Chrysler response to Dead Pedal

[Bill]

I am still fighting with the dealer over the dead pedal issue. Well that and the transmission with its clunking and then rotten mileage. This afternoon I called Chrysler to open a formal claim, which they did. Their reply was; "that's strange, we haven't heard from anybody else who is having this problem." I gave them the link to this site and told the guy to go on it and read about all the others who are having the same problem.

I told this guy that my dead pedal has become so bad that I am not driving my truck. The truck goes to the dealer (again) on the 7th of this month. Chrysler said to call them when they finished working on it. Informed this guy that I have been to the dealer so many times that I do qualify, under the Lemon Law, to force them to give me a different truck and if that truck was doing the same thing then I would ask for another one. His reply was; "Well I don't think you have to go that far. Let us try to help you with this problem." I told him "well you must have a new department set up that can ensure customer satisfaction because I've never received any help in the past from you after owning 13 new vehicles in the last two+ years."

This issue is not going away. Chrysler, if they had any common sense, would put out a recall simply based on this forum. I additionally filed a complaint with the National Traffic Safety Board. It was posted on their site. Sad to say but I think a death will have to happen with this problem before anybody decides to do something.

To just sum this up. Here I have a brand new 2500 Dodge that is just sitting in my shop, which I am NOT going to drive until I can be assured the problem can be completely resolved. I also have a wife that is upset because I will not pull our new travel trailer so we can go camping. I'm not about to put our lives and the lives of others in danger. I am seriously looking at chevy's and Fords. However, having to pay, for the best Ford diesel is $67,000. The next one down from the best is $61,000+. Chevy is in the mid to high range of $58,000+. I could probably find a really nice used 2013 Dodge and not even come close to paying those prices.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Please keep us posted. Even if you do switch over to the dark side, us on the right side would like to know what the overall outcome may be.

I've test driven a few 2014 trucks and all of those had the 'dead pedal'. I was able to control by gently rolling into the throttle but this doesn't work for everyday driving. Especially during evasive maneuvering.

Glad you piped up on the NHTSA site. All of the owners need to write a report.

 

[Regcabguy]

I wonder why they build so much torque management into it?
Would a reflash cure the issue?

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'm not so sure it's a TQ management problem but I could be wrong.

If it was related to the massive torque, wouldn't the 'dead pedal' be consistent all of the time?

Im starting to wonder if this is an area where all of the electronics overload at once and nothing can compute for a split second. Sorta of like our PC's that lock from time to time where we have to wait for the PC to catch up or the infamous- control, alt, delete scenario.

 

[Bill]

Well if I did switch, it would only be after considering all the pro's and con's. And then factor in the prices they want.

You gave me a great idea. Knowing the owner of this dealership, he will let me test drive some of the remaining 2014's. IF I can duplicate the problem by having a mechanic or the ser. mgr. with me, then that should be ample evidence something is wrong.

Evasive maneuvering? Wow wouldn't that be wonderful IF we had time to do that. I've avoided many crashes simply by pure luck. Yes, it would be nice to have everybody call Chrysler and file a formal complaint. Get a claim number and THEN take that to the service mgr. Funny to see their mouth fall open and lost for words. Also if you feel you qualify for the Lemon Law, let Chrysler and the ser. mgr. know that. Even tell them you have filed a complaint with NHTSA.

 

[Bill]

Just my .02 but it appears all they want to do when you have problems is to re-flash. I hate a re-flash. It always screws up something on the info screen or other electrical things.

Engineers listening. That would be a dream come true.

 

[DonFitzwater]

They did the same thing on my challenger that used to start itself up in my garage at all hours of the night. Named her "Christine" and I told them to keep her until it was fixed. Chrysler paid a monthly note as they had it 45 days to replace the module that was failing (WCM I believe)

Tell your dealer to keep it until it's resolved. Once Chrysler is making the note, things will start to happen. This is my advice.

I will also fill out a report with safe car.gov

 

[rrl989]

My 98' 12V was a true dead pedal and I drove it safely for 16 yrs as the heavy DRW truck that it was.
I drive my 14' the same way and I've slipped off that tiny go pedal a few times and found the dead pedal scenario.
Hard to believe OP won't drive the Ram because of this, but maybe there are varying degrees of dead pedal?
What driving situations are we creating by not compensating for possible accerleration delay? If all Rams perform the same,
I don't see any future recall.

