Injury with Catalyst full, time to give back

[MStrain]

I would be upset if my new truck wouldn't start but I wouldn't walk home in the snow especially with someone who is injured, I assume you have a cell phone and could have called a cab, yeah I know it would cost you money but thats life, sometimes you win sometimes you lose, there will always be more money, warm cab ride verse hiking in the snow is a no brainer to me, no matter the cost.

 

[PRattenbury]

I've had a lemon or 2 myself. One Chrysler product pops right to mind. The thing chucked a belt on one occasion and stranded my 8-1/2 month pregnant wife and 18 month old daughter on a 95-degree day in Virginia. Fortunately, she had the presence of mind to find a phone and call someone (me) and get a ride. That was before cell phones. That car had a 2. 2 liter 4 cylinder engine in it, and was not a first-year product. It was just a POS the dealer couldn't seem to fix. I even tried a different dealer to try and get it corrected. No soap. I could ill afford to trade it in on something else at the time, but that's what it came down to. I was angry, like you are now. But I manned up and took my lumps. Sorry for your similar-to-mine bad luck.

 

[RGrizzle]

"Not available on SRT, Diesel vehicles, Sprinter, Ram Chassis Cab, and certain fleet vehicles. ON PURCHASES BEGINNING 7/26/07"... ...

i bought my truck in august and used roadside assistance for my truck when the dipstck showed too full(turned out there was nothing wrong) in november . roadside most definately covers your truck and the number is in the owners manual . they were very helpful and kept calling every few minutes until someone arrived to help me .

 

[Bob4x4]

"Not available on SRT, Diesel vehicles, Sprinter, Ram Chassis Cab, and certain fleet vehicles. ON PURCHASES BEGINNING 7/26/07"... ...

My guess is that quote is for the lifetime warranty :-laf



Bob

 

[Jefff929]

I would be upset if my new truck wouldn't start but I wouldn't walk home in the snow especially with someone who is injured, I assume you have a cell phone and could have called a cab, *** warm cab ride verse hiking in the snow is a no brainer to me, no matter the cost.

says the LA man.

Come to my house and try and call a cab:-laf Are you one of those folks who believe Onstar works even when you have no cell service too? Hmmm, not such a no brainer...

 

[CSkal]

My guess is that quote is for the lifetime warranty :-laf

Bob

Yep, that's what that thar is...

 

[1mopardoc]

Bad timing

SBreaux, Sorry to hear about your unfortunate problems with your Dodge. This is definetly not the time to buy a diesel from any of the domestic three, all are having teething pains with the new emissions equipment (not just Dodge), and probably will for some time. You are just unfortunate enough to buy a diesel in the beggining of the new smog era. Many people have bought new trucks with no problems but you dont hear from happy people. I have a good friend that bought a new 05 Ford 6. 0 when I advised him not to due to all of the problems, and he has had none in 60k. Now I have to eat crow every time we meet. Its different for everyone, hope you sort it out.

 

[SBreaux]

Thanks,

1mopardoc,



The kind words are appreciated. My truck is at the dealer and they gave me loaner so I just have to hope for the best. I should have it back late this afternoon.



Take care... Steve

 

[MSicotte]

Hey Steve, I hope you and your wife are feeling better, hopefully thngs will work out with your truck. Just a note from a guy who fixes other people's trucks for a living. Never think that the techs working on your truck don't want to fix it, that what we're there for. The unfortunate thing is that sometimes with new technology, corporate support is less than forthcoming and often outdated. If its any consolation, when I worked for BMW, we had cars sitting dead on our lot for 3-4 weeks because BMW couldn't keep up with software issues. We would try the latest and greatest programming, and it would literally kill the car, completely unusable to the point of having to be pushed out of the shop and the drivers window taped up with plastic because we couldn't even power it back up. A lot of the guinea pig stuff is actually figued out by the techs working on the trucks or cars. Someone takes a wild stab at an unlikely fix and it works. A tech sheet is emailed to the so-called "tech support" guys, and a bulletin or fix comes out weeks or months later. I know its frustrating, but give the guys a chance to work it out. Just my . 05 Good luck, Cheers

 

[Freebore]

MarcS,



I know exactly what you are talking about as I work in corporate America and know people working those exact software issues for customers. As engineers, we want the fixes to be right before the product gets to the field, but many times it doesn't happen that way as marketing/management push to get it out the door and get revenue coming in. A lot of truth in waiting for the first gen vehicles to get the bugs worked out before buying. I bought a 1981 320 BMW when it first came out and it happened with it, this 6. 7 appears to have similar issues.

 

[MSicotte]

An 1981 320?, If you think you had problems with that, you'd want to kill youself if you had a 2002 745i. It is officially refered to by the techs who fix them as the worst car BMW ever made. They actually had to extend the warranty (doubled it I seem to recall, bumper to bumper) as a piece offering to those unfortunate enough to own one. Oo.

