I HATE my new '04!!!!

[DPKetchum]

Hey i bought mine without a test drive. I saved about 9k off sticker. I never considered a Ford or a Chevy. just never entered my mine when it came to a diesel truck. Or for that matter a gas truck. Never cared for Fords. Don't know why just haven't. Never have owned one ever. Kinda want a Crown Vic or a Marquis but thats the extent of it. The Chevy's ,well I handled G. M. Always thought a dishonest group,more so then the others(D. C. )and think way TO UGLY to pay a bunch of money for. If I was shopping for a new truck(gas)it would be a Dodge also. Don't like a lot of their cars but don't like front wheel drive throwaways of anybodys. New car if not a full size I would look at Nissan. Just my feelings. Got a old 85 Caprice Classic. I like it. But nothing to replace it with other then a big Ford product. Them Chevy's fronts just to damn ugly for my taste.

 

[LightmanE300]

Good luck rosco, I'm sure you'll get it figured out. I think some who cured the vibration had their driveline angles adjusted. If the swaying point between two vehicles for you is the comfort of the seats and quality of the stereo, I personally think that's silly. Of course a tahoe is more comfy than a pickup truck, the tahoe isn't designed to do the same thing... . it's a soccer mom vehicle, not a work truck. My new 04 is vibration and problem free so far with 2000 miles, knock on wood! Good luck, I'm sure you just got a rare dud, or it's something that can be fixed.

 

[DPKetchum]

If its the drone at 1900 plus rpm its not driveline. It will do it in neutral also!Its harmonics.

 

[ACerf]

04 problems

I think it is funny how some of you are bashing the Dodge for issues! Like Ford and Chevy don't have issues! Ford is one of the leaders in keeping secrets from the public. Look at all the problems they had with the SUV's and tires. The diesels getting fuel in the oil. And if any one has ever owned a ford how many trannys they have had in them before they reached 60,000! Chevy interiors are the cheaps on the plant! Ask any body man they are junkie plastic that don't hold up! I know of several people who have electrial problems with new GM products, including the Duramax. Not to mention that the truck in general are ugly! and Boxy looking. Plus neither one of them have a warranty that is even close to the DC, I wonder why? They would go broke fixing the many mistakes they make. Personally I have dealt with two dealers here in California and find them to be much better than any Ford or Chevy dealer. Ford never could get my truck fixed the first time and in some case not even the second or third time! Plus the Dodge is the BEST LOOKING Truck on the market bar none! And who in there right mind would buy a V-8 Diesel! If they were so good big rigs would use them, even Detroit Diesel fiqured that out many years ago. They are high rev and they means increased wear. Ford was saying that the new 6. 0 should last at least 250K before doing anything major to the engine... . WOW I am impressed... NOT! Give me a break here, Ford wanted to buy Cummins so bad they could taste it, but because of the contract with DC they backed out of the deal!

Like My bumper sticker says "Ford Towed For Free"! And if I had room I would include Chevy on the sticker!

 

[Rosco]

O. K. guys my reference to my wifes tahoe had to do with the seat comfort and not ride quality. Also, I agree that seat comfort is not a big deal BUT only to a certain point. I purchased this vehicle with the intention of buying a fifth wheel trailer and traveling the United States. Now, if my hands are numb and my rearenend hurts after the first 100 miles what good is that.



I really love the Dodge trucks BUT in my mind I feel helpless and screwed. I really don't want to have to deal with this. I just wanted to drive my truck and be happy.



In some ways I feel like just waiting for a fix to come out. But, if I wait and get no resolve I will be even more upset. I guess I am really undecided as to what action I will take.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Rosco - Shouldn't you at least give the dealer a chance at fixing the problem before getting all riled up? Going into the situation with a "start the long process to a buyback" attitude probably won't help. Just seems to me like you are making assumptions and predicting outcomes before trying anything to fix it. Maybe I read it wrong and you've already been to the dealer.

 

[DPKetchum]

Need to drive it 6 or 7 k and then decide. Possibly change the exhaust or not. But it did get better with mileage. I think all the stiff hangers help transmit threw undercarriage.

 

[Rosco]

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

Rosco - Shouldn't you at least give the dealer a chance at fixing the problem before getting all riled up? Going into the situation with a "start the long process to a buyback" attitude probably won't help. Just seems to me like you are making assumptions and predicting outcomes before trying anything to fix it. Maybe I read it wrong and you've already been to the dealer.

Steve, you are absolutely right. I should give the dealer a few bites at the apple. The reason I sound so negative is because I have been reading about others who have the same condition and have been through the ringer trying to get it repaired with no "actual" fix.



Like I said in my previous post, I am undecided as to what I am going to do. I may wait for a possible fix that could on the horizon, or I may go to the dealer soon. Either way, I will try to be less negative.

 

[JamesDennis]

I had a bad vibration noise on my 03 CTD. I finally figured it out where it was coming from. The ATF dipstick was vibrating against a hose coming from the firewall. I put a piece of foam in between the two and it fixed the problem.



