[zigfreed]

23 May 2008

To Whom It May Concern:

I purchased a 2007 6.7 Mega Cab, 6 speed auto, 4X4. The Vehicle was purchased on May 29, 2007 from Chapman Dodge in Scottsdale AZ. The VIN is 3D7-xxxxxxxx-xxxxxx. Up to this point I have only purchased GM pickups. There were three reasons that I chose to purchase the Dodge Mega Cab. The first was the Cummins engine. The second was the size of the cab and the third was the 6 speed auto transmission. I purchased the vehicle to replace my 1997 Chevy Z71 K1500.

Since the date of purchase here are all the trips to the Dodge service department:

1. 26 Jun 07, Mileage 2504, Long Crank INT, 18190434 TSB 18-033-07. I have not had this problem again.

2. 18 Jul 07, Mileage 3943, 18190641 TSB 18-003-07, Catalyst shows 100%. Codes p1451, p2453.

3. 7 aug 07, Mileage 7494. I took the truck in because the truck lost power. The dealer could not find any problems.

4. 10 oct 07, Mileage 11858, Engine light is on. 18190435 flash PCM w/bootloader and app software. 11500290 exhaust sys after treatment. code p245a. I also had a bad front shock this trip into the dealer.

5. 07 dec 07, Mileage 15249, G30 recall.

6. 19 mar 08, Mileage 20799, Engine light on. 18190402 ECM reprogram. 11500201 DPF DeSoot. Codes p2262 Turbo boost pressure. Flash PCM from AV to AX. This trip I had to talk to the diesel mechanic. He told me I need to drive more aggressively. He also told me I need to drive with the engine brake on, on Mon,Wed and Fri.

7. 2 apr 08, Mileage 21581, Engine light on. 11500201 DPF DeSoot. 18190402 ECM reprogram.

8. 22 may 08, Mileage 24,600, Engine light on. I do not have the info on this because I have not received the paper work on this repair from Tempe Dodge yet.

When I purchased the truck there was no mention of any special driving requirements for this vehicle. Since then I have received a DVD from Dodge stating that I need to drive the vehicle above 50 miles per hour for 1 hour to allow the truck to clean its diesel particulate filter. I have also been lectured by the diesel mechanic at Tempe Dodge that I need to drive my truck more aggressively to allow the truck to clean it self out. I was also told to drive with the exhaust brake on, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is absolutely ridiculous to think that I have to drive my vehicle more aggressively to get the vehicle to work properly. This vehicle has to share the road with other motorists and it should be able to handle all conditions that it encounters without needing service. Aggressive driving is not only unsafe it is illegal.

I am very disappointed with this new vehicle. I paid Chapman Dodge $50,000 for a truck that is going to require service every month and has to be driven in a very narrow/unrealistic operating envelope. If I had known this was going to be the case I would have never purchased a Dodge vehicle with a Cummins turbo diesel engine.

Dodge is practicing consumer deception by selling a product with known defects. It is time for Dodge/Cummins to live up to the following:

“Total Customer Loyalty Is Our Mission. At the end of each day, only one thing matters at Cummins: Keeping our customers for life. That means 100% satisfaction with the performance of Cummins products, services, information and our people.”

I am not 100% satisfied!

I expect Chapman Dodge/Dodge/Cummins to provide a permanent solution to the problems that I am having with my vehicle. If you are not able to provide a permanent solution to this problem I expect Chapman Dodge/Dodge/Cummins to buy the vehicle back.


Sincerely,

 

[kmwharley]

Nice letter. Let us know what happens

 

[Smokinrebel]

Wow, thats good!!

 

[DieselRookie]

Dude, this is not a Dodge related issue. You should be sending this letter to the EPA. All new diesel trucks are having these same problems because of the DPF. Buy a new Duramax and you'll have the same issues. I came from Chevy as well and won't be going back. Get that DPF cut off and you won't have any more issues. :thumbsup

 

[slagburn]

Good letter - stated the facts, expressed disappointment in the product, didn't come off like a raving lunatic; a good lesson for others interested in writing letters.

The fact that to date light duty diesel truck manufacturers are having difficulties building vehicles that are reliable under the current EPA standards is not the EPAs problem and it is unlikely that they care.

