I'm startin to hate this truck!!

[ssanders60]

Heater blender problems

My daughter's . 01 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD. had the heater, blender

etc. changed under warranty in Jan. '04, then when cool weather

arrived in October the same thing happened and the dealer said they

could not fix it under warranty again (now 53,335 mi), however I

called customer service (No. in your op manual) and Chrysler

paid $900 on it while I paid $100. These things are very expensive.



If you have a gripe and the dealer does not listen, call the number

in your operator manual, don't forget to be nice about it. It appears

that DC does not trust it's dealers.



'03 Ram 2500 h/o, 48re, SLT, quad cab, 4x4. (31,000 mi, wrapped

steering wheel has Small Pox, very slight vibration at 2100 RPm)

 

[sardoghauler]

As a former DC salesman (jeep) i have a note from the trenches for new car buyers. If the dealer is 5 star or 5 star probationary, hold on to the sales satisfaction survey for a while. You can use it as leverage against the sales department. On the other hand, reward a good sales job with a perfect survey. Many dealerships gives bonuses based upon those scores and DC Central uses them to evaluate dealerships for 5 star status. If you are having trouble with service, march right back into sales, find the manager, and tell them you havn't mailed in your survey, service dept. is jacking you around, and you want it solved. Heads will turn and feet will move if it is a decent dealer. If you do not receive a survey within 3 weeks of buying your car call the number in the manual and ask them to send you one. Dealers haave been known to change the reporting address of problems customers so they won't recieve them. By all means please please please reward good service with the same tenacity you chastise poor service. They aren't all bad guys. .

 

[ReevesRacing]

Or you can do like me!

I went in to inspect my truck for the repairs it might need and ended up just trading it in for a 05! Hope they have fixed some things on the trucks since I bought mine in October of 02? Hope I'm not doing the wrong thing with gettin rid of the 555 and gettin a 610! But my truck had 34,500miles on it and I don't have the money to be nickle and dime-n it after warranty.

 

[JHardwick]

Here we go again!!!



Heater won't go to the floor this time



I also noticed rust on the dealer installed grill guard ... ... ... ... for the second time



AND, the axle joint replaced a few months ago is clinking again



None of these items are rocket science



Don't tell me to sell it, these things shouldn't be happening after spending $38,000. 00 ... ... ... . no how, no way!



63,000 miles ... ... ... .....



heater blend doors 2 times soon to be 3



rear u-joints 2 times



axle joint 1 time soon to be 2



rusted grill guard 2 times



weak/sagging/misaligned running boards 3 times



The only thing I haven't had trouble with is the Cummins, transmission or rearends.

 

[FATCAT]

GLAD I've got my ol' 02.



I know what's wrong (fuel sys, 47RE) and can fix it (see sig).



Bob Weis

Glad I've got my ol' 97 ... I think I'll have it re-painted and drive it a few more years and get a small International.

- thin sheet metal

- junk u-joints and drive shafts and ball joints

- non-working HVAC systems

- Plastic Intercoolers (new for '05 OH Boy! what crap )



Maybe just buy the engine and find a old Dodge body and install it.



I can't believe all the problems the new trucks are having ... and everyone is crapping on Chevy/GMC and Ford. I think we need to take care of our own "house" be fore be start criticizing other truck makers.



Hopfully Toyota and/or Nissian will have something worth while in a few years.



What a disgrace ... why is it so hard for DC to put quality parts (over built parts) into their trucks and and charge a thousand or two more. People WILL pay for quality products. For every penny they save, DC must be loosing . 50 through warranty repairs and lost future sales.



I have been hoping for DC to come out with a 5500 in the worst way, now I don't think I will give Dodge another look based on what I have been reading for a few months now. What a shame.

 

[DPelletier]

Glad I've got my ol' 97 ... I think I'll have it re-painted and drive it a few more years and get a small International.

- thin sheet metal

- junk u-joints and drive shafts and ball joints

- non-working HVAC systems

- Plastic Intercoolers (new for '05 OH Boy! what crap )



Maybe just buy the engine and find a old Dodge body and install it.



I can't believe all the problems the new trucks are having ... and everyone is crapping on Chevy/GMC and Ford. I think we need to take care of our own "house" be fore be start criticizing other truck makers.



Hopfully Toyota and/or Nissian will have something worth while in a few years.



What a disgrace ... why is it so hard for DC to put quality parts (over built parts) into their trucks and and charge a thousand or two more. People WILL pay for quality products. For every penny they save, DC must be loosing . 50 through warranty repairs and lost future sales.