 

[DonFitzwater]

My 98' 12V was a true dead pedal and I drove it safely for 16 yrs as the heavy DRW truck that it was.
I drive my 14' the same way and I've slipped off that tiny go pedal a few times and found the dead pedal scenario.
Hard to believe OP won't drive the Ram because of this, but maybe there are varying degrees of dead pedal?
What driving situations are we creating by not compensating for possible accerleration delay? If all Rams perform the same,
I don't see any future recall.

Have you been towing anything when the dead pedal happened? Not fun.

 

[Bill]

I would love to do that with this dealer. Did it with a GMC dealer and they just parked my truck outside. It was there every day I drove by. No work was being done on it because they told their district rep that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Truck. It was GMC's first diesel. It sounded like a 50 caliber machine gun while driving it and went through more diesel than a Sailor going through beer.

With my current truck, current dealer/service manager, they would make some little attempt at fixing things but if I gave them the Key FOB and said I was leaving it on their lot, I have no doubt they would call a tow truck and have it hauled off. I think the key to solving any problem is to simply keep calling the manufacture.

Tks for filling out that report. If you don't mind, I would still contact Chrysler.

 

[rrl989]

Have you been towing anything when the dead pedal happened? Not fun.

No towing, just haul a heavy 5K truck camper at max GVWR. I adjust my driving style to allow for any
acceleration issue (turbo lag/dead pedal/etc.) so that I don't put myself or someone else in harms way.

 

[Wingate]

can someone accurately describe the "dead pedal" issue you are referring to?
I would love to know more about it and what situations it is most likely to occur

 

[dusturbd]

I have tried and tried to make my 14 have this dead pedal but it has always just worked the way it should. Guess I got a good one.

 

[SnoKing]

Dusturbd.

Do you have your exhaust brake off?

Someone in another thread thinks it is relate to the EB. If the collar is slow to come back out of braking position, then the computer might hold up go power until it knows the variable tubro is ready for that?

Snoking

 

[Bill]

Tis to bad that we have to adjust our driving habits because the dealership/Chrysler refuses to believe we indeed had a dead pedal issue~

 

[sag2]

I have never experienced the concern you are talking about, and no one has ever mentioned it to me. How often does it do it? If it is consistent ask that they install a data recorder and you can capture an event. Have you ever demonstrated it to anyone at the dealer? If it is such a concern it should be very easy to get the data. Just FYI I Googled Ram diesel dead pedal and didn't get anything but the TDR posts. Seems odd as some of the other forums are quick to jump on any problem someone notices.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I have never experienced the concern you are talking about, and no one has ever mentioned it to me. How often does it do it? If it is consistent ask that they install a data recorder and you can capture an event. Have you ever demonstrated it to anyone at the dealer? If it is such a concern it should be very easy to get the data. Just FYI I Googled Ram diesel dead pedal and didn't get anything but the TDR posts. Seems odd as some of the other forums are quick to jump on any problem someone notices.

There quite a bit of discussion on the Cumminsforum.com.

A local friend of mine bought his first Cummins recently (2014 3500/Aisin) and he complained about his truck not responding when getting on the go pedal. This was the first I heard of it so I started searching TDR and Cumminsforum for info.

 

[MLee]

There has been no mileage mentioned on the truck when the dead pedal has occurred. New ones out of the dealers door, 5K,10K, what? or Flat Terran, on freeway, incline etc.

 

[DonFitzwater]

There has been no mileage mentioned on the truck when the dead pedal has occurred. New ones out of the dealers door, 5K,10K, what? or Flat Terran, on freeway, incline etc.

Mine has just rolled over 3000 miles and has done it since new. I can "work around" it most of the time but every now and then the dead pedal happens out of the blue when I'm not expecting it.

 

[Larry Willard]

I am at 18000 miles and only notice it on occasion. The last time it was pulling out to pass, was doing about 30 to 40 MPH and as I pull into the left lane and floored it, it was as if I never moved the throttle for several seconds then it took off. Of course the car in that lane wasn't happy as they caught up to me.
Larry