03 2500 Laramie CTD 4x4, Black, Westin Nerf Bars

 

[realsquash]

I have a vibration on my steering column at 1900-2100 or so. It's the plastic cover. If I just put my finger on it the vibration stops completely. Once in a while I give it a smack and it doesn't do it for a few days. One of these days I'll take it apart and see if I can't use some strategically-placed RTV to stop the vibes.



It's amazing that people even put a vibration in the same category as engines that blow up and then rip on the Dmax/Allison in the same breath. It's just not logical!



Andy

 

[Bill Littlefield]

Two thoughts

Rosco,



When you go back to the dealer, talk to your salesman first. Have him/her go for a test drive with you and make sure they can see/feel the problem. They can help you find the right people at the dealer to talk to. This would give you the most leverage if the same salesman sold you the two 03 truck. He wants you to be happy so you'll buy a fourth truck someday.



I don't understand some of you guys. I don't see why anyone should be happy with a truck with problems?? Just because the other brands have their problems does not justify a Dodge problem. That makes no sense at all.



If you buy a new truck and it has problems, then you have a lagitimate beef. Work skillfully with the dealer and let them know that you expect it fixed. If they can't fix it, they can buy it back or replace it with one that works right. The customer has a right to be happy.

 

[DPKetchum]

Some reported something loose at tilt lever. Pulled the shell and tightened something. Thats what the warranty tickets said was pulled shell to repair.

 

[KGrover]

All manufactures have some problem with there products. But from personal experience with DC on the vibration issue I think they are in the denial mode I think customer NO service people at headquarter put on a different hats and pants to live with them selves when they go home. I have never experience a costumer service that really don't care as much as DC!! I waited up to 3 weeks for area rep to meet and drive the truck, he never showed:--) ( and i went threw the dealership and costumer service to set-up this plan of action. ) After the third week I started looking for a deferent truck and purchased another 03, out of my own pocket because of no resolve of the steering vibration. Talk about a great product with little backing.

 

[crabjoe]

Originally posted by tobaccogrower

what happens when you order a truck and test drive it and it has some problems?

will the dealer let you decline it? will you get your money back? i'm waiting on a 04,2500,HO,sport larime,4x4 auto. i hope i don't have any problems. it's supposed to be delivered around thanksgiving! I CAN'T WAIT!... . james

The deal I have with my dealer is that I can decline the truck when it comes in if I don't like it for any reason. Will I get my money back? Well, I won't because I didn't put anything down to order. It all depends on your dealer. My dealer ordered mine on just a handshake with the disclaimer that I won't take it if I didn't like what came in.

 

[DPKetchum]

I meet with a rep that kept me waiting a hour plus while he had a meeting with the service manager. I know this rep. I worked for a D. C. dealer 4 years. When he did come out and I mentioned (IT)drone he said HUMMMMM. I never heard of that. I almost went off on him. If he didn't respect me enough from knowing me or plain just being a customer I thought WELL I don't need to be polite with him. But I was and I never did get info from them about IT. Just that they had TOP people working on IT. We need to raise more STINK with D. C. Are they really working on IT and if so let some kind of info(I. E. )Its manifold/turbo related or the length of exhaust or its ???What ever! But something!And let them know about prompt APPOINTMENTS etc. If their REPS can't handle a appointment its a poor example for the dealers who get SURVEYED on such and scored.

 

[tobaccogrower]

any of you guy's tried an exhaust tip?

it made a diffrance on my 99 which way it pointed for the drone.

 

[Johnstra]

PSD has the drone/vibration too

Not that this should make any of us happier, but misery does love company... The 6. 0 PSD also has a drone/vibration at approximately the same RPM range. Of course, for the the 6. 0, this problem goes along with diesel in the oil, rough idle, romp, and dead pedal. You can find many posts on all these issues over at dieselstop.com.



For the 6. 0, it is currently thought that the turbo mounting bracket is the source of the vibration. I don't have any information on whether they've actually been able to make it stop, though, by changing the bracket.



And as an aside, in the latest flash for 6. 0, one of the keys to solving many of these problems customers are experiencing is to turn off pilot injection. Seems there are too many problems in the PSD pilot injection implementation to deal with, so they're just turning it off. Wonder if they offer a refund for taking away one of the key product features.



-john

 

[adsharpe]

DC is going broke. They don't give a hoot about your problems. A dealer might take an interest but most of them are disgruntled with DC cause their profit margin has been cut.



Your best friend is the Consumer Protection Division at your State Attorney General's office.



Anybody ever had a DC rep talk to them like a human being or indicate true concern for your difficulties?



You are dealing with a foreign car manufacturer, not Americans!Oo.

 

[Snellville-Dave]

I'll second that about them not being americans. I've got a few shares of what used to be Chyrsler. Not to get carried away, but those MB folks can stick it where the sun don't shine.

 

[HEYBOSS]

wooooooo... ... ... ... ..... that hurts, man