Truck Problems... wow

[mlewis73]

I was reading another thread and am amazed at the number and assortment of kinds of truck problems folks are having.



It seems like every system on the truck could have a problem.



That's starting to shake my desire to sell my old truck before having the Dodge for a year or so. It looks like folks are having lots of problems, some of which are expensive to fix and MOST of which should not happen on a truck with less than 3 years and 100,000 miles of service.



I really want a Ram 3500, but I'm starting to get a bit shaken... . looks like durability is crap.

 

[jwduke]

The problems that some guys have are minor, really.



Go check out the forums where the discuss Ford's with Powerstroke Diesels, and Chevrolet/GMC's with the Duramax diesels. They have lots of problems, also, some a LOT WORSE!



For the record, my '04. 5 hasn't been to the shop for anything.

 

[nick05]

right now with just 12K on my 05 i have just had the power steering line leak a little but replaced by the dealer. no problems since. even after my add-ons.

the problems i think are just like every new product that comes out, your gonna have certain kinks and failures because everyone is doing something different. otherwise i'm happy with my invesment.



nick

 

[mlewis73]

right now with just 12K on my 05 i have just had the power steering line leak a little but replaced by the dealer. no problems since. even after my add-ons.

the problems i think are just like every new product that comes out, your gonna have certain kinks and failures because everyone is doing something different. otherwise i'm happy with my invesment.



nick

I guess the other issue is, how generous is Dodge with warranty replacement, and does the first trip to Dodge fix the problem?



Impressions on long term reliability once any bugs are worked out under warranty??





Mike

 

[ohnoitsyu]

My 06 had a leak. Since the fluid was red, and it was coming from the bell housing, I thought it was transmission fluid. I took it to the dealer. No prob, since I still have my 98 gasser (they don't offer loaners). Well, on my second night, my gasser developed a major coolant leak - a 1" hose under the AC compressor split open, emptying all the coolant in a couple minutes. I made it home, and was able to replace the hose (thanks to a 24hr Autozone).



The leak on my 06 was also a coolant leak. It was a loose clamp on the hose just behind the turbo/exhaust manifold. It was dripping down the bell housing. They tightened the clamp, and I have my truck back. I'm glad that I still had my old truck while I work through the idiosyncrasies of a new truck.

 

[ssanders60]

Lotsa problems

I'll probably get slammed for this but you shouldn't be influenced

by what you read in all of these truck forums, including articles

in Truck Trend. If you want a 3500 CTD, just remember you won't

be owning a truck that has parts such as the turbo, intake

hoses, and many other parts sitting on top of the engine, so many

that you can't see the engine, all of which are self destructing under

the tremendous amount of heat when the engine is under load.

As far as all of the injector problems you read about in the Ram,

forget'em, mine has loped, bumped, sounded uneven, everything

but smoked and all it took to fix it was a road trip. Also those

other trucks have an Exhaust Gas Recirculation system that you

don't want any part of. These are the things that I observed before

purchasing a truck, however I must admit I did like the 2500

GMC.



'03 CTD Ram, H/O quad cab, SLT 4x4.

 

[MCrossley]

I don't think there are realy that many problmes we do not see all that many diesels with issues at the dealer but some things will happen, I would much rather have a few of these minor bugs than some of the really big issues that Ford is having.....

 

[BHolm]

Lots of problems? Like what for instance? I currently have two, an '03 and an '06 and have had four third gen trucks total that have accumulated over 250k miles. My '03 dually has been worked hard from day one. Other than tires, brakes and fluid changes the only repair it has needed were some ball joints. The '05 needed one injector at 5k miles and then nothing for the next 25k until it was traded for the '06. I also own a '99 F-350 diesel, that has been a great truck as well. I tried to like the Chevy's in '01 and '03 and had 10 times the problems with those trucks. As mentioned, if you think TDR lists issues, try the Ford and GM lists like this. The Duramax and Powerstroke have had WAY more issues, big engine issues the Cummins just doesn't have. I am generally not a big brand loyal fan. I had major problems with my '92 Dodge Cummins, the engine was the ONLY good part of that truck. It took ten years to get me back into one. Now I think they are by far the best trucks on the road.

 

[Coolslice]

I know how you feel. I've had my truck for almost 2 years and it's starting to have problems on a regular basis. Problems that it shouldn't have at 27k easy, well maintained miles. Lots of guys are content with their trucks to have problems, but thats likely because it's what they are used to.



Coming from owning Toyota's for many years, I have come to expect quality on a differnet level then most Dodge owners that I know. Some people don't want to hear it, but Dodge has some quality issues. What is disturbing is that many problems that Dodge Rams have are problems that they have had for years. For some reason, they refuse to address them. I am giving Dodge a fair shake, but if I continue to have to go to the dealer every 2 months with a $46k truck then I won't be in a Dodge for much longer.



