Unreliable Turbo Diesels?

[JUeckert]

I've had three Dodge/Cummins pickups, and each became better, as the years increased. The latest one, a 2003 Quad cab 3/4 short bed, has been the best so far! However, it only has 90 K on it. With that said, I have not had any real bad issues of any kind, other than the one time I experienced the "death wobble"! One ball joint was replaced, and that issue went away. That has been the only problem I've had.



Wayne

agreed. after 3 first gens, two second gens and now nearly 5 years of third gen ownership, i maintain dodge's have gotten better in most respects with time. My 05 was one last shot at owning a dodge truck ever again. With only a few issues to report, thus far it has been the best dodge i have owned/own. As for the thread topic, i could to some degree agree that reliabilty of new diesel has dropped across the board. seems every brand has had emission related problems of some sort. Random injectors failing has been an issue for all three models also. likely we could think of some other fairly common issues between the three aswell. Another way to look at issue's is the number of truck's sold . For instance, it's likely safe to say far more 04/05' model dodge diesel's were sold, then 95'/98' models. More trucks on the road, more likely to find an issue within that model...

 

[mickeyblueyes]

I have a 2006 mega cab the truck has been in 6 times for warranty work,

and 2 times for recalls. And now have a problem with death wobble. So

no i would say that it is not reliable. And out of the 3 dodge trucks i have had

it is the worst one yet. And it only has 40000 miles on it. Yes the cummins is

the best. But if the rest of the truck falls apart and your spending a lot of money on it then its all for not. Dodge has got to pay more attention to quality in all there vehicles if they want to turn the company around.

just my 2 cents:-{}[/QUOTE





I am just curious as to the nature of your problems.

If you use you truck commercially ?

 

[mberry]

My truck has been back to the dealer exactly 2 times. Once was for something I did. The other was for a rear axle seal leaking. I still haven't had the rear axle seal fixed, but it doesn't leak very much at all.

I did just have to have the CP3 and rail pressure sensor replaced. After 6 years of ownership that's the only thing that has failed on this truck. It's only got 90K on it also, but I think that's pretty darn good for how complex these machines are and how seldom it gets driven. It even has the original batteries still in it. I think it's very reliable and my '02 was a great truck. It only had the lift pump go out at around 70K miles.

 

[MarkStevenson]

the right rear door glass cracked, problem with the heater/ac 2 times,trans leak and differential leak,then MIL code p0514 and in november at 36500 miles ball joints

no i don't use it commercially

would i buy a new ford or chevy no! all just keep the one i have even with the problems i

have had i do like the truck. i knew off the ball joint problems and the heater/ac problems from TDR so it was no surprise

 

[Dieselnut59]

I agree that CR does not fairly judge the trucks. They seem fair on cars, but they expect trucks to be car like. The more car like a truck is, the less desirable it is to me. If I wanted a car like ride, I would get a car. I am NOT a car person at all. That (and the fact that it is a diesel mostly) is what influenced me to get a Liberty over the car based SUVs its size like the Honda CRV, Toyota RAV critter, etc. They are 4 wheel independent mushy suspension and front wheel drive. I want/need a truck to have the rugged ride and performance and towing/hauling capacity a truck SHOULD have. I also love these same features on a SUV.
That being said, Consumer Reports gave some of their highest marks in history to the Volkswagon TDI diesels recently, even beating out their own gassers and the Japanese models.

 

[MVenditti]

Every vehicle I ever owned had bad ratings in consumer reports. I notice they favor cars not made here. Maybe we should buy foreign mags instead of theirs.

 

[meanmatt]

I am another person that has owned cars and trucks the CR has rated as poor. Non of them has ever left me on the side of the road wondering what happened. True the random snapping of HVAC doors is annoying . Luckily we have the aftermarket behind us and info found here on TDR . To cure those little things . Look up one of the rated exellent cars ,you will never find the public support like we have. My wife Has one of the well rated forign suvs. No forums , to even ask a question too. No aftermarket to even have the option improved of modified parts . So the only answer when there is an issue ,yes there are still issues . It goes to the dealer and their answer is 800-1200 dollars everythime.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I am another person that has owned cars and trucks the CR has rated as poor. Non of them has ever left me on the side of the road wondering what happened. True the random snapping of HVAC doors is annoying . Luckily we have the aftermarket behind us and info found here on TDR . To cure those little things . Look up one of the rated exellent cars ,you will never find the public support like we have. My wife Has one of the well rated forign suvs. No forums , to even ask a question too. No aftermarket to even have the option improved of modified parts . So the only answer when there is an issue ,yes there are still issues . It goes to the dealer and their answer is 800-1200 dollars everythime.

