Arbritration for Steering Wander

[crazygeo]

My 2001 Ram 4x4 has been accepted for abritration by the National Center for Dispute Settlement. After two steering boxes and nine visits to Dodge dealers for adjustments, alignments, etc. , I don't know where else to turn. Has anyone gone this route and if so, what was the outcome?

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[buttugly]

Is the dealer on your side or DC? It makes a big difference!

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2001 2500quad4X4SBETC auto KN Black Leather loaded Boost and EGT gauges EDGE EZ

 

[dabubba]

I have just completed my buy arbitration and am driving a new truck- here are a few suggestions- when you submit the paper for arbitration make sure you include copies of your service tickets showing how many times you have brought it to the dealer- the paper work will take a week or three to get to the arbitration board, they are nice people, they will contact you by phone and mail after they have reviewed your case- if they accept it they will call to set up your hearing date before the arbitration board- also a copy of your file will be forwarded to the regional dc office they will contact you and possibly try to reach a resolution before the arbitration hearing date (my call was about two weeks prior to my hearing) be aware you will have to pay a "usage fee" based on milage calculated to the first service attempt on your truck for the steering box-
If you want to have dc replace your truck with another they may give you a break on the usage fee. your truck will be replaced with a new one with the same options as your current one was originally delivered to you any add-ons you're kinda sol (unless you go to arbitration and fight for dc to pay for your accessories) the replacememt needs to be atleast equal to or greater than the msrp of your current truck- You're over the first hurdle if you need more info email me- curt

 

[KJDonovan]

Crazygeo,

I previously had a 2000 4WD 2500 QC with the steering wander problem. After 8 visits to the dealer, 5 steering boxes I gave up and documented everything… Every visit, call, the diagnosis and associated attempted fix. I sent it all in with the arbitration request and explaining the problem existed from day one. After a few weeks my hearing was scheduled and things could not have turned out better. At the hearing the service manager was in total agreement with everything I had documented and even encouraged the arbitrator to take a ride and check out the problem. After a short ride down the highway the arbitrator managed to "wander" into the rumble strip on the highway basically scaring the crap out of herself. A week later I got her ruling in the mail…. it was what I requested, a new truck. Because I had thoroughly documented the problem existed from day one there was no usage charge for the miles I had on the truck (29,232). This all took place last fall, this past Friday my new truck came in, a 2001 2500 4WD QC 6SPD and it is perfect!…. Zero steering problems! Here is my advice to you.

First off, go see the service manager at the dealer let them know this is the route your are going to take. Be professional about this…the dealer didn’t build the truck and does not have the authority to give you a new one.
Next document everything in a chronological format stating the dates of service, diagnosis and associated attempted fix.
It's important to state specifics i. e. : dates, mileage, service ticket number, and how long your truck was in the shop.
Also include copies of all your service tickets.

Hope things turn out as well for you.

Kevin.

PS: I wanted to mention that even though my dealer was unable to fix my truck I am 100% satisfied with their efforts and the courtesy I was treated while we worked through this. If anyone in RI or Eastern CT is truly looking for a 5 Star dealer I would recommend taking a ride to Disch Motor Group in Moosup Connecticut. Their sales dept is top notch too…I got the 2000 for 1% over invoice.

 

[kebees4]

Every state has ther own laws about lemon laws. Here in Ohio they can not charge you a usage fee. I have been there and done it. They tried the usage fee but I had consulted an attorny and was aware of my rights. I would sugest talking to a Lemon law attorny ahead of time and know your rights. It took me 2 arrbitration cases to get it setted without loseing any money. Keep records of everything from work done to who you talked to. Sorry for the long post but it makes me mad of what I had to go through with DC. Don't metion an attorny while in arrbitration.

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2001. 5 Flame Red Quad cab,3:54 auto 4X4