OK, it's official...

[BHiggins]

I had an epiphany tonight... This truck is officially the BIGGEST PIECE OF CRAP I've ever owned. My 2008 has ONLY 21,434 miles on it, and already I've had 3 no starts, 2 factory recalls, the theft prevention had to be replaced, the radio doesn't work, I've had to replace BOTH batteries already, and now to top it all off, THE CLUTCH IS SLIPPING! Before anyone chimes in about driving style or operator error, keep in mind that I got well over 250,000 miles out of the original clutch in my first 1st Gen Dodge/Cummins. When I did replace it, it was only because the rear main seal was leaking and had contaminated the clutch with oil. My second 1st Gen truck had over 150,000 miles when I sold it and it was still going strong. This truck, with no trailer or weight in the bed is slipping like crazy. You guys know me, look at my profile and my past trucks. I've been a loyal Dodge/Cummins guy for DECADES, but this new 3rd Gen truck is nothing but junk. In 21k miles, I've had more problems with this truck than I've had with my last four trucks combined! I'm sorry for venting, but I feel that any new members should know what they're in for... I should have kept my old Dodge, or bought a Chevy. This thing is JUNK.

 

[SierraRam]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. It is amazing how different trucks can be, one being reliable and another being a lemon. You can go to Ford and Chevy forums and see the same thing. It is too bad yours is treating you so poorly.

 

[BHiggins]

The problem is I still love the truck. It's just that eventually you get so frustrated that you have to cut your losses... 21k miles out of a clutch, and the truck is RARELY pulling heavy. I'm as far as I can go with it, it's too much stress. I have ZERO faith in it at this point.

 

[BHiggins]

The clutch would be considered part of the "Power Train" right? The 3 year 36k warranty is probably up by a few weeks, but the 10 year 100k power train warranty should cover it correct? If not, anyone want a 2008 with 21k miles cheap? I think I owe around $22k on it, take over the payments and it's yours!

 

[ddivinia]

That blows - I am keeping my 2005 for a long time.

Lemon law it?

Get them to buy it back.

D.

 

[BHiggins]

I believe the lemon law only effects a car when you have a single recurring problem, I've had numerous DIFFERENT problems.

 

[HBarlow]

The clutch is generally considered a wear item like brake pads. I will be surprised if your dealer will warranty the clutch.

Perhaps it is the lousy dual mass flywheel assembly that is failing and I think that should not be considered a wear item. Dodge surely knows the dmf is a pos and failure prone but I've not heard of one failing with so few miles.

My '08 has 93k trouble free miles on it. It has only been back to a dealer for a software reflash.

 

[macdaddy]

We ran the VIN on my sons 08 and it showed that the clutch was replaced with only 5 thousand miles and we still bought it with 15 K on it. It also showed the the prior owner was a women?. I' dont know for sure if the clutch was replaced under warranty or not.



What I would do if I were you?



If you have to pay for the clutch I would'nt replace it with the same clutch (stock), but rather go ahead and do the DMF delete and regular clutch from a outfit like South Bend.



I believe they are reasonable and would save you the loss youll take by simply "launching" the dam thing. It sounds like the motor is alright. When we bought my sons we knew that the DMF/clutch may be an issue. He has already put 10K trouble free miles on it.



Your problems can be worked out.



My sons 08 is the same truck as your by the way.



Mac

 

[HHhuntitall]

IF anyone remembers, and obviously no one at Dodge did, Ford tried the Dual mass flywheels in their diesels back in the early '90s, and they were a monumental disaster as far as factory warranty issues and recalls. Apparently, Dodge thought they were smarter than Ford, but they weren't. Who would have guessed a dual mass flywheel, which wouldn't hold up in a natural aspirated V-8 diesel, wouldn't have held up behind a fire breathing, high compression, turbocharged, inline 6 cylinder?!? Shocking, I know..... :--)



I've got an '07 they voided my warranty on just after a year, because I wouldn't take it back to the dealer to get reflashed. A very rude lady called my dad on the phone, and when I called her back, she apparently was still having a bad day, so I made it worse. Of course, I wasn't about to take it back to the dealer, the nearest one being 2 1/2 hrs away, and have to explain the H & S Programming and the absence of specific dealer hardware. So, they just sent me a letter, voiding my warranty. Nice of Dodge, huh? And how can you complain about a government entity?:-laf



And I wouldn't jump the RAM ship just yet. It's the only one you don't have to put Urea in next year. While I may think their emission system is a pile of Donkey Kong Dung, the newer trucks are even worse!! And the independent front ends of the Chevy's are such a joke!! Let alone the injection problems!! And Ford?!?!? What a joke of a powerplant!! You'd want to shoot yourself in the end, although you'd want to be buried in the Ford Body and Frame... . which, if you try to keep it maintained, that's all the coffin you'll be able to afford!! Nice trucks, but if you could order them with a real powerplant, they'd dominate the market! Yes, it's true, they all have their problems, but the problems all keep getting worse!! I'm about to become a classic truck rebuilder, I think!! I just keep rebuilding them(89-06), and they just keep on trucking!! It's cheaper than buying a new one!! Hell, I can buy a good used Freightliner for less then a new truck!!!!#@$%! Oh, thanks TDR, by the way. Your collective knowledge has made my job easier.

