Dodge quality question

[jelvington]

When I read on the Ford site and talk to Ford owners it seems that most of them say that really like the Cummins but will not buy because of the Dodge chassis.

I used to be a Ford guy myself but it seems to me that they have had more quality issues in the past few years than Dodge. I work with a guy that is in the market for a new diesel and he is always asking me if I've had any trouble from my truck because he is afraid of the chassis but he wants the Cummins. I have been very happy with mine, no trouble so far in 63,000 mi. .



Am I wrong in thinking that since DaimlerChrysler began that we can expect a better built truck, especially in the new generation trucks?

 

[athompson]

When I started looking for a diesel 4wd truck, I checked out all three. Since I'm a Chevy fan, I check them out first, but I ruled it out because of the IFS.



Since I'm not a Ford fan, I checked the Dodge next. The best thing about the Dodge was a non-Dodge drivetrain with the manual transmission. There is no way I would buy a Dodge automatic.



To be complete, when I checked out the Ford, the best thing was the locking front hubs.



Of them all, the only one that had a solid feel was the Dodge. In fact, when I dropped the my truck off for the Rhino lining, the installed was happy it was Dodge because he didn't have to worry about where he stepped while in the bed.

 

[Pit Bull]

If it is overall quality rating have your friend checkout the JD Powers reports. Problem is if they all average around one defect per truck and he gets 3 he will be mad. If he gets 0 then he will be happy. All three brands are in the same ballpark for quality. Have him buy the one he likes the most for the features that are his top priority. If it is quality then he needs to drop back to a 1/2 ton and buy a Toyota Tundra :-laf If he wants a heavy duty truck that can take a load and work hard all of its life then he should get a Dodge CTD (02 or prior). If he wants a heavy duty truck that will take a load and work hard all its life and his wife and or girl friend will like get an 03 Dodge CTD. All of the new trucks from Dodge, Chevy and Ford are all designed with the little woman in mind- It's there new market segment that they are going after Is nothing sacred?

 

[LSMITH]

The steering on the second gen trucks is a travesty, engineers and accountants should be beaten/hung/imprisoned or at least fired for letting the design out the door. Other than the steering and the trackbar the Dodge is a darn solid design. The interior is as good or better than anything out there, 120K miles on mine and not one rattle anywhere. The stock automatic is darn tough, but a few bad ones got out of the factory. The 5th gear situation on the 5 speed is another case where a flogging would be appropriate. The 6 speed seems solid as a rock so far.



Time alone will tell what the 3rd gen is made of... ...

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by LSMITH





Time alone will tell what the 3rd gen is made of... ...

I was reading one of the TDR mag's about the tour of the Cummins plant and the new engine coming on line. One thing the plant manager stated that hit home. The last year of production of the 2nd generation Cummins had produced the fewest quality problems in their production history. Then he went on to talk about how they were working hard to keep the quality up on the 3rd generation CTD's. I am sure they will have some problems but it seems like Cummins has made progress in their production of these engines and I bet the new one will have very few problems. I don't think you can say that of the new 6. 0 Fords or the Dmaxs. Not based on what I have read.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I wouldn't worry as much about the MECHANICALS of the '03's, as I would the ELECTRONICS - a pretty fair number of glitches as in strange lights and displays seem to be cropping up - what will occur later, after normal vibration and corrosion do their deed? The best mechanical device made is of little value if the electronics that controls it is defective or fails...

 

[Deezul1]

I had always owned Fords and they were darn good trucks but when Diesel time came I did not want a Powerstroke and so jumped the tracks and bought my 1st Dodge and was worried about liking it. I am on my 2nd Dodge CTD and I LOVE THIS TRUCK. I bought mine used with 130,000 on it and it now has 170,000 and I have zero compliants and am very impressed with how this truck has held up for that many miles. Nothing wrong with it and interior in excellent shape other than replacing the drivers seat bottom bolster from sliding in and out. No rattles or squeeks and drives real solid. Not 4x4 so no comment on that steering system.