I have been hoping for DC to come out with a 5500 in the worst way, now I don't think I will give Dodge another look based on what I have been reading for a few months now. What a shame.

Believe what you will. My truck has been great. Not even ONE problem in 14mo and 35,000.

I'l take my "junk u-joints and driveshafts" and other stuff compared to a '97's crappy brakes, poor steering and weak stock power and inferior transmission.

No offense, Hardwick, but problems with aftermarket running boards and grill guards aren't even an issue with the truck, so that leaves a few u-joints and a heater door. Not much to complain about after 63,000 miles IMO.

Go try a Ford.



Dave

 

[yogibear]

Right on Dave!! Mines 2 yrs. old this week, rolled over 200K on the 24th of Dec. PS line cracked at 1200mi, TPS replaced at 2500mi, 2 u joints at 145K, LP shot craps at 198,500mi, and it went 1377 mi. with 0 pressure before it quite on me. I'm real happy with my 03!! My 00 went thru 3 LP's and 2 VP44's by 180K. I don't abuse my trks. , but I work them hard!



Larry

 

[DPKetchum]

Very small percentage posting on this site about problems like JHardwick. Mines had the powersteering hose TsB and the Ac recharged. Some problems to be expected. Thats why there is a warranty. Go the the Ford sites. WOW. the G. M. sites are better but still more problems then whats posted here. Also seems the 3rd generations are less problem prone then the 1st or 2nd generations. On Jhardwicks I'd be on the phone to D. C. and back to the dealer it would go. The u/joint problems are uncalled for. See if D. C. will allow a aftermarket joint. Request a meeting with the Factory Rep and see if and what D. C. will do. Its all documented and I'd hound them until its repaired. I had a on going SPEEDO problem in a 1990 D350 and D. C. was still fixing it and covering it 6 years later! It finally stayed repaired.

 

[JHardwick]

No offense, Hardwick, but problems with aftermarket running boards and grill guards aren't even an issue with the truck, so that leaves a few u-joints and a heater door. Not much to complain about after 63,000 miles IMO.

Go try a Ford.



Dave

It is when they are dealer installed Mopar parts.



Forgot about 2 new front hubs as well!



All told, it has been to the dealer close to 10 times so far, and needs to go back.



This is not to mention the intermittent "check gages" and "lamp out" problem that I've never told the dealer about. Just stuck that one under my hat. I figure if they can't get a simple u-joint right, I'm surely not going to let reprogram anything

 

[jnelson]

I think that if you are buying one of these trucks for personal use they are perfect but they are not designed as a work truck. Ford owns the market with their 450 & 550 series but I just do not like Fords. Thinking next truck will be an FL70 or T300

Sorry Casswell but you couldnt get me in a Ford. Maybe a Dmax never a Ford.



65,000+ miles in 7 months towing a loaded gooseneck hauling oilfield equipment all over the country. Been to the dealer once with a loose clamp on an injection line. 8 out of 10 hot sot drivers here in S. Texas are driving Dodges. Traded my 01 in at 433,000 miles. I'd buy a mini-Freightliner before a F550.



. 02

 

[FATCAT]

Very small percentage posting on this site about problems like JHardwick. Mines had the powersteering hose TsB and the Ac recharged. Some problems to be expected. Thats why there is a warranty. Go the the Ford sites. WOW. the G. M. sites are better but still more problems then whats posted here. Also seems the 3rd generations are less problem prone then the 1st or 2nd generations.

Well, don't Chevy and Ford sell more than twice as many diesels then Dodge?

I would figure you would see a higher total of problems reported on their sites then the Dodge site. I just don't remember see sooooo many complaints about the 2nd gen trucks as I do for the 3rd gen trucks. And the complaints about the 3rd gens appear to be more varied (i. e. more engine, injector, driveline, body) then ever before. Just don't seem right to me.

I'd like to see a true 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen complaint comparison chart.

Maybe we need a survey post for those who have owned two or more generation trucks and the number of complaints they had of each.



My concern is that from what I have been reading, I am loosing confidence in the new trucks and I will be in the market for a new one in two years or so and need to search out other options (GM will never be one for me based on the 1988 2500 fiasco I had). Maybe its time to see if I can get by with 2wd in a med. size truck ... which then opens up a whole new can of worms for me.

