Injury with Catalyst full, time to give back

[SBreaux]

Team,



It was not long ago that I wrote about possibly giving the truck back. Yesterday at 5:30pm, my wife who had major abdonminal surgery on Dec 4, asked to go for a ride. She had been couped up as I since that time recovering.



There were some meds at Walgreens I needed to get so she asked if she could ride. I loaded her in the truck, and off we went. The store is only 1. 3 miles away thankfully.



After we got the items from Walgreens, we got back in the truck and when I started the truck, the console showed catalyst at 80% full, and when I placed the truck in reverse the meter went to 100% full and died. The truck would not start. We had to abandon the truck and walk 1. 3 miles home in the ice and remaining snow. Along the way I fell and busted myself and my wife fell and hurt herself as well. This was terrible to experience.



This morning I called the dealer and shared this same story. They called DC who said sorry, but maybe I should get another flash (just did the G30), and then run my truck 60 miles to insure the truck is burning the soot or whatever is plugged to cause the error and truck stoppage. They would come get the truck.



I explained to the dealer that I felt if the truck was going to be unreliable, and needed constant truck flashes, and added expense of driving 60 miles on regular basis, meaning weekly at my expense, and still not know if my truck is going to run, that DC needs this truck more than I. I want my money back. My wife is injured, and so am I. For 50K I expected something better.



Am I expecting to much, or should I demand what I paid for and not be an R/D project for DC.



Thanks, for listening.



Steve

 

[catoiler]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you and the wife are fine. If it were me I would have called the phone number on the customer card and had them tow it to the dealer and demanded they give you a loaner. Don't like walking around in the ice any more than have to. I would get ahold of a lawyer and talk to them about lemmon lawing the truck if it meets the requirments and also about the injurys. I have the same thoughts as you but mine is about the traction light comming on all the time and the truck stumbling when it does and the milage is the worst in any truck I have owned gas or diesel!

 

[mattymac]

If you would have fallen down on the way in or out of the store would you still feel this way about the truck? Or would you feel the same way if you hadnt fallen down on the walk home?

 

[SBreaux]

Redhibition, Warranty (Magnuson-Moss hopefully will do it

Thank you Catoiler. Maybe under redhibition, contracts, Magnus-Moss, or some other guideline, since all warranty repairs have to be at no cost to the consumer. The way it looks to me, if the dealer attempts repairs to the vehicle, and then drives the truck 60 miles to test drive it, and having the consumer bear the cost of the fuel and wear and tear to the vehicle, then the manufacture has failed their warranty clause. As the cost of some of the repair has been cast to the consumer, and not paid by DC for their defective product. This does not include loss of use, and income for those that make their living with trucks.



Then there is the "purchased for intended purpose", and the truck fails again, as it now has proven itself unreliable as transportation. The boards, forums, and Chrysler's own TSB line reports the failures, as well as definining should the purchaser fail to complete the warranty repairs, the warranty can be cancelled. This again bears cost on the purchaser. The vehicle is no longer dependable, or can be used for its purchased intent. The manufacturer nevers discloses the manufacturer has produced a resell item than can and does require the consumer to bear cost for some of the repair. DC also does not disclose the vehicle could strand the consumer, with the consumer bearing some of the cost of DC's manufactured product while under warranty repair.



I could go on, but all I really want is what I paid for. I never had a weekly issue with GMC, or the cost. Also when buyers pay more, they expect to get more. It is obvious the Dodge truck is not even 2007 ready given all the flashes and fixes required. Dodge also charged a heavy premium for emissions 2010 ready (BlueTec) engine. Dodge failed that as well since Chrysler is continually having ECM, PCM, TCM and so on just to try and make it a running vehicle with current emissions.



Sorry for the ramble, but given the short time I have owned this Dodge, it has given me more trouble and pain than all the vehicles I have purchased in the last 10 years.

 

[SBreaux]

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.

