Dead Pedal Update & Lemon Law

[MJWenrich]

My truck has been at the dealer again to try different things to get rid of the dead pedal and a steering problem. I left it there so the RAM folks could check the computer history and their comment back is that the truck is performing within designed parameters. The techs at RAM have no fix for this yet and since the truck is at the dealer I don't have my warranty book to see if there is information on how to invoke a Lemon Law proceeding. I only have one and half months before I hit the two year mark. Would anyone know how and what I need to do to start this process? The Chrysler/RAM folks of course would not advise me and the service manager does not know.

I am now waiting to hear if I can get an area/district RAM Service Tech to drive the truck. I am told they can authorize more action, if there is any to be had, or maybe proceed thru them if this cannot be fixed. But if I need to lawyer up, then I better start looking.

BTW, for the naysayers, I finally got the service manager to drive the truck and his remark was that he had been doing "this"for a lot of years and had never seen anything like it. He was obviously surprised and likely thought, like others, my story was an exaggeration. I don't want to put him in between a rock and a hard spot but having invested between 50 and 60 K in a truck, well.....we shall see.

Mike

 

[brcbruiser]

Steve Lehto is a lawyer who writes a lot about this on OppositeLock and Jalopnik, check out this link, it may help:

http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/when-the-dealer-refuses-to-fix-your-new-car-1716196888

 

[Deleted member 995608]

OP- Good thing you got there service manager to acknowledge there is something off about your truck. Hopefully you can sway the dealer into helping lemon law your truck. Be cordial and professional, but carry a big stick. Rushing in there hollering and screaming like a child won't get you too far.

Hoping you get everything worked out in your favor.

 

[Ram4Sam]

My truck has been at the dealer again to try different things to get rid of the dead pedal and a steering problem. I left it there so the RAM folks could check the computer history and their comment back is that the truck is performing within designed parameters. The techs at RAM have no fix for this yet and since the truck is at the dealer I don't have my warranty book to see if there is information on how to invoke a Lemon Law proceeding. I only have one and half months before I hit the two year mark. Would anyone know how and what I need to do to start this process? The Chrysler/RAM folks of course would not advise me and the service manager does not know.

I am now waiting to hear if I can get an area/district RAM Service Tech to drive the truck. I am told they can authorize more action, if there is any to be had, or maybe proceed thru them if this cannot be fixed. But if I need to lawyer up, then I better start looking.

BTW, for the naysayers, I finally got the service manager to drive the truck and his remark was that he had been doing "this"for a lot of years and had never seen anything like it. He was obviously surprised and likely thought, like others, my story was an exaggeration. I don't want to put him in between a rock and a hard spot but having invested between 50 and 60 K in a truck, well.....we shall see.

Mike

I went through this, it's not really that complicated. Go to the Calif DMV website and read up on the law, and see if you qualify. You have 18 months or 18,000 miles, four or more repair attempts and out of service for 30 days or more. You can accomplish the same thing through arbitration, which is quicker and doesn't get a lawyer involved. You should have got a small booklet with your truck that explains the process.

http://www.ncdsusa.org/documents/Consumer%20Arbitration%20Brochure.pdf

Sam

 

[Badunit]

Is it a lemon if they ALL do it? What you described, the dead pedal, is a characteristic of the engine with the stock tuning. It can be very dangerous, considering it is at its worst when you NEED the power.

 

[Newsa]

Is it a lemon if they ALL do it? What you described, the dead pedal, is a characteristic of the engine with the stock tuning. It can be very dangerous, considering it is at its worst when you NEED the power.

I am only aware of some CTD's with Aisin having the dead pedal. But i think only 2013 & 2014.

68RFE doesn't have it that i am aware

 

[Newsa]

I am only aware of some CTD's with Aisin having the dead pedal. But i think only 2013 & 2014.

68RFE doesn't have it that i am aware

Actually, i think only some 2014's have it. Seems like it was more prevalent in 2013

 

[Badunit]

Most definitely happens on 2014's and 2015's with 68RFE. Some smug people want to blame it on operator error, from pushing the pedal too far too fast. I think it is a soot-reduction strategy gone wrong. The programming does not want to push in fuel until there is sufficient air to burn it without creating a cloud of soot for the particulate filter but it goes overboard and creates a very long and dangerous delay when you press the pedal far and fast (i.e., when you mash the pedal because you need power and lots of it immediately). I feel like I am driving an old gasser with a carb that is jetted incorrectly; one where you have to be careful with the gas pedal so it doesn't hesitate.