 

[rbattelle]

Just my opinion - take it or leave it

I believe the complaints we're seeing on the 3rd gen trucks is a culmination of several factors. Most prominent among them, in my opinion, is new users who: 1) have never owned a diesel, 2) expect too much "luxury", or 3) are not experienced enough mechanically to know the difference between "normal" and "abnormal" function. Case in point: the new threads we keep getting about the "charging problems" from new users who are not aware of the grid heater system. I'm not insulting anyone here, I'm just making some observations.



Unlike many of you here, I have actually met Jeff (only TDR member I've actually met in person!), and I can tell you that he fits exactly none of the aforementioned categories. I know that he works his truck very hard, and I believe his experiences with u-joints and front hubs indicate that these trucks are, perhaps, not built for quite the severe duty to which he subjects his DESPITE DODGE PUBLISHED RATINGS. The loads he tows are well within the vehicle's published maxima, but I believe he travels on more unpaved/undeveloped roads than many others out there who also tow but don't experience any premature failures.



I think we must bear in mind that although the engines (and probably the NV5600) in these trucks are "overbuilt", the remainder of the truck is built "just enough".



-Ryan

P. S. These are just my opinions and I mean no disrespect or insult to anyone here.

 

[Edgemann55]

Worst thing they ever did was make these quiet. Now yuppies buy them thinking it should be like there Lexus. Loved my 2001, love my 2005 even more. I have had some small problems but the cummins under the hood makes up for that.

 

[DPelletier]

Well, don't Chevy and Ford sell more than twice as many diesels then Dodge?

I would figure you would see a higher total of problems reported on their sites then the Dodge site. I just don't remember see sooooo many complaints about the 2nd gen trucks as I do for the 3rd gen trucks. And the complaints about the 3rd gens appear to be more varied (i. e. more engine, injector, driveline, body) then ever before. Just don't seem right to me.

I'd like to see a true 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen complaint comparison chart.

Maybe we need a survey post for those who have owned two or more generation trucks and the number of complaints they had of each.



My concern is that from what I have been reading, I am loosing confidence in the new trucks and I will be in the market for a new one in two years or so and need to search out other options (GM will never be one for me based on the 1988 2500 fiasco I had). Maybe its time to see if I can get by with 2wd in a med. size truck ... which then opens up a whole new can of worms for me.

The Dodge truck has way less problems than the others regardless of the total number sold. Do a search, there were two JD Power Survey results posted recently. The Dodge had half as many problems as the Duramax and 1000% less than the PSD. It isn't even close.

The 3rd gen trucks do have some issues, such as injector problems (rare), ball joints, u-joints and vibrations topping the list, but I seem to remember reading about lots of earlier problems that the 3rd gens don't have, such as; non functional rear drum brakes; bad steering boxes; track bars; the always memorable VP-44; etc.

While there are some 3rd gen issues (like all vehicles), the advantages outweigh the problems IMO. Advantages like; better steering; better brakes; better QC; more power; quieter; etc. I'll start your survey of 2nd gen vs. 3rd gen problems for you;

- my 2nd gen had: 3 clockspring replacements; one steering box; ball joints; lift pump and a track bar in 60,000 kms.

- My 3rd gen has needed: nothing in 36,000 kms





Ultimately I think the Dodge Cummins truck (particularly the 6spd) is by far the best choice out there despite any of the aforementioned issues. If the only things I have to replace are some ball joints and u-joints in the first 60,000 miles, I'll be a happy camper. I still have three Fords and one GM diesel and I'm painfully aware of what those trucks have needed in the same time frame.



Oh, and for those thinking that the new Toyota or Nissan 1 ton is going to be the best thing since sliced bread; They will never make a truck as heavy duty as our rams.

No japanese manufacturer will have a heavy, overbuilt inline 6 motor, equally heavy duty cast iron transmission, etc. If and when Japan ever builds a 12,000 GVWR one ton dually pickup truck (don't hold your breath), expect lots and lots of aluminum and just enough "heavy duty" to get thier ratings. It's just how thier engineers think. Of course it would cost twice as much as a CTD pickup anyhow.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[rbattelle]

Oh, and for those thinking that the new Toyota or Nissan 1 ton is going to be the best thing since sliced bread; They will never make a truck as heavy duty as our rams.

No japanese manufacturer will have a heavy, overbuilt inline 6 motor, equally heavy duty cast iron transmission, etc. If and when Japan ever builds a 12,000 GVWR one ton dually pickup truck (don't hold your breath), expect lots and lots of aluminum and just enough "heavy duty" to get thier ratings. It's just how thier engineers think. Of course it would cost twice as much as a CTD pickup anyhow.

