine, just isn't my problem. I would be willing to bet any amount of money that not a single person here bought their truck to have it leave them somewhere, stay at the dealership weekly, or spend extra money and time taking long trips because that is what is what is needed to make a truck run at $3. 50 a gallon reliably. The dealer could always quit selling Dodge trucks and then the problem of being at the mercy of Dodge would be eliminated. I just made the mistake and purchased unwisely. I sure hope the over 2000 views on this post has saved someone from the same pain and suffering.

 

[Jeepstang]

Sbreaux, I do feel your pain, I would feel the same way if I were you. Did it die again last night for the same problem?

you may want to bring it to another dealership to get another opinion maybe something is being missed. Again I would find out where and how to get your fuel tested to see if it is ULSD and up to specs. why some have issues and some do not is a mystery to me possibly different flash versions. I only purchase my fuel from well known brand name stations. I have yet to see a generic station have even sell ULSD. I mostly run Sunoco since all of them seem to have it. the only other station in my area that has it is Exxon and most of the exxons to not have it around here. if they all get it from the same truck maybe some are getting LSD and not ULSD.

none of the Shell stations in my area have anything but #2 Diesel which do not have the ULSD label on the pumps.

i bet it would cost less for a fuel sample than your time and trouble bringing it to the dealership all the time

 

[RVTRKN]

Do not buy any new diesel even a 18 wheeler, they all have DPF, if your only going to drive it 2 miles a day and then 65 miles every mo. Good luck with GM DMAX they have a great track record just ask any dealer (humor), drove one for 25K before the DPF and what a POS.



dseabaugh; MY old boss had a Suburban, 90 MY I think, and when we both towed to Lake Mead, same weight, he could not keep up with my 94 Ram 2500HD 360 gasser on the grades and his was a 454. He was so mad they tore down the engine and found the timing off by one tooth, but he still bought another, and had issues with my worktruck (05 DMAX) for some reason he is still buying GM. Maybe why I quit, he seemed to have blinders on.



SBreaux; Be carefull, you might get what you wish for. Look on The Diesel Place.com (GM) and you will see the same complaints. Call Washington and ***** at them, some how I think they wont care either.

 

[BHolm]

Bob4x4,



Dodge dealership never gave me an 800 Dodge number, but if it works like their truck I shouldn't expect much if anything. Also as this was purchased to be my daily driver that tries to accumlimate more than 1. 3 mile trips daily, it left me 68 highway miles from home today. It is now 2:31am central time, and I was lucky enough to get a ride ride back since late this afternoon.



No I don't feel any sorrow for Dodge, after all they have the say when the truck is ready for market. Dodge has all the say on how it is built. Making Dodge's engineering problems mine, just isn't my problem. I would be willing to bet any amount of money that not a single person here bought their truck to have it leave them somewhere, stay at the dealership weekly, or spend extra money and time taking long trips because that is what is what is needed to make a truck run at $3. 50 a gallon reliably. The dealer could always quit selling Dodge trucks and then the problem of being at the mercy of Dodge would be eliminated. I just made the mistake and purchased unwisely. I sure hope the over 2000 views on this post has saved someone from the same pain and suffering.

First off, Did your new truck come with an owners manual? That is where you can find the 800 number. Just because the dealer didn't put an 800 number sticker on your forehead doesn't mean you didn't get it.



Second, sounds like this isn't your first truck. Have you noticed over the decades, that first year models by ANY if not all manufacturers tend to have teething problems. I know I considered it and purposely bought an '06 5. 9 because of it. This is called due dilligence, nobody held a gun to your head and made you spend your $50k on this truck. Heck, all I did was look under the hood and under the truck. That told me right off, somebody, or a lot of someboy's were going to be guinea pigs for Dodge.



Learn something from this rather than blame somebody.

 

[Bob4x4]

Bob4x4,



Dodge dealership never gave me an 800 Dodge number, but if it works like their truck I shouldn't expect much if anything. Also as this was purchased to be my daily driver that tries to accumlimate more than 1. 3 mile trips daily, it left me 68 highway miles from home today. It is now 2:31am central time, and I was lucky enough to get a ride ride back since late this afternoon.



No I don't feel any sorrow for Dodge, after all they have the say when the truck is ready for market. Dodge has all the say on how it is built. Making Dodge's engineering problems mine, just isn't my problem. I would be willing to bet any amount of money that not a single person here bought their truck to have it leave them somewhere, stay at the dealership weekly, or spend extra money and time taking long trips because that is what is what is needed to make a truck run at $3. 50 a gallon reliably. The dealer could always quit selling Dodge trucks and then the problem of being at the mercy of Dodge would be eliminated. I just made the mistake and purchased unwisely. I sure hope the over 2000 views on this post has saved someone from the same pain and suffering.

Had you done the right thing ,read your owners manual as you should do with any complex machine,or in your words a 50k investment you would have known all about the road side assistance that is part of your 50 k price tag. :-{} At 52 years old I would have thought you would be wise enough to do a bit of research before your 50k went to a lowly Dodge pick-up

Quit crying over spilled milk,go buy the new diesel pick-up from some other company,that will solve all your problems



Bob

 

[JHersh]

First off, Did your new truck come with an owners manual? That is where you can find the 800 number. Just because the dealer didn't put an 800 number sticker on your forehead doesn't mean you didn't get it.



Second, sounds like this isn't your first truck. Have you noticed over the decades, that first year models by ANY if not all manufacturers tend to have teething problems. I know I considered it and purposely bought an '06 5. 9 because of it. This is called due dilligence, nobody held a gun to your head and made you spend your $50k on this truck. Heck, all I did was look under the hood and under the truck. That told me right off, somebody, or a lot of someboy's were going to be guinea pigs for Dodge.



Learn something from this rather than blame somebody.

Well said BHolm- while we all know that a product should not be released to the consuming public until that product is "tried and true", we also know that the only way for a new product and/or model to become "tried and true" is for that new product to be "on the street" in all applications and the product will be adjusted/fixed according to feedback. This is why I am still affraid to buy a CTD later than 98. 5- HA!:-laf just kiddin'



SBreaux- while I don't necessarily agree w/ your choice of TRUCK per application, I realize it is your right to drive and own anything you want. I think if you can bear w/ it, DC and/or Cummins will eventually fit that emissions compliant engine to every application -even yours- they usually do. The best to your wife, I hope she is better soon.



Also note- every manufacturer is dealling w/ these problems. I manage a fleet of 40 plus heavy haul tractors and tandem dump trucks and the big boys are feelin' the pain too. These new emissions were federally mandated and engine manufacturers had to do it. They released what they had - it was either that or not sell anything (here's another American right-the engines do meet necessary standards and are compliant as well as safe to public). Believe me, from what I have seen, from the small ISB up the ISX, Cummins has the edge and will have in 2010 -ah yes another mandate.

 

[SBreaux]

Bob4x4....quote from Dodge on Roadside assitance

"Not available on SRT, Diesel vehicles, Sprinter, Ram Chassis Cab, and certain fleet vehicles. ON PURCHASES BEGINNING 7/26/07"... ...

 

[Bob4x4]

Really ?

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