Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-74
I posted last February about my 1995 Ram 1500 with the peeling paint & steering box problems. (The aftermarket GM steering box is still working perfectly, FYI) :-)
I've never had a problem with the transmission (it's been one of the most reliable major components on the truck so far), and I've got 130,000+ miles on it. I notice a LOT of people are having multiple transmission problems. My sympathy goes out to you folks... I can only assume I got lucky in that regard.
But here I am, over a year later, and the paint is still peeling. The "dime-sized" spots I reported last year are now between 2-7 inches in diameter, and growing. Another spot has developed, below the exterior trim, in the silver paint that they told me "would never chip, peel, or corrode." The paint on the rear fenders (sides of the bed) is pitted and fading now, and is even noticeable when comparing the rear half of the truck to the front half. I'm taking it today to get an estimate done on the paint repair, since Chrysler won't touch it with a 1000-foot pole.
The rear bumper has developed a crack in the chrome and is rusting out from underneath. The ceiling liner inside the cab is coming loose up next to the top of the windshield. I'm banking that some simple spray adhesive will fix that, however... but the bumper will be a $300 part.
I don't have the time to mess with a lawsuit against Chrysler, class-action or otherwise. So, in October 2001, when the five-year, 0% deals were everywhere, I bought that 2002 Pontiac Firebird Formula I'd had my eye on.
Chrysler called me about 2 weeks later and asked if I'd be willing to trade my '95 Ram in on a new 2002 Ram. I saw this as an opportunity. The lady was real nice & courteous, so I said, "well, I'm not looking to sell it right now... I've got some issues with it that need addressed, and I plan to keep it."
"Really?" she said... "what kind of issues?" Gotcha!
"Well, I have this problem with the paint, it's peeling, you see. And the rear bumper is rusting out thru a crack in the chrome, even though it's never been struck, scratched, dented, or otherwise damaged."
Her demeanor immediately changed. "Are you sure? You can't see it all the time, you know. Someone may have hit it. Besides, if this all happened within the 100,000 mile limit, your corrosion warranty will cover the repairs."
Just the reaction I'd hoped for... I pushed on:
"Hmm, yes. Strangely enough, it all started happening less than a month after the corrosion warranty expired. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was some kind of conspiracy by Chrysler to soak me for more cash! HA HA HA!"
She didn't laugh. "Well, I don't think that's a fair thing to say, sir. We pride ourselves on quality. Your isolated problems could be due to mistreatment or something like that."
I was still laughing at my clever joke, so I said:
"Ha ha,...ehh. Kinda like the 35 other people I know who have the same paint problems, but AAAAnyway, Chrysler has told me many, many, many times that there's nothing they can do about it. Sooooo, actually, I went & bought a Pontiac Firebird Formula 2 weeks ago with the money I COULD have spent on one of your new trucks, had I simply been treated with some good, old-fashioned, honest-to-God, FREAKIN' RESPECT! I'm KEEPING my current truck, which I'll have you know gets better treatment than most people's PETS. I'm keeping it because everybody should have a truck, and I'll take it to someone who will actually do some quality work on it! I'll thank Chrysler not to call me anymore, pestering me about buying another one of their vehicles for at LEAST another five years. Maybe by then, they'll learn how to treat people who are willing to shell out twenty to thirty grand for their products."
And I hung up. They haven't called back since. :-)
1994 Ram 2500. 5.9L 183,000 miles. Only major problem was transmission replaced at 163,000 miles (1st one). I work it to death, it was even hit by a dump truck. Buddy bought the Ford diesel quad cab, he has less than 40K and has gone through 1 Trans. and new rotors. Any indication of my experience with Fords, he'll replace the steering gear sometime soon.
Still have my 94 Ram and a new addition 2002 Quad Cab Ram.
My 94 has always been serviced regularly.
I have a 1999 Dodge Ram Quad Cab with a 5.9 Liter engine. First thing to go out were my tires at 22,000 miles. Come to find out the tires were passenger rated tires and not a light duty truck tire. Dodge would not do anything about my tires wearing out, so I called Michelin and they were very helpful by giving me half off on my new set of tires.
After that my truck start spark knocking and hesitating didn't think a lot about it at first. I called my dealer and they said we got a fix for that. Come to find out they did have a fix, they retarded my timing, therefore reducing my gas mileage by 4 miles per gallon and reducing my torque.
Truck still spark knocked and hesitated, but I learned to live with it, until the red light came on and my truck started bucking like a bull. There next fix was to replace the intake gasket and to retard the engine even more.
Truck just got worse. Called dealer up again and told him my truck was still spark knocking and he told me to call the service department. The service man told me that he could not do anything about the spark knocking and I would just have to live with it.
I could not live with it, so I called customer service and told them my problem. They said they would get in touch with the dealer and with the engineers and get back in touch with me. They never called me back, so I called them. I was then told to call my dealer back and they would set up an appointment and fix my truck. I took my truck in for my appointment and the service guy told me that I probably have carbon build up on my pistons. My truck now has 39,000 miles on it and even though it has a history of it spark knocking, I would have to pay to get it fixed. I still did not think that I should pay to get my truck fixed, so I called customer service again. Come to find out customer service said they would not cover this under warranty, because cleaning the carbon build up off was a maintenance issue not a warranty issue.