I agree. Although I think future trucks from Nissan and Toyota will have some really neat and functional features (example - the integrated storage compartment on the Nissan Titan bed), they will be built even less over-engineered than US made trucks of the same class. When the Tundra came out the automotive press practically declared the demise of domestic trucks. Did that happen? No. In fact, I cannot recall ever seeing a Tundra being used for fleet duty. I think I saw one towing a small trailer once. I percieve they're mostly owned by people who want the occasional utility of a pickup bed for hauling couches but otherwise want to be in total comfort to and from work. I'm not saying any of this is "bad", it's just the "nature of the beast".



I think there's a general perception out there that a modern vehicle should be quiet, comfortable, refined, and completely free from bad habits. You should be able to turn the key and everything magically comes to life with absolutely no attention on the part of the owner other than to put gas in it once a week. Examples: dwindling zerk fittings and gauges that "conform to customer expectations".



Question: if the U-joints, ball joints, and front hubs had zerk fittings, would Jeff be having so much trouble with them?



-Ryan

 

[DPKetchum]

The BALL JOINT issue is also showing up on Ford sites. Bet same VENDOR. From what I've read the U/joint issue appears to be a lack of lube in them. I'd rather have the joints replaced(someone please pull the caps and add some lube)instead of whole new axel assembleys. Nissan deleated ZERKS in EVERTHING back in 86. 5 when the new NISSAN model chage from Datsun appeared. BUT they did have removal little bolts and zerks could be installed. Course customer had to pay for this. We use to get 70 240zs through 78 280zs that the rack and pinion would bind when turning in one direction. Tecnically they nneded new rack and pinion assemblys($600 plus)we would drill a hole in the tube,add a zerk and pump some grease into it(no warranty of course)for under $30. 00. Never had a complaint or a recheck or a problem from one we did this to. Fixed them slick as a whistle.

 

[JHardwick]

I feel the need to dispell a couple misconceptions here.



First off, my truck is paid for and I really can't afford to get back into a payment situation. Beyond that, I never said a Ford, Chevy or new Dodge would fix the problems. I paid $40,000 for this truck, why is selling the only real option to some of you guys? Are you so sold on the Cummins that you'll overlook the foil that it's wrapped in?



Secondly, I've owned a P/U since I was 16 and have never owned a car ... ... . unless you count the cars I bought my ex wife as mine. No Edgemann55, this is not my first CTD, and I do use my truck for more than a grocery getter. My girlfriend owns a P/U of her own BTW, it's an '01 Chevy and has never been back to the dealer :-laf



I've owned Chevy, Ford, Dodge and yes Toyota pickup trucks.



My basis for buying this '03 CTD was the experience that I had with my '99 CTD. My '99 had a tad over 100,000 miles on the ticker when I sold it to a friend. I had an injector pump go out and ball joints replaced on the '99 in 100,000 miles. The biggest problem with it was it was a 2x4 dually and I was always getting stuck. I needed a 4x4 dually. No, I don't four wheel a quad cab dually like I did some of my smaller trucks. But, I need to be in the fields and in less than ideal situations sometimes ... ... ... ... . loaded. Thats why you buy a truck right?



2003 CTD in 60,000 miles?



u-joints ... ... ... ... twice in the rear drive shaft (drive shaft replaced once) and once (now twice) in the front axle ... ... ... . the conception of a universal joint and drive shaft has been around for what 200 years? 500 years? maybe more? This is not cutting edge technology here.



Front hubs ... ... ... . again, an axle and wheel bearing of some sort has been around since the wheel was first developed, nothing new here either.



Heater doors ... ..... countless trips for this, lol. Heaters and blend doors have been put in vehicles since what the 20's? Earlier, later? No new technology here either, but essential when you can't see out the friggin windshield.



Reverse lights ... ... ... switch was good, something in the accuation mechanism wasn't, faced a switch down on a lathe to make it sit deeper into the transmission so I could see where I was backing ... ... ... dealer started to have a melt down over how to fix this one. Lights would work if I held pressure on the shifter, but go out if I let the pressure off.



The running boards being lame and the grill guard rusting twice? ... ... ... They were factory installed Mopar parts, but I'll chalk that up to experience and not buy dealer installed options like that anymore.



The alternator bracket ... ... ... design flaw, I can accept that. They tried to save the cost of a casting and replace with a stamped steel bracket, it failed.



The bolts holding the intercooler to the core support ... ... ... ..... I guess they coulda forgot to tighten them at the factory causing them to fall out and leave the intercooler to flop around.



