cursed by Dodge; blessed by cummins

[AKDrifter]

Honestly folks, If I had to do it all over again, I just might! My truck still pulls right worse than ever. I've been to the dealersh#t 6 times in 7 months. Never been blown so hard, I mean off so hard by a so called proffesional corp. in all my life. Just like you guys said, WARANTIES ARE BULLS#*T. Ive spent $1,400 out of my own pocket since Jan. 2001 and I'm no better off than I was day 1. Question, does DC answer to anybody out there as far as honoring thier waranty, cause I feel like they dipped it in sand with no oil before they stuck it in!!! OUCH! I'm going around Dodge to get thing fixed finally.



Blessed by Cummins I am, what a machine. Tickled pink every time I drive it. Broke it in right towing for 8,000 out of first 9,000 miles. Unloaded MPG 19-21; loaded MPG 14-16 for real. She loves to sweat, never takes no for an answer, and is a real dream machine to drive, except for the brakes that pull me to right even though Dodge says "We can't test that anything is out of spec. so we can't do nothing".

 

[RottnDogue]

Lemon Law

I thought it was a Federal thing, but maybe it's just Connecticut 5 times to the Dealer for same problem without a fix, and they have to replace it. Can you say NEW TRUCK... ...



Darren

 

[RustyJC]

I know it's an apples and oranges comparison, but our new 4x2 2002 3500 steers OK and brakes great (so far) - it steers a little better and brakes tons better than our 1996 3500 did. No brake pull at all. Hope it stays that way!



One thing I've noticed about the steering - it seems like they have the caster set up for running loaded and/or towing. Running empty, both my 1996 and 2002 want to "wander", but when you get the rear end down a few inches with a load which increases the caster, both trucks track much straighter. Wonder if anyone has tried bumping the stock caster setting up about 1/2* to 1*?



You're right about the Cummins - this thing was born to work! It acts bored unless you have a load like our 13,500 lb GVWR 5th wheel strapped to it where it can get its shoulders against the load and get after it!



Rusty

 

[JLinder]

GRAB DC BY THE SHORT AND CURLIES

There is a federal law that says something along the lines of "if a problem with your vehicle is not fixed to your satisfaction while under warranty, you have the right to enter arbitration with the offending dealer. " If that doesn't work, eventually you get the DC themselves. Mind you, normally the arbitrator will side with the consumer becuase they buy cars too. Might be a pain, but if you want the issue resolved this is the proper channel to pursue. Good Luck!

 

[AKDrifter]

Yes the lemon law is in effect for Alaska too but, I work this thing every day, I'm going on a 10,000 mile road trip in sept. , I've put 4,000 miles on it just going back and forth to Whitehorse to get further blown off by Metro Crysler. Soooo, I call DC the other day to find out what is the deal with buybacks? DC says, divide your truck price by 120,000 miles. That's the depreciation per mile and they will buy it back but it will take 6 weeks to handle the deal!!!



By the time I get bacK from my road trip I'll be at 20,000 miles on this 9 month old rig and they want me to loose $6,000 off the top because they can't fix the problem!!! What fuc*#ing bulls*#t is this, really now. I honestly believe that this truck is worth more than $00000 at the 120,000 mile mark. That's why I say I'm getting the short end of the stick.



Bottom line, DC does not give a rats ass about thier customers...

 

[kebees4]

I don't know about Alaska but here in Ohio the LEMON LAW states they can not charge you for mileage. Go see an attorney most will not charge you anything to look at your case. I went through it a few months back and DC tried the mileage thing to me also but I refused to back down. I had an attorney ready if I would have lost the arbitration case. The arrbitrator ruled in my favor and I got it all back including my accessories money. Hang in there and don't let them push you around because they want you to get frustrated and give up so they don't have to pay up.

 

[ASchwartz]

Just my $0.02

At about 60,000 miles my truck pulled hard left every time I braked. I took it in to the dealer and the rear axle seal had blown which sprayed fluid all over the right rear brake. Thus the pull to the left. While repairing it they gave me a rental car. About a week later I had the same problem. I took it back and it had blown again. Dealer gave me another rental car and repaired the problem.

 

[AKDrifter]

Well, I can't group all Dodge dealerships on the same page, but I have fully done my part on this thing. I don't like dealing with lawers as much as the next guy but it sounds like the logical next move if DC cant prove up.



I talked to my dealer, Bellview Dodge in Seattle, and Brad is sending up new callipers and shoes for the front. I've got my fingers crossed! Although a man in the Seattle area says even with the new set-up on the front brakes, the cronic problem will come back, I can't wait.