 

[Uncle Joe]

Now thats funny!

I had a 99 CTD now I got 01. 5 ctd ,zero QC issues on both.

One of the reasons i will never own a ford is that I am convinced

that they get there bolts from the same foundry that makes the cheap sockets that stupid people buy at the swap meet,you know the ones that are made in chino,break the first time you use them,in the process your hand runs in to the alternator stud that finds it way deep,deep into the abyss that used to be your hand followed by blood splattered all over the place leading to an encore of choice words that should not be repeated by humans under the age of(lets say)18.

OK,I will get of the soap box now... ... ... ... ... ... ... Joe

 

[dan_gilson]

Boy I wished my chassis had less than 3 defects. I have had a number of problems with both of the Rams that I have purchased. Less with the Cummins. I have been really happy with the 24V.



If you have to get a Ford and still want a Cummins plant then move to a 700 or greater chassis. So you will have a medium duty chassis with the medium duty plant.

 

[Champane Flight]

No complaints

My old 95 has had a good record as far as QC goes. The only problem spots is the paint, the paint on the roof is just peeling off! I am going to repaint the roof myself. The trim is kind of cheap also, with the clear plastic peeling away. All of this is cosmetic and not a big concern. The cab is still tight and I marvel at how the doors sound when closed. Compare it to my buddys 97 Ford screwcab, which sounds like a tin can when closed.



I have had zero problems with the drivetrain and only one with electrics (fuel sender).

 

[rrl989]

Dodge dealerships seem so much more independent than the other big two. My dealerships policy is simple, they get paid one way or another, either by us, or DC. They always try to pull the old, "we'll have to see if its covered". They ( Dodge (DC)) do not participate in the BBB Arbitration as most ALL other car /truck manufacturers do, Ever wonder why ? You have to go to court if you want to argue whats covered under warranty, or you have a problem, most people won't. For example, when my drive shaft rattles at 45 mph, they told me it was normal, on 2002 Chevy's when customers complained, they were getting their shafts replaced (from two piece to one piece).

Customer satisfaction is not part of their plan, plain and simple. I will say my present Ram has held up much better than my last GMC. Not sure if I'll go Dodge again. I've cost them four truck sales as part of my "customer disatisfaction policy". Cummins and their blind eye (I mean hole) KDP fiasco doesn't help out either, once they get your $30-$40K, just pray you get a good one !



Ron

 

[Pit Bull]

Ron, seems like all of the dealers are different when it comes to the customer. Some will bend over backward to provide good service and others won't. Looks like you have one that won't. Might be the part of the country you are in. I found that the dealers in small town midwest are a lot nicer to deal with then the big cities. The best deal is if you don't ever have any problems and never need to find out how the dealer is with a warranty claim. Sorry to hear you are having such problems.

 

[Uncle Joe]

Customer satisfaction is not part of their plan(quote)

I have to disagree,couple of years back I leased a Durango for the wife(99)on the sticker it claimed to be 3. 92-1 rr end

when i climed under it it said 3. 55 on the axle,(3 month after we got it)so I go back to the stealer and said "whats up with that?"

They offered to change the gears,I said I dont think so... .....

called the district rep,told him the story,next thing i know they took the poor thing back, gave me ALL my money back(we got to use it for 4 month & put 5k on it).

Another time the lot monkeys scratched the front &rr bumpers on my truck while it was in for service,(typical) the stealer fully took care of that(didnt even get to argue!),including fixing the scratches that I put on it!

I think DC as a whole does care about customer service,its that there are so many ahole dealers that leave a bad taste in your mouth(dont get me started!) .

 

[dan_gilson]

I can't say that I have had many good experiences with Dodge dealers in the area. I did have one. All the rest have been not so good to really really bad. On the current truck it took them over 5 visits to fix the front seal leak in the NV4500. The rear pinon has leak twice. On the 2nd time I had to explain uner no uncertain terms that they better to a good job inspecting it. After having to repeat myself they finally found a nick on the yoke and replaced it.