Flame on! :-laf

 

[MCrossley]

I don't think anyone is disagreeing with you but...

I am not content with problems but if I am going to have them I would rather have the types that the Dodge's have not the kind that GM and ford are because their problems seem to leave you on the side of the road a lot more than those that we have. In 159k my 01 was towed 1 time that time was because I ran out of fuel and could not get it restarted... Just remeber the grass is not always greener on the other side. As far as Toyota well that is a point that is holding less meritt day by day I know plenty of people with new toyotas with MAJOR problems like as in I have 3 good friends who have lemon law'd theirs so not so sure that holds so true anymore. Someone mention on here the gap in quality is very quickly closing.

I know how you feel. I've had my truck for almost 2 years and it's starting to have problems on a regular basis. Problems that it shouldn't have at 27k easy, well maintained miles. Lots of guys are content with their trucks to have problems, but thats likely because it's what they are used to.



Coming from owning Toyota's for many years, I have come to expect quality on a differnet level then most Dodge owners that I know. Some people don't want to hear it, but Dodge has some quality issues. What is disturbing is that many problems that Dodge Rams have are problems that they have had for years. For some reason, they refuse to address them. I am giving Dodge a fair shake, but if I continue to have to go to the dealer every 2 months with a $46k truck then I won't be in a Dodge for much longer.



Flame on! :-laf

 

[Coolslice]

I am not content with problems but if I am going to have them I would rather have the types that the Dodge's have not the kind that GM and ford are because their problems seem to leave you on the side of the road a lot more than those that we have. In 159k my 01 was towed 1 time that time was because I ran out of fuel and could not get it restarted... Just remeber the grass is not always greener on the other side. As far as Toyota well that is a point that is holding less meritt day by day I know plenty of people with new toyotas with MAJOR problems like as in I have 3 good friends who have lemon law'd theirs so not so sure that holds so true anymore. Someone mention on here the gap in quality is very quickly closing.

I agree, the problems that I have had are not major but they are problems none the less. To me, a problem is a problem and the whole idea of rationalizing them based on severity proves my point exactly. It doesn't have to involve a tow truck to be considered a problem in my book.



I don't know if I can go along with your opinion of Toyota. I'm not claiming they are trouble free, but there is no comparison in quality between DC and Toyota. I don't think that the big three losing money left and right while Toyota is posting record numbers every year is a coincidence. People have found out what is reality IMO. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a known problem with a Toyota vehicle that has been present for years and has not had an attempt to be fixed. . Things on the level of LP's, U-joints, ball joints, and carrier bearings. Things that commonly fail in the first few thousand miles and have no real solution.



Don't get me wrong, I love my truck but it is not made as well as trucks I have owned in the past. That really comes into focus when I know that I paid over double for this truck then I did for my last truck. I should not have 3 leaks under it and already have a list of parts that have failed within the first 25k miles. Just my opinion.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I don't know if I can go along with your opinion of Toyota. I'm not claiming they are trouble free, but there is no comparison in quality between DC and Toyota.

. . and there is no comparison between a 2500/3500 Dodge Ram and a Toyota Tundra. The Tundra CANNOT routinely, day in/day out, do the work that the Dodge Ram CTD can.



I bought my truck to work hard - not be a grocery getter.



Except for a leaky injector within the first 3,000 miles, my 2004 has been without a problem. It has almost 43k miles on it. My interior does not squeak or rattle. Neither does anything on the exterior. Many miles have been towing heavy loads or carrying a Lance Camper - even over rough dirt roads.

 

[JasonBrown]

According to today's webstats there are 26,706 members of the TDR. Of those how many have 3rd gen trucks and how many have actually had a problem. They say that an unhappy customer will tell 10 people and a happy customer will only tell 1 or 2 so I would venture a guess that most people who have posted to the site did so BECAUSE they had a problem, either to share it or try to get help resolving it. So just reading the threads here is not an accurate picture. Maybe someone needs to do a pole of members on how many trucks have been trouble free vs. problematic. I think it would be an eye opener.

 

[Coolslice]

. . and there is no comparison between a 2500/3500 Dodge Ram and a Toyota Tundra. The Tundra CANNOT routinely, day in/day out, do the work that the Dodge Ram CTD can.



I bought my truck to work hard - not be a grocery getter.



Except for a leaky injector within the first 3,000 miles, my 2004 has been without a problem. It has almost 43k miles on it. My interior does not squeak or rattle. Neither does anything on the exterior. Many miles have been towing heavy loads or carrying a Lance Camper - even over rough dirt roads.

You are exactly right. I'm not comparing apples to oranges, I'm just talking about overall build quality and the quality of the parts of the truck. For an actual comparison of trucks, things would have to be on more of a level playing field. .



I wish I was as lucky as you. My truck has more squeaks and rattles then I can count! It's comical! :-laf Good thing I have the upgraded stereo pkg.

