3rd gens quality

[CATCRACKER]

to be buyers take heed!



the body on these new 03's suck. i will give you a partial list of the problems with the dodge part and the cummins on the new truck this is on mine alone i am sick of it and i want to warn would be buyers.



1. rattle in the steering wheel adjuster cant get it fixed

2. rattle in the drivers side door panel attempt to fix (3) to no avial

3. now i have a loud whistle at 75mph that i can hear over my radio.

4. the paint on this truck scratches so easy its pathetic

5. i can see primer in many places on my truck

6. the SOB has pulled to the right since day one no fix

7. no vanity light or light under the hood $36000 truck

8. no rear mat

8. no head rest on the rear seats

9. engine leaks oil out of the valve cover

10. clutch rattle

11. low oil in rear end



i could keep going





before you blaze me look at my past posts and realize that i have been hardcore dodge and cummins but that is changing with this new truck. dont say these things are minor b/c they are not b/c i have tried to have all of them fixed to no avail. My last dodge had the death wobble.





the whistle on the way back from mississippi this weekend is what has pushed me over the edge. in all my years i have never had a truck rattle and whistle like this one!!!!!!!



new buyers take heed of my advice the new truck has lots of issues that will get under you skin. none seem to be major until you drive one for a few months. these truck are not going to hold up no matter how much you try to baby them.



Intial impression i loved this truck but after having one for a while and dealing with the headaches of all the little things try the chevy or ford yea even the 6L these dodge are no better



sorry i am sick of this truck probably going up for sale!!!!!



oh yea guys dont respond to this one so it will go away fast! it is sad b/c DC needs to work on their quality control i am just luck i have a forum to tell other would be buyers. i might get kicked off for this one. but i paid $40,000 to form this opinion so i think i deserve to tell of my 2-DODGE experiances. 99 CTD had death wobble at 76,000 miles traded it in.



bottom line dodge is a poor quality truck

 

[Peter Campbell]

Every vehicle will have some problems. I avoid buying into the first year of a design change. Ask the 6. 0L ford owners. By next year it it will probly have all the issues worked out. The body on an '03 is a two year old design that should not have these problems. OBTW when you had the "death wobble" did you change out bushings and front end components? or just trade it in? Believe it or not suspension parts wear out. It would be nice if they lasted longer. The length of time has to do more with driving habits and the state DOT than the manufacturer. '04 on the way for me.

 

[MCrossley]

By all means you have the right to tell your story and we all listen with open ears. Unfortunatly you have good ones and you have bad ones, my 2001 has 111k on it now and to this day I love it. My uncle has a 2003 that just turned 20k with only an low a/c level that has been fixed there are both good and bad and unfortunatly I think you have just had poor luck. I would say go to other brands but Ford you will end up with a truck with no engine as they are failing at alarming rates, and Chevy seems to be having longevity issues as well I think I would try another dealer and see what they can do sometimes a dealer can make all the difference. I wish you the best of luck as I know it can be frustrating.

 

[BillHicks]

CATCRAKER, sorry for your problems. In the interest of fair and balanced I have to say that my 03 is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I am 65 years old and have bought many new vehicles, most with problems or something I did not like. This one is the exception. I like everything about the truck and have had zero problems. Good luck to you.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Yeah whatever, but there are some advantages...



My truck has the new car smell, larger cab, doesn't wander all over the highway, quieter unless I want it loud, truly stronger frame, less spring wrap on rutted roads, no mud on the carpet, the mirrors don't vibrate at 75, lift pump is better , better throttle response, starts when its a@@ bite cold, no dented bumper, more room for a behind the axle fuel tank, four real doors without getting a ford p. o. s. or a truck two feet longer, rear windows that roll all the way down, 'A' pilar that I can see around, a windshield that sheds rain on the highway, doors that don't drip when the window is open (but look out for snow), under the middle seat storage for a '. 44, wider frame to mount the 5ver pins to, better interior and exterior light controls, same crappy over priced stereo/CD/Cassette, fewer places to bust my knuckles under the hood, easier air filter to get at, batteries that aren't in the way, less crap in the way of the water drain valve, no crankcase vent puking vapor all over the front of the engine, no squeek in the front left dashboard - A-pilar, I have a cab and hood height 2" higher than my 2001 and it still clears the 5ver, better fuel mileage , plenty of power BEFORE bombing, more potential after, a six speed that doesn't fall apart, a clutch that can handle the torque(almost), new color ( every other truck was white or driftwood), looks like a truck, will grow on me just like the 2G did. It doesn't leak(anymore), doesn't creak, isn't weak and isn't an isuzu or school bus, its newer than my old truck ( always a plus), its newer than the neighbors ( another plus ) and its mine and its paid for, and, my wife likes it, I think, didn't ask. And don't forget, Cummins.



Other than that I guess I got screwed!



The warranty items have been simple and taken care of, just imagine being told you need a new engine or we'll do better on the next year like Ford has told their customers.