 

[GCecchetto]

My 2014 68RFE equipped Ram has the dead pedal issue, although seemingly not as bad as some. I personally feel it's a result of the engine torque management and the stability control system because, in my truck, it's very affected by cornering forces. You can also make it happen by quickly pressing on the accelerator, lift of, and the pressing again. No throttle every time like clockwork.

My truck recently spent 6 days at the dealer have a variety of things done. One of which was the recall for the update on the stability control system. I'm happy to report after that, that the dead pedal issue is much less severe, and the stability control system is much less invasive. Now if I stick the truck in a corner, I have throttle to power through it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster!

 

[Cummins12V98]

BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster!

Will having this effect warranty?

 

[GCecchetto]

I would really like to know for certain if this BD product creates the rail hang issue some have cautioned about.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I've never heard of rail hang. What is it?

 

[GCecchetto]

There are certainly others on the forum waaaaaay more knowledgeable than I on this. The way I understand this is that it's an extended raising of the pressure in the fuel rail. Someone will likely chime in with a better/more correct explanation.

 

[MJWenrich]

Thanks for all the good info. I still do not have the truck back to go thru the manuals or CD for the process but I am hoping it's 24 months and/24K for the law and not 18 and 18. I am not out of service with them for the 30 days either. If you count my time in the waiting room, I suppose it's around 10 days at this point. Dealers are so far away that it is not convenient to take it in more often. Of course I need the truck and that is why I bought it in the first place. I guess they count on it being a problem for us. I did try the BD Diesel item Joe,and it does help but I still have a 2-3 second lag in some cases instead of the 3-5 second. Much better off the line and up thru the first three gears. I have learned to "live" with the lag when that is in place but you still have to ramp up or drop gears to pass, etc. So if I am screwed on the Lemon Law, I will live with it for maybe another year and turn it in when the warranty expires.

This has already cost me a lot of money since I could not sell my 04 truck and it has gone down in value. But if I can trade this in on a newer RAM, maybe that will get me out from under the problems. I'm getting too old for this crap and really thought this would be my last truck. I'm using up "life units" on this I don't really have to spare.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Keep pushing because the problem is REAL. I got out the easy way and traded my 14 in on a new gasser. You can bet your rear end that I'll test drive the hell out of the next Cummins BEFORE I buy and end up with another "dead peddler".

 

[Newsa]

I am only aware of some CTD's with Aisin having the dead pedal. But i think only 2013 & 2014.

68RFE doesn't have it that i am aware

I stand corrected. Maybe it was just more noticable in the Aisin because the Aisin owners are used to lots more torque to the pavement. And when it doesn't scoot, it is more noticable?

 

[Mingoglia]

I'd be curious to drive other trucks to see if this problem varies. I too have noticed it, but I've just adjusted my driving style a bit to compensate. I just tell myself torque management is good and it allows me to still have a transmission that stays together stop light to stoplight but gives me plenty of power when it really counts, going fully loaded up a 7% grade. I have nothing though to say mine isn't as bad as someone elses. Seems to me it's less when I'm in tow/haul, and maybe mine responds different with the 4.10 gears as most have the higher gears just because they're more common equipment in these trucks.

 

[Newsa]

Thanks for all the good info. I still do not have the truck back to go thru the manuals or CD for the process but I am hoping it's 24 months and/24K for the law and not 18 and 18. I am not out of service with them for the 30 days either. If you count my time in the waiting room, I suppose it's around 10 days at this point. Dealers are so far away that it is not convenient to take it in more often. Of course I need the truck and that is why I bought it in the first place. I guess they count on it being a problem for us. I did try the BD Diesel item Joe,and it does help but I still have a 2-3 second lag in some cases instead of the 3-5 second. Much better off the line and up thru the first three gears. I have learned to "live" with the lag when that is in place but you still have to ramp up or drop gears to pass, etc. So if I am screwed on the Lemon Law, I will live with it for maybe another year and turn it in when the warranty expires.

This has already cost me a lot of money since I could not sell my 04 truck and it has gone down in value. But if I can trade this in on a newer RAM, maybe that will get me out from under the problems. I'm getting too old for this crap and really thought this would be my last truck. I'm using up "life units" on this I don't really have to spare.

Check with your DMV. It's 24 months in Florida. And 30 cumulative days out of service. Varies by state

 

[Newsa]

http://www.dmvflorida.org/florida-lemon-laws.shtml