 

[Bob4x4]

Thank you Catoiler. Maybe under redhibition, contracts, Magnus-Moss, or some other guideline, since all warranty repairs have to be at no cost to the consumer. The way it looks to me, if the dealer attempts repairs to the vehicle, and then drives the truck 60 miles to test drive it, and having the consumer bear the cost of the fuel and wear and tear to the vehicle, does require the consumer to bear cost for some of the repair. DC also does not disclose the vehicle could strand the consumer, with the consumer bearing some of the cost of DC's manufactured product while under warranty repair.

.

You should not have had to pay for the fuel they used during the forced regen procedure. Dodge will reimburse the dealer up to 4 gallons of fuel.

Contact your dealer and remind them of that.



Bob

 

[dodgeguy44]

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

These are trucks and as such these engines are made to go out and work. To be run long enough to bring them, including the exhaust on the newer trucks, up to temperature to get rid of or "burn off", the emissions collected during warm up.

I know the dealer selling these as "cars" won't tell you that but remember they are only in it for profit for them, not for the consumer. If you don't drive them accordingly I don't see how that translates into the manufacturers problem. If you buy a Dakota and decide to pull a 30 foot 5th wheel trailer and it can't, is that Chrysler's fault as well.

This truck needs to be worked or driven at highway speed for a period of time to "burn off " these emissions.

Hope you both recover soon.

 

[KCloward]

Ask the dealer if they have any used 06 on the lot. Still has the 5. 9L and you'll love the truck. See if they can make you a deal on a trade in.



Bryce

 

[SBreaux]

Dodgeguy44..

It shouldn't matter if I drove 1/10th a mile every day, and did it empty. There is never anything stated, suggested, or written that says "these" trucks have to be driven pulling a certain weight, and driven certain speeds. In fact, the truck doesn't have to pull anything. The dealer is the front, and only door to Chrysler, Dodge, or any make of DC products.



Had I been told to pull a tow of 10k pounds or more every week or don't buy the truck, I would have not purchased the truck. Had the dealer said drive every week 70 miles per hour for one hour, I would not have purchased the truck. If the dealer told me that I needed to bring my truck in every week for flashes and recalls, I would not have purchased the truck. Yes, if I decided to pull a 30ft trailer, I guarentee Dodge says how many pounds any car or truck, even a Dakota they manufacture can tow. That is a manufacture design and stated guarentee. DC would certainly not guarentee or repair a vehicle that was proven to have towed more than specifed.



Dodge trucks are a cost factor beyond the purchase price, and more than just "in case something breaks". Dodge trucks are being refined at consuner expense today.



All opinions are appreciated. I hope someone has better luck with their Dodge truck than I.



Thanks,



Steve

 

[TKeeler]

Dodge trucks are being refined at consuner expense today.

This is very true and pretty discouraging to say the least considering the cost of the truck, the price of diesel and I consider my time to be worth something. I picked up my truck in early May and never had it back to a service center until the G30 recall came out. So on 11/30 I got that taken care of along with the 'latest' reflash. Up to that point I had only seen the ETC light come on a couple of times several months ago. Since the reflash on 11/30 I have twice seen the CEL and a P242 code, both times it cleared easily. Now I am hearing there is yet another reflash since I was in on 11/30. :-{} I am beginning to wonder if these reflashes will ever end. It looks like we are being used as test dummies in a lot of cases.



I had no other reason to go in for the G30 recall other than at the request of Dodge... maybe they should start paying for the fuel it takes to get there and back and some of our time. Or I guess we could drive the truck until it completely dies then call the 800 number.



There are a lot of things I really like about this truck, far more than I dislike, but this DPF stuff and the lack of information from Dodge about it is pretty frustrating. #@$%!

 

[SBreaux]

2007.5 3500 Mega Cab DRW for Sale...!!!!

Truck has 2800 miles, perfect shape except what I describe in this thread. The truck listed at $52000, paid $43240. Anyone interested is welcome to it. I have the dealer window sticker and cashiers check from the bank I paid.