Truck is still at the dealership and I am thinking seriously about getting a lawyer.
1995 RAM 1/2 ton 4X4 5.9. Tires & Brakes, that's it. 110,000. Go figure.
Just sold it, bought 2002 Cummins quad cab 6-speed.
Wow. I feel like I'm amongst family. We have our own support group going. "My name is Joy and I hate my Dodge." ("Hi Joy...")
How is Chrysler still in business? God bless capitalism that they can so consistently produce such junk and get so much money for it. Hey, if cable can exploit the stupidity of Anna Nicole Smith, Dodge can certainly get $30,000+ for pretty scrap metal.
Here's my story: my husband (before I met him...) made the stupid mistake of getting into a 5 year lease with a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 5.9L quad cab. Don't think a day goes by that I don't kick his butt for it. Up to 45k miles it was perfect. Warranty up. We too have treated it better than most treat their pets and haven't used it for anything you don't expect to use a truck for. (Lots of tree hauling, boat towing, some off road, etc.) We are now at 63k and have replaced the compass, all gaskets, hoses, sensors, thermostat 3 times, and everything else including the warped heads. Yes people, warped heads at 45k. In addition, lots of what they call 'pinging' and hesitating, and a little bucking. Oh, and the transmission is on its way. But hey, the seats are comfy. :)
I've received customer service from dealerships (which Chrysler is always sure to remind me are independently owned) and from Chrysler themselves that would make Bruce Nordstrom throw up. I'm tired of being accused of putting abnormal wear and tear on this vehicle. I have owned a Ford, Honda, Hyundai, and 3 Toyotas and in my younger days put way worse wear and tear on them and they lasted for way longer.
I too have contacted an attorney who says lemon law doesn't apply because in Tennessee 18 months is as far as it carries you. The attorney says we have no case. I've contacted the dealership that ripped off..er...I mean provided the truck for my husband to lease and the finance company that had him bent over. All take the approach "I hate it for ya."
This is going to have to be a grass roots effort starting with all of us and the next step is contacting the media. If legal action doesn't talk, bad press will. I've got a big mouth and I'm not afraid to use it. I have no problem painting "don't buy a" above "Dodge" on my tailgate.
I don't want my money back, I just don't want the truck anymore. I can't sell it to anyone because I have something Chrysler doesn't: a conscience. The only choice I have now is deal with it and continue to hold my ankles, or call Chrysler daily and notify the media.
Please feel free to email me at ltvp15@yahoo.com if you want to get involved or have anything that will help me in my cause. All of your comments certainly do.
My 1997 Dodge 3500 quad-cab diesel has transmission problems, seat adjustment problems, etc. I bought the truck new and I bought the extended warranty. The local Dodge sales/service business has not nor will not honor the warranty with one exception when they permanently damaged two components trying to repair them. The Dodge regional rep has either not returned my calls or the rep states that they will look into the matter. They have yet to call back. What is really unusual is that recently they stopped providing me with any computerized paper work on any of my service visits. This happened again yesterday when they kept and seemed to have worked on my truck for two hours in response to a recall regarding the braking system. Based on these adverse experiences I do not trust the Dodge truck, the Dodge Company, the regional reps. nor the local (Melbourne, FL) Dodge ssales/service agency.
So many of these stories are just like mine, it’s sort of like a nightmare. My 1997 Dodge RAM has 99K miles. I have spent more on repairs than I ever did with my Chevy that had 200K miles. Why did I ever switch? This dodge was in the dealer service department three times before 12K miles after the Check Engine Light came on. Indication was always transmission. Third trip they replaced it. To this day it has never shifted correctly. It always shifts too early and has a hard time finding the right gear when I push it. A year ago, at <80K miles, I had to replace the transmission. It’s making noise in reverse again. Also I was having the pinging problem so many of you describe when engine is under a load. Pulling a boat, I would burn 1-2 quarts every 300 miles. A repair shop found a Dodge bulletin about a faulty gasket in the engine. After several hundred dollars and a new gasket, that problem has been fixed. I still haven’t resolved the brake problem. I have to give PLENTY of space in front of me. I never know when I slam the pedal if the brakes will work properly or not. About half the time I will lose pressure and end up with the pedal on the floor with the truck rolling to a slow stop. A new master cylinder from the repair shop did not fix it. I’m just trying to find time to take the truck back to the shop AGAIN. This has been an expensive lesson – If you are thinking about switching to Dodge…DON’T! Comments to bmni1@hotmail.com.