 

[BHiggins]

Just got back from the dealer, and it's not under warranty... Big surprise. They want almost $2000. 00 to replace the factory clutch, for that kind of money I will be going the South Bend route. At this point I REALLY wish I had kept my old '92. It wasn't nearly as powerful as the 3rd gens, but it was absolutely reliable. I understand about the clutch being considered a "wear item", but with only 21k miles I can't help but feel shafted. I really feel they should do the right thing, but they won't. I'm terribly disappointed with Dodge right now.

 

[Bob4x4]

Wear items have been 12/12 for years now. I am sure the warranty book that came in the truck explains it. I am sure it doesn't make you feel any better but it is not up to the dealer... ... ... ... .

 

[BHiggins]

I have mixed feelings about that... On the one hand, I really wish Dodge would cover it. On the other hand, if they did, they would replace it with the same exact crappy clutch. At that point, I'd never trust it 100%. Since they didn't cover it, I'm going to swap out the poorly designed dual-mass setup for a South Bend with a ductile flywheel. Then, and only then, will I trust it again. The dealer wants $2000. 00 to do the clutch, it's going to cost me around $1700. 00 for the South Bend setup installed. That decision is a no-brainer.

 

[Regcabguy]

My '07's just hitting 30,000K with 34" tires,a constant load of 2,000# on it,and my Smarty on level sw #3,stock tm which probably helps. The transmission's the 0. 79 ratio,so that's probably helped. I'm on borrowed time,but no adverse effects yet. I actually think there is a big market out there for a better built dmf clutch. The transmission's silent and the clutch works perfectly. I called LUK and discussed making a beefier unit,and he agreed saying he'd pass it on to the engineers. Don't expect much though. Lools like an OFE when this one goes.

 

[Cosmo]

I would go ahead and do the South Bend clutch/flywheel, and call Dodge and speak with a regional rep. Maybe they could good-will you something to compensate for your expense.

 

[JMetzger]

I just looked in my warranty book for our 2010 Dodge Journey & brakes & clutch's have no warranty.

 

[Bob4x4]

I've got an '07 they voided my warranty on just after a year, because I wouldn't take it back to the dealer to get reflashed. A very rude lady called my dad on the phone, and when I called her back, she apparently was still having a bad day, so I made it worse. Of course, I wasn't about to take it back to the dealer, the nearest one being 2 1/2 hrs away, and have to explain the H & S Programming and the absence of specific dealer hardware. So, they just sent me a letter, voiding my warranty. Nice of Dodge, huh? And how can you complain about a government entity?:-laf

Would you warranty a product that the consumer refused you the right to inspect or give the needed updates:-laf



By the way these forums do get monitored so your H&S goodies may have been known

 

[BIGNASTY]

You should write Dodge a letter explaining that you put 400K miles on previous Rams, and at 21K miles, their clutch shouldn't go out and leave you shafted. Ask them nicely if they will reconsider.

Kind of like asking the HOOKER for a repeat customer discount dont you think

 

[CDonaldson]

Dodge is VERY aware of dual mass failures that are NOT the customers fault, back in 2006 they had TONS of them, there is a diagnosis process, and IF its the flywheel it IS covered under the 3-36 warranty. I know several people who had everything replaced under the 3-36.



I have 58K on my original clutch, it appears to be holding up fine and doing it's job without issues. I expect it to comtinue to perform well, but if it does go, I will be replacing it with either a SB or Valiar, and I am leaning toward the Valiar. Turthfully, I believe their hydro system is at the root of the problems, it is substandard.



BTW, this woman has over a million miles driving standard transmission trucks under her belt, there are a lot of us out there that drive standard trannys and don't tear them up. I know more men who replace clutches frequently than I do women that replace them. Every vehicle on my place is a standard transmission, close to two million miles of driving standards if all vehicles are taken into consideration. More often than not, I replace a stock clutch at about 120-150K.





CD

 

[BHiggins]

While I was there they did offer me a SWEET deal on a 2011, complete with a $29,500. 00 trade in on the '08... I was SO tempted. Then they told me it was only $27,500. 00 because the clutch was bad. I told them that if they want me to buy a new truck they would have to eat the clutch, then I walked out.

 

[HBarlow]

I would ask the manager why on earth you would buy a new one when they won't cover the clutch on a vehicle with 21K miles? I'd go up the ladder from the dealership, but if DC won't do anything, I'd walk away from the brand.

Are you joking?

Go and buy a Furd or GM because your clutch needs replacing?

Just think of the reliability issues one of those brands will provide.