On the '96 that I had another dealer did not jack it correctly and dented the underside. Then he proceeded to call me a liar. He quicky changed his toon when I suggested that we move the truck into the same stall and see if the marks line up wih the lift pad. Then he tried to tell me that I could only have the work done at his body shop. The service manager's attitide was his way or the highway. The GM was a little better. She knew that I now had enough info to do a pretty good pounding in court and being that I was trying to be resonable with her she would be with me. Shortly after that the 12V thermostat started doing its swinging and Dodge did not have a fix from Cummins yet. After 18 visits under warrenty in less that 3 years it was the straw that boke the camels back.



The Cummins was why I got the 2nd one. If not for it I would probably be driving a powerstroke. I figured that I knew most of the problems with the chassis so why learn something else that was probably going to be just about the same in quality.

 

[Pit Bull]

Based on how hard most 3/4 and 1 ton trucks are used, these trucks do a great job. Just think how long your wifes car would last if you loaded it up and used it hard??? Even if it was a Mercedes or a Lexus :-{}

 

[propuller]

i do alot of truck pulls & ive seen alot of fords drop the rr driveshaft it seems that the rr suspension is weak & the sterling rear end doesnt have a good rep. i know of several destroyed ring gears on 400 horse fords. it also seems like they start to bounce when they start pulling hard & thats when all hell breaks loose. my o1 dodge makes more power than this & it pulls flat & straight never has it bounced. i have never dropped a shaft or broken anything this truck sees abuse & it has never let me down. this is one tough truck. as far as chevys whats up with the front suspension on these things has anyone noticed how they toe in under a hard pull & if there is big meaty tires on there is gonna be some busted parts. im not bashing anybody trucks all im saying is the cummins diesel & the dodge driveline is tougher than nails. kurt. ps if i wanted a smooth ride i would have bought a car.

 

[jelvington]

Just thought I would update on my friends thoughts on buying a Dodge. Last week he drove a dmax diesel and over the weekend he drove an '03 Cummins 4x4 dually. He says he is going to go with the Dodge. He was very impressed with the Dodge and Cummins over the bowtie. Somehow he got passed the quality question.

 

[amsoilman]

I have had the 1st generation, 2nd generation and now the 3rd generation Dodge/Cummins combo, and the 03' is by far and away the best so far concerning quality!



Just my . 02 worth.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by amsoilman

I have had the 1st generation, 2nd generation and now the 3rd generation Dodge/Cummins combo, and the 03' is by far and away the best so far concerning quality!

Wayne

amsoilman

Wayne, just curious? What is your definition of quality and how are you applying it?? Fit and finish? Materials? Performance? Design? Comfort? Functionality? Bang for the buck? Complexity or lack of? Ease of maintenance? etc? You can judge several of these areas by just looking. Others you need to live with the vehicle for awhile and others you have to see how the vehicle stays together over a long period of time. The 03's are to new to be judged in the last area. Lets just take design, I might hate the looks of the new 03 but love the design of the 1st generation. All of the electronics on the new trucks increase complexity and decrease the quality of my ownership experience if I am the type of a guy that likes to work on my truck. You can even relate this to the sound quality between the 2nd and 3rd generation trucks. I would feel that the 3rd generation trucks lost their sound quality, where you might feel that because they are quiet they gained in sound quality. I guess I am just saying that quality is in the eye of the beholder. Glad you like your new truck

 

[Sled Puller]

That is true- I have seen Fords blow U-joints out their front axle just getting ready to pull the sled,applying pressure before they moved.



Steering is a weak link- Lukes Link tightens it up for $50



The dowell pin? can be fixed for free, as a member of this site.



5th gear, expensive to fix properly, but if you don't lug your engine, it is doubtful it will ever come off, mine never did.



The automatics can be upgraded.



With the help from the members and a few aftermarket companies, the small flaws can be fixed better, than any truck out there, and you have a better truck.