 

[Loren]

Steve,



Sorry to hear about your spills on the walk home. I can't believe that there are TDR members who want you to think that the problems you are experiencing with your new truck are your fault because you were soooo foolish as to buy a Dodge. Oh, excuse me, I mean a new Dodge. Oh, wait a minute, I mean a Dodge with a new engine design. You know you can't expect Cummins to design an engine and emissions system right the first time, can you? You know that you can't expect Dodge to be able to fix these problems, can you? And wouldn't every reasonable person be happy to pay a year's wages for a vehicle that won't even get you to and from work?



What absurd comments.



You said earlier that you are not the type to sue, but you should be talking to a lawyer by now. (No, I'm not a lawyer. ) Your walk home with injuries after being stranded by a truck that Dodge has been unable to fix would play well with a jury. Your lawyer will know this and Dodge will know this. Hiring a lawyer will get Dodge's attention.



Now that you know about the toll-free number for roadside assistance, I assume that you will be using it EVERY TIME your truck fails. After a while, Dodge will learn that they are paying a lot of money to tow your truck. Maybe, just maybe, that will motivate them to consider your situation more carefully.



Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Loren

 

[JHersh]

Loren- Save the sarcasm. I believe there have been alot of great posts on this interesting thread, and it seems that two general concepts have been surfacing- we are still free individuals that have to be responsible for ALL of our decisions, and BUYER BEWARE. Now, by saying 'buyer beware' I am talking in every sense of the phrase including knowing and understanding rights and or services you have bought (roadside assitance). And as for not buying an 'emissions engine', please understand that most of the members here are diesel engine and or truck/ pickup enthusiasts or proffesionals and that most of the members understand the industry and markets. However, I understand the jist of your sarcasm, and no one is implying that SBreaux was foolish for buying a new engine or a new pickup. But if most members here were dropping 50 grand for a new vehicle you can be damn sure they would be damn sure of what they were buying, including warranty and assistance. DC I'm sure will make good on the warranty- they are legally bound (they even offered roadside assistance, which is not required by law). As for the cold walk home and the injury- DC had nothing to do w/ the decision that landed SBreaux and his wife in the snow. Even if the vehicle had failed a thousand miles from anywhere, SBreaux purchased a warranty that does'nt hold DC resposible for where it fails. So Loren, I hope you are getting the jist of this post- most of us are suprised that SBreaux and others have the audacity to blame DC or Cummins for the walk home and the injury- it could have been avoided- the broken truck has nothing to do w/ it. I don't care if he returns the truck or does not like it- that is his opinion and right. And as for sarcasm, you got any more sound legal advice for anyone else?

 

[SBreaux]

I want to thank everyone for their contribution to this thread. I certainly never intended for this topic to generate any ill feelings toward anyone.



I accept full responsibility for my decisions in what happened to me and my wife. The trust and belief in the truck was based on what I as the consumer was and was not told by the dealer and Dodge.



Thanks... Steve

 

[Loren]

JHersh,



I agree (and apparently so does Steve) that Steve's decision to walk home in the snow and ice was his own, and he is responsible for the outcome. He could have chosen to get alternative transportation, maybe even from the TDR Companion.



My gripe about many of the posts on this thread is that many posters are trying either to blame Steve or to absolve Dodge/Cummins of responsibility for the failure of Steve’s truck to perform as advertised. You say, “... no one is implying that SBreaux was foolish for buying a new engine or a new pickup. ” Did you read this post?:

Second, sounds like this isn't your first truck. Have you noticed over the decades, that first year models by ANY if not all manufacturers tend to have teething problems. I know I considered it and purposely bought an '06 5. 9 because of it. This is called due dilligence, nobody held a gun to your head and made you spend your $50k on this truck. Heck, all I did was look under the hood and under the truck. That told me right off, somebody, or a lot of someboy's were going to be guinea pigs for Dodge.



Learn something from this rather than blame somebody.

That sounds like someone trying to blame Steve to me.



I also agree that Dodge will do its best to make Steve’s truck run properly. Actually, that’s not quite true. They will do almost everything they can EXCEPT take it back, which seems to be what Steve wants. Lemon laws were passed for a reason. Before these laws, vehicle manufacturers NEVER took back a vehicle. Now, in extraordinary circumstances, they can be forced to. In the meantime, they will require Steve to keep his expensive truck, which he no longer trusts to get him to his destination, and to deliver it, at his expense, to the dealer numerous times for repairs that don’t seem to be fixing anything.



As I read his comments, his complaint is that he bought an expensive truck. It didn’t come with any caveats regarding how he is supposed to drive it, or how he is NOT supposed to drive it. He is driving it the way he wants and the truck won’t run. Further, he complains that Dodge is unable to fix the truck in what he considers a reasonable time. I don’t see where any of this can be blamed on Steve, yet we get posts like these:



Post #7:

Are you sure the truck is being used as a truck or just 1. 3 miles to the store all week.



... If you don’t drive them accordingly I don’t see how that translates into the manufacturers problem.

Post #30:

... Many parts were outsourced, how much control does Dodge or Cummins have in their quality control?