Paint, well thats a 15 year old problem that with all the environmental wackos out there will never ever be solved, only get worse, besides, I can destroy any paint job.



Death wobble, Worn out parts, they don't last for ever. I had a Ford that nearly spit me out the first time it gave me a Kingpin shake, no warning, but your truck isn't doing this.



And its inflation that raised the price on a truck $6000 since 1998.



So go ahead and buy someones old worn out, need to fix everything truck or better yet, buy a Ford and see if they fixed any of their truly serious problems, You get to spend even more money and can form a stronger opinion, but I didn't hear any complaint yet thats truly serious with your truck, and the styling issues were there before you bought it.



IMHO, 5 Dodges and counting

 

[CATCRACKER]

"but I didn't hear any complaint yet thats truly serious with your truck, and the styling issues were there before you bought it. "





If you define a $40,000 truck that has 12000 miles on it that persistantly rattles from the doors clutch and other places, whistles, leaks oil, pulls to the right and has primer showing through the paint among other things as small issues why dont you try adding them up and see what most people with common sense would say about the truck that sits in my driveway at night. enough said



PS glad you got a good one remember you could be me next time you spend $40K. $40K at 25 years old



PSS i am setting up an appointment with my District manager for him to look at it. love the truck hate the problems

 

[DIESELMAN]

Turning the key and it doesn't start is a serious issue, sitting by the side of the road is serious, but no headrests, on the back seats or cheap floor mats or a light that was always too dim to see or do anything anyway? I don't get it. That doesn't make the truck poor in quality.



Having 8 quarts of diesel and 8 quarts of oil in the CCase makes it junk.



The only Oil leaks I've seen is some trucks with weeping above the manifold side of the head, very minor.



Mine had a fuel line leak, I diagnosed it, dealer replaced the line, done.



Rattling clutch? Dodge acknowledged the problem and will fix, free. I chose to upgrade the clutch instead, my choice, thanks South Bend, clutch is great. The clutch problem is a Vendor error wherein the springs did not have enough preload, too short, fixed.



Whistle, If they all had it, then its a problem, if only yours, find the source and take the piece causing the noise off or seal the leak, or put the silencer back in. Same with door rattles, and interior squeeks, find and fix, very simple.



Paint, thats a sore spot, but if you have thin paint, a respectable dealer will fix it, but didn't you look before taking possession?



This is my 5th Dodge, and 9th vehicle, and I'm yet to turn 40. I know that the Truck I paid 26,000 for in 1986 will cost over 41,000 today, and I didn't get leather then, It broke down constantly, it leaked, wheezed, puffed, sucked gas, burned brakes, wobbled, paint peeled off, and generally sucked. That was a junk truck, and I never bought a new Chevy again. But many will tell you they are better than the Dodges and Fords I've been buying ever since.



Keep in mind, Dodge, Chevy and Ford don't build trucks, they assemble components, and many from the same manufacturers, like the Axles for instance. They all have up and down days and sometimes turn out junk components, if your truck has a lot of these junk components, then it will be a lemon no doubt. But overall, the quality is on par with the comparison of selected features from other manufacturers.



I'll trade a bunch of squeeks for the awful sound of a tow truck towing my new 6. 0 PSD for the third time in a month.



PSS, make the DM fix any real problems, don't take any bullsh@t, and if he puts in the headrests and hood lamp, let us know so we can call him too!

 

[timjones]

Sorry to hear your luck with the truck but, I cant resist to notice some things.



'The Original CATCRACKER' 03',3500,SRW,QC,SILVER,ETH/DEE,4x4,2" level,315's,xed-ring,Dyno 296 Hp stock, AFE drop in, dipro a-pillar egt&boost gauges "Proof read! whos got time for that?"





"Pulls to the right" but I notice. A: are the roads flat or canted to the right. B: beside the tire's and suspension modifications, did you change the shocks? realign the front end and replace the bushings and control arms? to make up for the much heavier tires and geometry change that you made? Or are you complaining that D\C did not repair your fixes to their design?



"wind whistles at 75" A: well how did you hang your gages? with duct tape? No you probably added\changed the a pillar cover. When changing the design did you get all the seals back in place? Or did D\C not repair your fixes to there design?



The common theme here seems to be I BOMB'ed my 40,000 dollar truck and it does not work right any more. There fore it must be crap, cause I only fixed it.



Sorry just my $5. 02



I am my own warranty station? hmmm who said that?

 

[Elite1]

I love my 03' no rattles or leaks... . runs great and is fast. I don't care about head rests in the back. My wife misses the lit up vanity mirror. But it doesn't upset me, she always looks good anyway! Now just saving my nickles and dimes for Gauges and a BullyBox!

 

[CKruse]

Sounds like you definately have a truck with some issues. Please don't paint them all with the same brush. While there are definately weak and strong points with each truck, I drove them all, checked them out, and bought the 2003 Dodge/Cummins.



The Ford 6. 0 I drove wouldn't pull a sick prostitute off a truckstop toilet. It had no power under 2k, where a diesel should. And what a laundry list of problems--NOT MINOR cosmetic problems or rattles, or squeaks, but MAJOR ISSUES that have caused a high percentage of owners real DOWNTIME.