I will just buy me something else that has better appeal about being as dependable as I expect. Truck is two months old. Any buyers?

Steve

 

[2broke2smoke]

If you buy a Dakota and decide to pull a 30 foot 5th wheel trailer and it can't, is that Chrysler's fault as well.



This truck needs to be worked or driven at highway speed for a period of time to "burn off " these emissions.

ridiculous ... dodge does have guidelines regarding how much the dakota can pull ...



they have no guidelines whatsoever that state the cummins has to be driven any minimum amount of time ...



sounds like all the incredible excuses 6. 0 owners come up with ...



i've drove every cummins i've had the way i want to ... not the way dodge or cummins tells me i'm supposed to ...



and i've heard plenty of similiar dpf problems from hotshotters as well ...





SBreaux, hope everything works out fine for you and your wife

 

[Jeepstang]

I am writing to say that most of my trucks trips are for about 1 mile twice a day to take my child to daycare and back home. we live in an area with some of the worst traffic in the country and often the truck idles for long periods of time. Several times it has been more than an hour. my wife has asthma and AC is mandatory on hot days. I would say on an average I tow 5-7k a few times a month. It has been used several times a week or sometimes no towing at all for over one month. I have not had any issues and I have never seen a catalyst full or a percentage full on my overhead. I may be wrong but a good friend of mine is a Dodge tech and is the top tech at his dealership and said they told him in school that the biggest problem they have is people running the wrong fuel and often the pumps that claim to have ULSD have LSD in them. I have said this in the past that ULSD is difficult to find in my area unless you are near the highway in most cases. You wonder where I live? 10 miles from Washington DC the place where all these stupid laws get passed imagine that! I would highly recommend having a fuel sample taken and tested now before adding any more fuel to see what is in your tank.

Unfortunately it may void your warranty claim but it would sure be a piece of mind knowing if it was the fuel or something else causing this issue I have almost 8k on my truck now and by far the majority of its use is in town and stuck in traffic.

 

[sag2]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. If you get the latest flash you should be in much better shape. It has logic that actually reduces the amount of soot being generated to below the amount that is being burned off at idle. And the customer CD that explains the new emissions and the regeneration process is going to be sent to dealers soon, and then to all customers.

Unfortunately it seems these things are too little too late, but all the manufacturers were required to meet the new standards. They are not going to miss out on sales until all the bugs are worked out. That is just the reality of the free market. You have to admit that very few people are having trouble, most with unusual duty cycles like yours. It is something that can not be anticipated by any manufacturer.

As for your injuries, regardless of the circumstances, you decided to make a bad choice. No one made you attempt the walk home. To try and recover from Dodge as the result of your choice just adds to the expense of cars and trucks for all of us. I don't mean to sound unkind, but my dad always taught me to be be responsible for my actions. Hopefully Dodge will, and you will also.

 

[TKeeler]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. If you get the latest flash you should be in much better shape. It has logic that actually reduces the amount of soot being generated to below the amount that is being burned off at idle. And the customer CD that explains the new emissions and the regeneration process is going to be sent to dealers soon, and then to all customers.

Unfortunately it seems these things are too little too late, but all the manufacturers were required to meet the new standards. They are not going to miss out on sales until all the bugs are worked out. That is just the reality of the free market. You have to admit that very few people are having trouble, most with unusual duty cycles like yours. It is something that can not be anticipated by any manufacturer.

As for your injuries, regardless of the circumstances, you decided to make a bad choice. No one made you attempt the walk home. To try and recover from Dodge as the result of your choice just adds to the expense of cars and trucks for all of us. I don't mean to sound unkind, but my dad always taught me to be be responsible for my actions. Hopefully Dodge will, and you will also.

What is the description or ID of the latest reflash and when was it released?



I have been hearing about the CD now for months so I will believe it when I see it. #@$%! It's probably pretty difficult to finalize a CD when the content keeps changing... if you know what I mean.