That is EXACTLY how I feel also! Dull and boring vehicles (like CR tests and rates the most) like mini vans and little grocery getter/baby toter cars do not have an enthusiastic following like our trucks, a sports car or a nice SUV. CR does not take these things into consideration but part of the good points of vehicle ownership is public support, fun to drive and ease of parts and serviceability. I love my vehicles, but the "common" soccer mom would be lost when it was time to service them, change a fuel filter, etc. Most "soccer moms" (and T-ball dads) who are used to the ride of their cushie little cars would think our trucks and truck-like SUVs ride harsh. I think cars ride to mushy! Yes, that includes the Mercedes I have. Trucks are supposed to be tough. And powertrain that can handle 900 ft/lb of torque and tow 20,000 pounds is not going to feel "luxurious" to someone used to sitting in an office all day and driving a Honda.

 

[JUeckert]

5 to ten years ago, i would have agreed with you on the soccer moms and t ball dads comment. However it looks like they are changeing their ways and atitudes about trucks. Seems now that i see a whole lot of these same types buying these vehicle's now, doctor and lawyer types too. personally i dont see the sense in owning a hd type vehicle, unless you need it. If you think about it, it makes it harder for the folks that really need these types of trucks to own them. Higher purchase price, and higher fuel prices do to demand[ thats what they claim anway], only drive up th prices. .

 

[EGroeneveld]

Comparing my 2005 Dodge 3500 to my wifes 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid I would say the Dodge is by far less reliable. The Camry has been absolutely flawless for 70,000 miles. My Dodge has had a couple of minor issues with 60,000 miles, I would still call it reliable, but since its not perfect then its rated not reliable by Consumer Reports, I guess.



Consumer Reports expects perfection. Many of their readers do to, car or truck they don't care. Anyone remember old cars. The car I learned to drive in was a 1977 Dodge Aspen, every 6 months had to change the plugs, do a tuneup, mess with the carb. We have come a long ways.

 

[Tractorat]

I havent read the CR article and I won't. But, what I got from the initial quote is that they are lumping all diesel trucks together. So, if what I gleen from the trd site is correct, there is a HUGE reliablilty issue with Fords and Chev's. And, although my truck has been absolutely reliable, a lot of folks here have issues with their trucks. But, if you are adding mods to your truck, you really cant blame that on dodge.

 

[BrianJ]

The car I learned to drive in was a 1977 Dodge Aspen, every 6 months had to change the plugs, do a tuneup, mess with the carb. We have come a long ways.

Wow, don't hear about those every day. My first car was a 1978 Dodge Aspen, which my parents handed down to me to learn to drive in the mid 80's. I drove it for 6 years through HS and college. Be glad your's was a '77 before the computer ignition crap they added in '78.



Of the 14 or so vehicles I have owned, it is a toss up as to if the '78 Dodge Aspen or my 2004. 5 Dodge Ram has been the least reliable vehicle. The '78 had lots of problems with their first attempt and computerized ignition, and the CTD has been in the shop for injectors, lift pump, A/C (7 times #@$%!), broken power door lock module, bad freeze plug, leaking shift tower, rear u-joint, and probably a few I can't think of at the moment. Some of the other vehicles from 1990 forward include a Nissan Sentra SE-R, Ford Ranger, Ford Mustang ('96 and the current '66) Nissan XE 4x4 truck, Chevy S-10 Blazer, Nissan Pathfinder, VW Passat, Ford F150, Toyota Corolla and a Ford Escape. I think I only had three "non-maintenance" repairs on all those other vehicles combined (the electronic 4x4 module on the Ranger, stuck CD on the Pathfinder, and one spark solonoid on the escape) and one or two minor recalls on the Escape. From my actual (not opinion) experience Dodge, and in particular my CTD, have been the weak link as far as reliability is concerned.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

My 2001 truck with 95,000 on it has had the batterys replaced. Everything else works.

My 2004 truck has 90,000 on it and has been in the shop once because the horn beeped on its own sometimes. Consumer Reports is a biased foriegn serving RAG!!