The GMC/Duramax was decent, and don't flame me for saying it, but with all due respect it is an old man's truck. Too low to the ground, have to look at the sticker to see if it's a four wheel drive. The Duramax/Allison would have probably been my second choice given all of Ford's current issues, but understand it would be a very distant second.



My advice would be to try a different dealership or speak to a zone representative regarding the issues you are having. At 7000 miles my truck is definately not perfect, but I haven't found one yet that is. I still believe it is WAY above the competition.



Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I'm really sorry to hear about your woes. The only ones I'v been irritated by are 7,8 and the other 8 (?) on your list.

I have to say the quality of this one over my first gen is night and day. Even my paint is still perfect after 16k miles.

Good luck and I hope things work out quickly for you.





Scotty



EDIT: CKruse, Sick prostitue? Truck stop toilet?

:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[CKruse]

I beg forgiveness! If I have offended any ill ladies of the evening I am truly sorry! I just couldn't think of a better way to say it! And I used to be such a nice boy.

 

[JWerkheiser]

Sorry about all the problems, CC, but I will have to say that generalizing that all the trucks are no good is a huge misrepresentation. You may have the lemon, but every '03 owner I know has the best truck ever. The only issues I have personally seen are your #7, #8, #8 (??), the heater box defrost arm broken and cracked alternator bracket.

 

[Elk]

Sorry to hear all your problems, I am on my 4th dodge cummins and this is by far the best. It is amazzing how many people in my close circle at first laghed at me and my trucks but now most are driving dodge cummins, infact as I am counting I should get all of them together and take a picture and send to the tdr. Heck my neigbor and buddy liked my o3 so much he went out and bought one and then his wife one. Heck at hunting camp this year there will be 4 03's, 97, 2 99's, 1 00 all cummins, oh and one suburban. I guess after reading my post my vision is probably blurred some, as I do have a ratiling clutch, and a cracked alternator bracket and leaking clearence lights but thanks to this awsome board I am not worried because I know when I have time I can take the truck to the dealership and it will be fixed. Well good luck and at least you have a truck and not some worthless WORLD COM STOCK that last time I got a statement I could not even take the familly to dinner on what it is worth now.

 

[yogibear]

CC, sorry your having so much trouble. Did it just start? I thought you were happy with it. H3!!, I've got more miles on my 03 than you had on your 99 when you traded it, and I'm tickled to death with mine. It's a much better trk. , I think, than my 96 or 00, and I was real happy with them. I think your just venting your frustration with a poor dlr. Get things fixed and all will be well!!

I tow with a couple of duramax's and psd's, and I'll gurantee you I wouldn't buy either one of them!! Keep smiling,



Larry

 

[Fireman]

I sure hated to sell my'01, what a great truck! How could it get any better? By buying an '03, that's how. I bought The First Dually to hit town almost a year ago, with 20,000 mi and over 550 hrs on the clock I'm still infatuated. I never dreamed they would ever build a heavy duty pick-up that was so comfortable and luxurious.



No lighted vanity mirror :{ , no POS dim bulb under the hood :{ , no rear seat heat rests-my dogs don't care .



I have taken it to the dealer for TSBs and Recalls, no problem. Like John, when I have a problem I locate it and handle it. I forsee a long, beautiful relationship with "Big Red".



I would sugest you go over and look on some of the PSD forums and see what kind of problems they are having before jumping into a bigger pile of... ...



Fireman

 

[Beer Man]

For what i use my backseat for, i don't need head rests'.

 

[amsoilman]

Catcracker,

I too am sorry to hear of your problems, and hope you get some resolve soon. I am very happy with my 03', and this is my 3rd CTD truck, a 91' 1/2, 94' and now the 03', and each have been better than the first. I put nearly 150,000 on the 94' model before I sold it for the 03', and it was still a very good truck! I only sold it to get the newer body and the 4-door option. I can say without any hesitation the 03' is the better truck in every way! I have been extremely happy with this truck, and the paint is very good... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... and NO rattles of any kind!



I wish you luck in whatever you do, but if it were me, I would try to work things out with the zone rep or find another dealer to address your concerns.



Best of luck,



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Dean Upson]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, CC. I have had a great many vehicles in my 62 years and the best 3 were my CTDs. The '03 is by far the best of any of them, as a matter of fact, the best of the best. I have had her for nearly a year, and she looks better than when I got her and I look forward to every time I crank her up and head out. I am in love



Dean

 

[adsharpe]

Originally posted by Fireman

I sure hated to sell my'01, what a great truck! How could it get any better? By buying an '03, that's how. I bought The First Dually to hit town almost a year ago, with 20,000 mi and over 550 hrs on the clock I'm still infatuated. I never dreamed they would ever build a heavy duty pick-up that was so comfortable and luxurious.





Fireman

What are you doing about replacement tires? Have you changed wheels or are you staying with the only tire available?:--)