Failed lumbar support in the premium leather seat ... ... ... . I think these have been around for at least 20 years. I have a replacement thanks to GNoel.



These are basic deals man! Nothing here is rocket science or cutting edge technology!! If you want to turn your head because it has a Cummins, so be it.



What I have turned my head to is the erratic high idle, intermittent chimes and "lamp out" or "check gages" and the occasional injector knock or voltmeter dropping to zero. The programming and pilot injection is (was in early '02 when I ordered) cutting edge ... ... ... ... I'll accept these bugs unless it causes me a problem like not being able see through the windshield in a $40,000. 00 vehicle while it vibrates my eye teeth out! I've never had a reflash and will not unless I have to.



These are basics man!

 

[JHardwick]

Worst thing they ever did was make these quiet. Now yuppies buy them thinking it should be like there Lexus. Loved my 2001, love my 2005 even more. I have had some small problems but the cummins under the hood makes up for that.

When I find myself in a 5-star restaurant, I'm in my best jeans and boots thinking ... ..... I can cook this meat waaaay better than this, LOL.



Here's savin an open saddle for ya anytime you want to do a 3 or 4 day ride horseback surviving on what you kill or what you can scavenge ... ... ... yup, I'm a yuppie ... ... ... ... ... big belly :-laf

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

1997 truck owner.

I just don't remember see sooooo many complaints about the 2nd gen trucks as I do for the 3rd gen trucks

Hmmm, I like an unbiased opinion. :-laf I have thoroughly enjoyed all my CTDs. Each has had its advantages and disadvantages. Thus far, outside of a couple of minor TSBs on the 98 (fusable link and steering box) and on the 04 (door weather strip) I haven't had any problems with 30K on the 04 and a combined 130K on the 2Gs.



I would admit there are times I have looked at the classifieds just to see if there is a stray 98 12v QC 3500 4x4 looking for a home. However, this is mainly a longing for the ol' 12v and I really wouldn't mind dumping my money into more real estate instead of payments. I'm not even interested in a 98. 5 - 02 2G again.



However, when I put the thinking cap on I realize, as Ryan previously said, the 3Gs good outweighs the bad. Most of my desquitude comes from the shear anticipation of something happening, e. g. the injectors (whats that noise?), or the slight vibe when I WOT up a hill (now is that the vibe everyone is worried about? Huh, seems more like a diesel truck with a solid rigid frame to me?), or wiggling the front wheels when rotating tires (Hmmm... no doesn't seem to be any play... yet?).



I call to rememberance how poorly the 2Gs steered stock without DW or trak bar needing replacement, the poorer gear ratios in the five speed (heck, and what can we say about the wonderful 47RE :-laf), the puny brakes on the 98, the VP44 waiting to leave me stranded, the annoying suicide QC doors. I think about the big disc brakes, the real four doors, the sweet steering, the suspension's amazingly smooth ride for a 1 ton (no comparison here), and I'm content with my decision once again. Hey, I've decided to wait for aftermarket ball and u-joints and if the engine hoses... . well I really would like to plant a 12v in one of these 3Gs



Perhaps my biggest problem is reading TDR posts instead of just driving my truck like I stole it. Man, I like that Cummins. I think the big three are asleep at the wheel not putting a 4bt(or equivalent) in a midsize buggy with fuel prices just waiting to ... oh well, thats another story.

 

[barbwire]

I had a "84" Ford F250 for 17 years. 6. 9 diesel. Had the heads off 3 times in the first 20,ooo miles. It burned oil like a SOB for the first 20,000 mi. to the tune of a qt. to 300 mi. Had to completely overhaul it at 140,000 mi. boreing it out 30 thou. at that time. It never had compression after that. "BUT I LOVED THAT TRUCK". It was an image thing here in Ford country. I will admit that I put it through hell, and it was completely worn out at 200,000 mi. But hey, it was a Ford. And , thinking about it now, I think I would still be driving it if it had a Cummins in it. It Had the heavy duty off road package in it and I think it proved itself after all the abuse I put it through.

But alas, here I am driving a 2004 Dodge, and putting on 70,000 miles a year, and only got to take it to the repair shop once for a minor infraction, "boring" :-laf . I guess that time and more miles will tell if I am talking to soon, but for now, it is the best pickup I have ever had, BAR NONE. Who knows, it could start falling apart soon, but I have my fingers crossed. I will admit that people wondered why I bought another Dodge, after having all the troubles I had with my 99. (troubles that I have ironed out for the most part). I guess some were built on a Monday!!!!!!!!!!