what are the known problems on my 2004.5?

[shendren]

i'm reading about freeze plugs, cruise control, etc.



what are the background issues on these?



any others?



thanks. scott.

 

[rbattelle]

Well, since none of us have every driven your 2004. 5, how can we know of any problems on it!



[sorry, I couldn't resist the smart-a$$ comment]



Seriously, try doing a search so no one has to do all that typing!

 

[shendren]

look man,



it ain't like i haven't been here a couple of years.



it ain't like i haven't responded to "how do you change the fuel filter on the 12V's ?" a couple of hundred times... ... .



so just lighten up and start typin'... ... .

 

[rbattelle]

All in good fun, Scott.



I think the biggest complaint with the 600's is the fuel mileage. Many owners reporting figures in the mid-16's or lower.



There have been some freeze plug problems, but only a couple. There have been lots of knocking complaints, but these seem to be much less prevalent on the 600 engine than on the previous 555 engines.



Overall, I don't think the 600 has been around long enough yet to really see what sort of problems it might have.

 

[shendren]

those problems can't hardly compare with the 04 ford i just unloaded.



13k mi

egr valve... ... ... . twice

ac evaporator... ..... twice

fuel transfer pump

8 injectors & computer that controls them

catalytic convertor

never ran right.

left me on the road twice.

 

[knewman]

12. 5 to 13. 5 mpg

other than that this thing is great

 

[GFritsch]

Only problem so far is launch shudder. Need to get it to dealer. Mileage is outstanding in my opinion. Over 19 on my last tank, driving very gently.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

those problems can't hardly compare with the 04 ford i just unloaded.



13k mi

egr valve... ... ... . twice

ac evaporator... ..... twice

fuel transfer pump

8 injectors & computer that controls them

catalytic convertor

never ran right.

left me on the road twice.



HMMmmmm - been here a long time, read and posted frequently - and BOUGHT/DROVE a *FORD*... .

 

[bombero]

You have over 1200 posts so whats is your question? Dont you read anything???

 

[GFritsch]

HMMmmmm - been here a long time, read and posted frequently - and BOUGHT/DROVE a *FORD*...

You have over 1200 posts so whats is your question? Dont you read anything???

Ouch-- I for one would like to here more about this guys ford trouble. There is small specific problems with these trucks. Bringing them up in an open forum like this is good for all of us.



Lighten up

 

[Wiredawg]

Fuel Mileage?

My wife gets 19mpg on her 03; I never get over 14 mpg on my 02. I do have a lead foot though.



I've heard of a couple of 04. 5 reports of 17+ mpg. Lots of variables: good motor; light foot, wind, weight etc. .



My 02 weighs 9300 lbs so not too bad for the way it gets up and goes.



Wiredawg

 

[jcarey]

Our 2500 has been great. No problems. We have just over 4000 miles on it now. Using an Xcel spreadsheet we average 18. 4 mpg overall (40% city, 60% highway). lowest mpg was 16. 4; highest was 20. 01.

 

[shendren]

Originally posted by bombero

You have over 1200 posts so whats is your question? Dont you read anything???

not posts like yours.



had a 12v for the first 1199 posts... .....

 

[sschu600]

1K miles with no problems. First tank - 14. 9mpg, second tank - 17. 1, third tank - ?. Remember I already have 1K miles and a short bed. The secret is to shift at 1750 rpm and not set the cruise over 2K rpm on the highway. INCREDIBLE TRUCK! Rides great, drives great, tons of power AND good mpg's. I've driven every vehicle imaginable. I wouldn't trade it for anything.



I think DC has most of the problems out of the vehicle.

 

[WStoops]

Don't forget the vibration issue. Still dealing with it on mine. About to take an 1800 mile trip with mine and will start the buy back procedure after I return. Other than the Vibe I love mine. As for fuel mileage, I get 16 in town, 21 on the highway now. If I drive it hard or am forced to embarrass some ricer, I get 11 in town and 14 hwy. You play, you pay.

 

[vagabond]

I have 22000 miles on my 600. I love it. I had it flashed at 15000 for the milage issue. It did nothing for it. Now after 20000+ it is getting much better. I have a 2500 4x4 , 4:10 with topper and am now getting 17. 2and sometimes a little better h/c when on the highway at 70 to 75 mph. I am sure I could get more if I slowed down. The over head computer is off about 2mpg. Never had a groan whine or knock issue. I is a auto trans. I must say if I have a head wind or strong cross wind it can drop to the 15 range at the speeds mentioned. I love it and everything about it.

 

[BTiner]

At 7600 miles I had the torque replaced and reflashed due to a shudder and not locking up in 2nd gear when pull pulling my 11,500# trailer. Other than that every thing is OK. Vagabond, when they reflashed for mileage, was there a TSB for it.





2004. 5 SLT 3500,Quad cab,LB, SRW, 48RE,3. 73

 

[DPelletier]

To answer the original question;



Common Problems/Complaints applicable to 2004. 5 Dodge Cummins pickups;



1) - reduced mileage compared to earlier engines (305/555) Most people seem to agree 2-3 mpg worse. The cause is the new emmissions regulations and the programming required to meet these regulations. Some people are experiencing even worse mileage and I believe that the most likely cause is one or more bad injectors or unrealistic expectations. Injector problems are rare, but frequent enough to mention. The rest of the engine is typical Cummins - bulletproof. Check out the thread on the miracle injectors as this is the latest carrot for the poor mileage crowd.



- 2) Sporadic vibration and/or quality control issues with the AAM rear end. Again enough complaints to mention. Test drive at 70 mph plus should be performed prior to purchasing any 3rd gen truck to avoid the issue.



Minor issues;

- the frost plug issue - this shouldn't be much of a problem anymore. If you have enough miles on the truck, its a non issue. If its on a lot it should have been tested and if its been built after the bad plugs were used, there is no problem. I think this was a much smaller problem than some people made it out to be.

- headlights still too dim

- some people complain of the comfort of the front seats (enough to mention)

- A-pillar blind spot is still too big

- miscellaneous complaints of noises or vibrations. Various causes although I believe a large percentage of the noises are typical of this engine and just can now be heard because of the multiple injection events.

- thin paint. Chips and scratches easily. More noticable on darker colors. A function of new environmentally friendly paint processes, perhaps, but an annoyance nonetheless.

- complaints of diesel smells in cab, mostly whilst idling at a stop. turning the HVAC controls to recirc can offer some relief. Haven't had this problem, myself.

- wind noise from the door seals. Most common at high speeds, gusty or windy conditions, and especially if hauling a slide-in camper. Several potential solutions including, new door seals, hinge and striker adjustment, bending of the window frame and the addition of aftermarket gasket tape.

- There are still complaints of no full crew cab or no 4500 - 5500, and you can search for the latest rumors in both regards. I don't consider either to be a problem with the truck, just a smaller product line than some of the competition (for the moment, anyway)



Feel free to add to this list. Please don't assume that I'm unhappy with my truck, because that couldn't be further from the truth. My '03 has had only the pwr steering hose vibration issue and my '04. 5 has had no issues to date (other than worse mileage than my '03). Love my truck.



Dave

 

[vagabond]

No TSB. I whined and cried about my milage until they got tired of me. The dealer got ahold of star and they decided to try it. As mentioned I noticed no difference and all I have to show for it is a sticker under the hood saying they did it. The story is that the milage just started to increase at about 17,000miles and I feel I am at the max I will get now.

 

[klenger]

The only issue I've had is somewhat poor A/C performance. The dealer serviced it under warranty. My milage is 17 - 19 MPG around town empty.