Finally got the passenger air bag recall done. But........

[Motorhead]

I finally got the passenger airbag recall done today. I HATE going to the dealer for anything. I made sure my OBDII port was inaccessible and made sure the service writer knew I didn't want them installing ANY UPDATES.
So 5 hours later I get the call my truck is done. I get in it to leave the dealership and knowing they had to take off BOTH negative cables to discharge the air bag circuit, I stop before the driveway, pop the hood and look at BOTH Negative cables. I see that the mechanic had cracked BOTH battery clamps by wrenching them down so tight until the clamp ends met. He had clamped them so tight that there were lead shavings on the battery just under the battery cable clamp nut. So I pull back into the service writers bay with my hood popped and the female writer comes out and says, "This isn't usually good". So I got the usual run around saying "Well I didn't see the condition of them when YOU came in". I showed her the Positive clamps and that they weren't broken and since I only have 97,000 miles on the truck that the Sears Platinum's were only the second set of batteries my truck has had.
So they are ordering me two new negative cables.
SO BEWARE if any of you guys have to go into the dealer to get the airbag recall, check to see that some "Ham Handed" mechanic didn't break your battery cable clamps.

 

[Mark31]

Just look at the bright side-----If you ever need an anvil warped, you know where to take it now!!

 

[jgillott]

Wow. That is a shame. It's little things like this that turn you off from dealerships.

I was very lucky. I just had my passenger side done at a brand new Ram dealership, C Harper Ram here in Connellsville PA. They had only been open a few days and I was one of the first service customers. They were absolutely great in the way that they handled my truck.

 

[Motorhead]

Believe it or not, the dealer sprung for BOTH negative battery cables and I had them the next week, no charge. I kind of held my breath until I had them in my hand. I installed them the next day.

 

[Bob4x4]

Glad to hear you were taken care of

 

[avvblanc01]

I've never had a good experience at dealers. Took my 2006 in for the driver's airbag replacement and they broke my horn. haha Took like two months to get the replacement parts too! I've always been happiest just doing the work myself.

 

[brods]

It seems every time I consider having the recall done another dealer debacle thread appears and my repulsion of the dealers kicks into high gear.

Unfortunately they finally found me with the robocalls Whats with the robo music? We have no spare vehicle now so they are going to have to give me a loaner, which is not likely to happen.

Does anyone know if the replacement bags still use rocket fuel (ammonium nitrate) or do they use a safe propellant now? I seem to remember early reports saying that some of the replacement bags would have to be recalled again because they were still using rocket fuel.

 

[promisedland]

My truck was in the dealer for the recall and they where great. My wife waited on it, no problems. Wish this where always the case....

 

[Regcabguy]

I had great luck with San Diego Dodge in San Diego.

 

[Lynx0849]

My recall on my ‘05 1500 was fine. The pinion nut not so much.


Pro

 

[Crunch]

It seems every time I consider having the recall done another dealer debacle thread appears and my repulsion of the dealers kicks into high gear.

For me it's the nagging fear that they are going to crack my still perfect dashboard when they do it. But I just keep telling myself that I never ride on the passenger side, and that makes me feel better.

 

[p-Bar]

I haven't done either side . Don't want my truck messed with.

 

[Bob4x4]

I haven't done either side . Don't want my truck messed with.

It may at some point come to where dmv will not renew registration.It already has on emission recalls

 

[brods]

Bob, do you know who makes the replacement airbags? I believe only takata was using ammonium nitrate propellant. I'll admit I was freaked out at first, especially when no repair parts were available. Doing a little digging and getting some perspective put those fears to rest. Sure I'll get the bags replaced eventually (if the truck lasts long enough) but I'm not going to worry about it.

What is really ironic is the money spent on this recall could be better spent if saving lives is what really mattered. It has been something like 14 years and 22 deaths worldwide, the vast majority of which were in Hondas with the Alpha bags. Now consider it is estimated that 11 teens die from texting and driving EVERY SINGLE DAY! Apples to apples over 14 years it works out to 22 vs 56,210 (and that is just 15-18 yr olds, not everyone killed by texting). I'd gladly keep these airbags forever if instead they could render digital devices inoperable in every road going vehicle (and that includes stupid touch screens for vehicle controls)!

 

[Bob4x4]

I have no idea,we were doing them by the pallete loads.

 

[brods]

Well its no surprise that Ram customer support was absolutely no help at all with the air bags. They referred me to a dealer, so I emailed the service department of the dealer I'd go to, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

[nibroc]

had my drivers side air bag done a few years ago but not going to have the passenger side done any time soon