Post #32:

No matter what model of Dodge Cummins driven going back to the original, predominately taking short trips will take a toll after awhile. Many on this board do use their trucks for short commuting distances, but the importance of taking the truck on a long drive at highway speeds at least once every 2 weeks has been emphasized many times.

Post #37:

Quit crying over spilled milk, go buy the new diesel pick-up from some other company, that will solve all your problems

All of these posts, in one way or another, are trying to shift blame for his problems to Steve. I’m not buying it.



Here’s some more legal advice: If you want legal advice, contact a lawyer. (Isn’t that what I already said?)



Loren

 

[LHarper]

Steve, sorry to read of the problems your having with your new Dodge. I have been in your place with Chevrolet and Ford trucks. Not a fun place to find yourself. My present truck is a 2005 Dodge Cummins and has been perfect. I usually trade Dodge trucks every two years but because of reading posts just like yours, I will keep my present Dodge until I am confident that Dodge and Cummins have corrected these problems. I completely agree with everything you have stated in your different posts. I have enjoyed each of my Dodge Cummins trucks and it saddens me to read posts like yours. Both for you, Dodge and Cummins. I sincerely hope that Dodge and your dealership step up to the table and provide you with a truck that is dependable. There is no excuse for anything less. Best of luck Steve and please keep us posted. Lonnie

 

[JasonCzerak]

mattymac,



I would feel the same no matter where I fell, or not fallen if the truck had issues. My wife and I had to abandon the truck, and walk in the ice since the truck failed. Had the truck not failed, we would have had transportation home, and I would not have had to watch my wife suffer.



I certainly don't blame the store for my truck failing, or the components it was manufactured with. Chrysler built the truck, and made all the choices and decisions about its quality, manufactureing, and dependability.

Are you seriously blaming the truck's failure for your injuries? Where is your personal responsibility? Where is your lack of judgment and common sense?



Correct procedure, especially if your wife is already ill is to call a taxi, or call your insurance company to have the truck towed, I'm sure an extra 1. 3 miles out of the way the driver would of dropped you both off at your residence and then the truck to the dealership. Then you can get refunded for all fees from the dealership and/or insurance company.



Heck, call a friend of family member to come get you!



If you can afford a $50,000 truck surley the safe trip home properly is worth every $$$ spent. Sounds very foolish and abused of hte system if you seriously intend to go after Chrysler for any amount of money for your injuries.



As far as I'm concerned and any logically thinking judge/jury would rule against you. You brought the injuries on your self, not the truck. Infact, Go sue the city and residences for not shoveling their walk ways, that's more correct then Chrysler.



Sorry to come off like and A-hole here but some folks just don't think.



However, I agree with the most of you, you should be able to drive any truck like this 1 mile a day every day and have ZERO issues. However, you are doing more damage then good not letting the thing warm up and be driven. I won't go to the grocery store with my truck with out taking a 20 minute detour, especially in the winter months, I grab the GF's car, it get's warmed up in that first 1. 5 miles being a little 4 banger turbo and all.

 

[catoiler]

Jason, read his post he is not going after chrysler or anybody else for the injuries! He is ticked off that the truck keeps having problems that the dealer won't or can't take care of. I don't care what they say any car or truck should be able to driven to the store or where ever 1 mile or 50 miles without any excessive warm up. The ones complaning about not finding ulsd and driving all over the place to find it are nuts also ,if they sell a truck in that area it must be ok to run the fuel at the local stations. Was their any notice saying you must drive 100 miles to get fuel for it I think not!

 

[JasonCzerak]

Jason, read his post he is not going after chrysler or anybody else for the injuries! He is ticked off that the truck keeps having problems that the dealer won't or can't take care of. I don't care what they say any car or truck should be able to driven to the store or where ever 1 mile or 50 miles without any excessive warm up. The ones complaning about not finding ulsd and driving all over the place to find it are nuts also ,if they sell a truck in that area it must be ok to run the fuel at the local stations. Was their any notice saying you must drive 100 miles to get fuel for it I think not!

Well, I suppose. I read it as it was the trucks fault. Well, half my point stands atleast. Should of called a cab.

 

[kglenn]

I think he already knows he probly made a bad judgment call, I do that at least one time a day. It is always easy to look back on what we should have done. As for as accepting that it is just a new truck and we should accept these new problems is bull. We should not expect to have these problems. We pay more money every year for the development and testing of these new and better trucks that are advertised to be more dependable than ever only to be doing the testing ourselves and paying for it. As for Dodge working hard to satisfy the customer and fix known problems... ... look at all of us trying to keep our pumps on our second gens. running. Yes, I myself continually watch my fuel pressure waiting to replace another lift pump. Did Dodge ever step up to the plate and actually fix the problem? No. We keep driving them and they just keep on putting them out. We accepted it and that is how it will be from now on. don't rag on someone just because they are not happy with their truck. This is the Manufactures fault, not the buyer and driver in this situation.