At the end of the day, I still love my truck though. It just needs to get it's act together before I lose my patience. :-laf

 

[Coolslice]

According to today's webstats there are 26,706 members of the TDR. Of those how many have 3rd gen trucks and how many have actually had a problem. They say that an unhappy customer will tell 10 people and a happy customer will only tell 1 or 2 so I would venture a guess that most people who have posted to the site did so BECAUSE they had a problem, either to share it or try to get help resolving it. So just reading the threads here is not an accurate picture. Maybe someone needs to do a pole of members on how many trucks have been trouble free vs. problematic. I think it would be an eye opener.

Good luck with that. I think it would depend on each individuals definition of a "problem". I doubt you will get many people to fess up and say "Yes, I have had some trouble". Thats the trouble with these forums. Everyone on here knows that all eyes are on them. The Ford guys, the Chevy guys, potential buyers, import guys, they are all watching. People here, just like anywhere else want to give off the impression that theirs is the best. Not many people are going to tell the truth if it might make DC look bad.

 

[JensenC]

Check out every other car forum on the internet - HOnda, Bentley, VW, Porsche, etc. You will find just as many people complaining about just as many problems. Forums like this lend themselves to people posting about every little problem that may come up with a new vehicle. For every person that has a engine code or a squeaky seat, there are 10,000 3rd gen owners that don't.

 

[BHolm]

Good luck with that. I think it would depend on each individuals definition of a "problem". I doubt you will get many people to fess up and say "Yes, I have had some trouble". Thats the trouble with these forums. Everyone on here knows that all eyes are on them. The Ford guys, the Chevy guys, potential buyers, import guys, they are all watching. People here, just like anywhere else want to give off the impression that theirs is the best. Not many people are going to tell the truth if it might make DC look bad.

Do you really think there are that many blind loyalists? I am not married to DC by any stretch of the imagination. I ragged them up and down when I was told no high idle or speedo correction was availible for my '06. That has since been fixed. I think most guys here are brutally honest, just as you are about the problems you are having. My trucks have proven to be very solid and if you want my automotive reference point I am generally a Porsche, Mercedes-Benz buyer and own a couple of each. I do not accept a bunch of problems at the price point these trucks reach and I personally, with four examples of the third gen, have been very satisfied. I couldn't say that about GM and I wouldn't buy a Ford 6. ohhh on a bet. I think Toyota makes a decent rig, though my buddies Tundra broke a leaf spring after a couple of years of hauling just a small truck camper. They are all machines and some repair is inevitible regardless. Sounds like you got one built on a Monday because my experience has been very different. Now if Ford had kept the 7. 3 I would likely be driving one and never have switched back to Dodge. I just like to have the best availible for my needs and from my experience the Dodge is the best right now.

 

[Coolslice]

Check out every other car forum on the internet - HOnda, Bentley, VW, Porsche, etc. You will find just as many people complaining about just as many problems. Forums like this lend themselves to people posting about every little problem that may come up with a new vehicle. For every person that has a engine code or a squeaky seat, there are 10,000 3rd gen owners that don't.

True, but just because they don't belong to a forum doesn't mean hey don't have trouble. I spend a lot of time at the local dealership because I am good friends with the Cummins tech. I talk to a lot of guys who bring their trucks in and I would say that 90% of them have never heard of TDR. This forum is just a small cross section. I'd say the number of people here who have had problems vs. those that have not is right on par with the rest of the owners out there who are not members of a forum.

 

[MCrossley]

Very good point

since I work at 2 dealerships I see trucks come and go all day every day and I do tend to stop and talk to the Cummins owners and as said many do not know about the TDR nor do they care. Most I have spoken to are very happy with their trucks and many I see at a later date with new ones. Most of these are not grocery getters either we have one customer who brings his truck in for service every couple of weeks becuase he puts so many miles on it at about 5k over his gvw with a overloaded utility box. That truck has needed a new trans at 150k and I think finally got an injection pump at over 200k but you know what he is dam happy with it as he knows he abuses it.



As far as the statement about posting honestly I agree I don't see many people on here afraid to say they have a problem, in fact most do... .



And as far as the quality of the toyotas, like I said 3 of my good friends have lemon law'd theirs because of major problems, one of them has done it to 2 in a row because of severe brake problems; he now drives a CTD so go figure... .

True, but just because they don't belong to a forum doesn't mean hey don't have trouble. I spend a lot of time at the local dealership because I am good friends with the Cummins tech. I talk to a lot of guys who bring their trucks in and I would say that 90% of them have never heard of TDR. This forum is just a small cross section. I'd say the number of people here who have had problems vs. those that have not is right on par with the rest of the owners out there who are not members of a forum.

 

[Edgemann55]

I had a Tundra for 20,000 mi and it had the brakes repaired 4 times. My 05 now has 18,000 trouble free miles and gets 3 mpg better then my ol Tundra. Not that the Toyota was all that bad but I would not give up my Cummins for another one.