I have a 1997 Dodge extended cab SLT Laramie 5.2 Liter motor. Since I owned it I have had several problems at 8500 miles we had a knocking & tapping noise took it to the dealer they said it was normal. Then I had to have it towed in because the slave cylinder went out told them about the noise again they said it needed to have a chemical clean done. Within a month or two the noise was there again then it started using 4 or 5 quarts of oil between oil changes I change my oil every 3000 to 3500 miles. Had several tune ups trying to get rid of the spark knock then after my warranty was up I took it to a different mechanic shop & they told me the intake manifold gasket was bad & it was a common thing on Dodges a few months later the knocking was back a little at first & now it's back to being real load so guess what it's probably the gasket again & I only have 60000 miles on it well I'm gonna quite now or I'll be here all night telling you my problems with my Dodge.
I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500, and now it has 220 000 KM on it, and all I had to replace was the Transmission oil pan seal, that's it. It drives like new, and I am actually very pleased with it. It has lots of power, drives smoothly. One thing I don't like is the quick wear on the steering wheel, its down to metal on the top, and I had to get a steering wheel cover. And I think one of my wheel bearings is starting to go. Overall I am happy with this truck.
1998 Quad Cab 2wd 5.2. 128,000 so far. Only problems were pinging (fixed with a computer recalibration, this made gas mileage even worse) and an ABS sensor. Transmission is on the way out, but it looks like I should consider myself lucky from what I've read here.
I have a 1997 Dodge Ram Extended Cab, short wheel base V8. It has 100,000 miles on it and the transmission is shot. This truck has never pulled anything. It is customized and looks great. After talking with other owners of '97 Dodge Rams I find almost everyone I come across has had problems with the transmission. How can Dodge get by with this? I am furious! I have friends with GMC trucks, Chevy trucks made in the same year and none of them have these problems with their trucks. My advice is: if you are thinking about buying a Dodge no matter how good it looks, don't walk, run on by. As soon as mine is fixed I'm getting another truck and it won't be a Dodge, ever. I won't be recommending one to anybody either. As matter of fact, I'll suggest they visit this web site.
I have a 1998 5sp club cab 4x4. When I bought it I realized Dodge is incapable of building automatic transmissions, electric windows or seats. I had the pleasure of owning an intrepid...trans, c.v. joints before 60,000 KILOMETERS. I have 105,000 k on my truck (60,000 miles) and my manual seat catch has broken, and I have worn lower ball joints and a front U-joint. I work on cars frequently, when my wife wanted an automatic... we got a Honda. Never thought I'd say it, but if you want options, go foreign. I'm lucky, my local Dodge guy is excellent... too bad he doesn't sell Hondas... I don't know what my Honda guy is like... I guess that says it all.
My name is Jonathan. I own a 97 Dodge Ram 1500 4x2 extended cab truck. I love the looks of my truck and the way it rides, but I will not buy another dodge truck. I bought the truck used with 70,000 miles on it. I had it for a week when I noticed it was loosing water. I work for a Ford dealership, but the owner also owns a GM and Chrysler dealership located just across the lot from us. I took my truck to them and after they had it for a week they put intake gaskets on it. I picked up my truck on Friday and on Saturday the water was low again. On Monday I took my truck back and after another 4 or 5 days they replaced the head gaskets. I picked my truck up again and I immediately brought my truck in our shop and let it run for a while and found it was still loosing water and found a freeze plug leaking. They fixed this the same day. About 2 months later the transmission started whining and the check engine light came on. This time I carried it to another Dodge dealership and It took them 5 times to finally get it right. I have an extended warranty and had to pay the deductible twice and could not get them to refund me. I have 93000 miles on it now and the only trouble since the transmission was an electrical short, but I fixed that myself to avoid the trouble of the dealership. I don't drive my truck every day anymore because my warranty runs out at 98000. My wife now drives it to town about 3 times a week.
I've got a 1997 Dodge 1500 2WD, 5.9L Auto. I bought it used with over 330,000 km on it over a year ago. The company I bought if from showed me their repair records, and all they had done was brakes, tires and a battery. One recurring problem I have now is that every couple weeks the engine light comes on, when they scan it it says the RPM didn't drop when the torque converter locked up. I've had 4 different shops take it for a drive with the scanner connected, but it never does it for them. The only other problem I've had is the fuel pump died a few weeks ago. Other than that it drives great, has loads of power. It now has 360,000km on and doesn't even burn 1/2 liter oil between changes. I've never had a truck I like as much.
Yes, indeed. I have found some new friends. I have a 1997 Ram 1500 4WD with about 65000 miles on it. I have towed a car dolly with a 1971 Volks-Wagon once when it was a year old. Its been off road once. After that "Easy Life" it is now sitting at one of the local transmission shops. (Not a Dodge dealer) Apparently I was lucky to get this thing the 4 miles back home. The tech says that "Flashing" from one of the valve bodies wasn't removed properly during initial assembly, and has now found its way into one of the internal valves, where it has ruined the upper valve body, torque converter and the valve its-self.
On a more cheerful note, the local dealer (s) all tell me they will make me a "Super Deal" on a shiny new Ram! "Just stop by and we will set you up!" Thank you so much Dodge, for such a wonderful product!