If there are any Dodge Corporate Officers monitoring this website or someone on the inside of Dodge take note of what the customers are saying and wake up before it's too late. :-{}

 

[HBarlow]

As for your injuries, regardless of the circumstances, you decided to make a bad choice. No one made you attempt the walk home. To try and recover from Dodge as the result of your choice just adds to the expense of cars and trucks for all of us. I don't mean to sound unkind, but my dad always taught me to be be responsible for my actions. Hopefully Dodge will, and you will also.

Well said.



Steve you asked a question and I'll offer my opinion in answer. I don't think you will have much luck demanding that your dealer "take the truck back. " It doesn't work that way. You are what is commonly called an owner. You bought it and now you own it. Auto dealers do not offer money back 30 day guarantees like Wal-Mart.



If you paid cash it is a done deal, no recourse except under the Lemon Laws of your state if there are such laws in your state and if your truck meets the requirements. It clearly does not at this point. Or I guess you could file a lawsuit. Unless you win a lawsuit against the manufacturer and the court orders Dodge to buy the truck back the truck is yours. From what you have reported that will simply not happen now.



If you financed the truck and return it or allow it to be repossessed the lender will sell it at auction at a significant loss and file a suit against you for the difference. If you don't pay they lender will obtain a judgement and file a lien against real property you own. None of this is a desireable outcome.



If you really don't want the truck I'd suggest trying real hard to sell or trade it.



Harvey

 

[wcjp]

While I like my 06'. If it did this to me it would be gone. Either go 12v, GMC or the possible upcoming Toyota diesel.



Sorry for you and your wife.

 

[catoiler]

With all the problems these trucks have I would think that a class action suit might be the way to go.

 

[jimnance]

While I sympathise with the poster, I think he needs to work through the system. Yes, 50K is a lot of money for a vehicle that is not proving reliable. Ask some Ford 6. 0 owners how they felt about their vehicles reliability.



The key difference here is that we are talking about the first year of production of an almost entirely new engine. Few new engines come out without a few warts. The new emissions system on the new Dodge is perhaps the most complex new design introduced in recent memory.



I hate to say this, but one should not be surprised with some problems with a new design.



I do fault Dodge for failing to more agressively support the owners of these trucks. They need to step up to the plate.



However, they have new owners that claim the firm is "operationaly bankrupt". Not good words, and it appears there may be some truth to the statement.



The Dodge venture has a number of problems on it's plate including the solvency of the company. While not an excuse for failing to support their product better, it does explain some of the behavior we've seen from them. They've got to keep the company afloat, and to do that they need to retain their past customers. Hopefully, someone there pays attention to the bad press they are getting and they take notice.



Also, while there are problems with the engine, it does not appear to be as wide-spread as those with the Ford (Navistar) 6. 0 engine. I for one have not experienced any difficulties yet. I also know the parts manager at the local dealership very well and he says they have seen a few DPF issues, but not a significant number relative to the number of '07. 5 CTD's they've sold.



Lets hope D. C. get's their act together for those owners that are having problems.

 

[navyramman]

I too know this is the case with me, I haul 7500 gals of fuel for a fuel Co everyday. and I haul my own fuel too, so I know what I am getting. My holding tanks are inside and do not sit underground or in the sun. same temp all the time. I burn B-11 (11 % bio fuel ULSD) I too have never seen anything of a % or need to drive to burn out. I get 20 mpg at 55, 17 mpg at 75mph. 10 mpg towing a 4000 lb horse trailer at 75 mph (no horse inside). My tail pipe is as clean inside as the day I picked it up, brite silver, (my dad rubs his hand in it looking for the black) he has an 04 dodge.

It has to do with the fuel. fuel stations out there lie all the time. most in IL pump out B-11 (it is $0. 14 per gal cheaper to buy no state tax) but do not tell you, no law makes them BUT,. The law only makes them tell you it is red (off road) or clear (hwy use) and low suf (LSD more then 15 but not more then 500 ppm) or ULSD (less then 15 ppm). MOST (but not all) of the stations around St. Louis will gets ULSD.