 

[HarleyMedic]

Even though it may have been caused by the EPA, it IS a Dodge issue. Zig gave his money to Dodge and the vehicle is not operating as it should. GM has their issues, so does Ford. When I buy a product and it does not function properly, I will accept no excuses from whom I purchased it. They took the man's money, they need to deliver the truck he paid for. One that works properly, not one that you have to do all sorts of things 3 times a week and hold your leg out the window on tuesdays to make it run right. I get tired of hearing excuses from companies that will take your money and not deliver what you paid for, then make excuses when you call them on it or lay blame on someone else. If they didnt deliver what he paid for, it's just like they stole money from him. Ok. I feel better now. I'm just tired of seeing people take a screwin.

 

[HarleyMedic]

Oh. by the way. Damn fine letter. A lot better than I could have ever written. Suprise huh?

 

[tclappcummins]

good letter :thumbsup very well written

 

[Supershafts]

IT's Dodges problem to go to the epa and tell them go ______ off , and Cummins should go with Dodge and they should invite GM and Ford to tell the epa to go _____ off.

 

[mattpopp]

There is a letter on the DMV website. i dont know where its at but its "Formal Letter of Complaint" Its fill in the blanks and it needs to be mailed certified to DC rep in your state. which you can get that address from your Dealership

 

[61 Dodge]

Very well written letter:thumbsup We have a new Dodge and Cummins Owner. I agree More Gov. Regs.(EPA). Are more of a problem than any thing.

 

[mattpopp]

I found this on the net. its not the same web page that i went to but Letter B is the one that you need to Send to your DC rep For your State or Area
Its just fill in the blanks
Maryland Attorney General - Consumer Publications

Granted it say Maryland but it seems to be the same that i used,

Ok, maybe you can not use that one because it needs info in it to correspond with your state, but you get the idea, just have to to find it

 

[Flattman]

Zigfreed, may I ask why you're not having it serviced where you purchased it? I'm going through some of the same junk at Tempe Dodge. I think the diesel tech there is good, but I've received that same speech from him about driving it like I stole it. Well, I tried it and other than getting 4 MPG less on that tank of fuel, the same thing happened and it went back.

I've thought about taking mine elsewhere to see if a different opinion would help. But the techs and service advisors are not happy folks these days being on the receiving end of our rants about this garbage.

 

[dieseltracks]

I'm sure they don't mean to drive aggressively to the point of wreckless driving, they just need to be driven differently than a non epa diesel vehicle.
He (mechanic) had the right idea, just the wrong approach, IMO.

Very well written letter, let us know if they reply. Good luck.

 

[rollin smoke in a'92]

wow, well written letter, let us know what happens.
P.S. the epa sucks!

 

[Flattman]

I'm sure they don't mean to drive aggressively to the point of wreckless driving, they just need to be driven differently than a non epa diesel vehicle.
He (mechanic) had the right idea, just the wrong approach, IMO.

Diesel, nobody could possibly say something to me that would cause me to drive recklessly. I felt I properly understood the analogy he was using.

Don't take this as me being flippant, but if someone asked you, how would you instruct someone to drive an epa diesel? Maybe I'm the person misinterpreting the discussion.

 

[dieseltracks]

Diesel, nobody could possibly say something to me that would cause me to drive recklessly. I felt I properly understood the analogy he was using.

Don't take this as me being flippant, but if someone asked you, how would you instruct someone to drive an epa diesel? Maybe I'm the person misinterpreting the discussion.

It was just an observation, in no way was I questioning your statement. Sorry if it seemed that way. :thumbsup
Like I stated, I think the mechanic has good intentions on trying to help you, just the wrong approach on trying to explain it to you.

 

[wildhorseplains]

Well written letter. Make sure to send it certified and please keep us updated on the results. Oh...multiple copies as well to the dealer/cummins/chrysler corp.

 

[DieselRookie]

Even though it may have been caused by the EPA, it IS a Dodge issue. Zig gave his money to Dodge and the vehicle is not operating as it should. GM has their issues, so does Ford. When I buy a product and it does not function properly, I will accept no excuses from whom I purchased it. They took the man's money, they need to deliver the truck he paid for. One that works properly, not one that you have to do all sorts of things 3 times a week and hold your leg out the window on tuesdays to make it run right. I get tired of hearing excuses from companies that will take your money and not deliver what you paid for, then make excuses when you call them on it or lay blame on someone else. If they didnt deliver what he paid for, it's just like they stole money from him. Ok. I feel better now. I'm just tired of seeing people take a screwin.

I like the letter but I disagree to an extent with this statement. Yes it is a Dodge customer service issue but, Dodge also has there hands tied because of the EPA. Really, what are they supposed to do? If you by a truck with a DPF, expect problems or take it off. Dodge can't do much in that situation. However, the letter needs to be sent, down the line the EPA will hear it from all of these manufacturers about how poor the performance is with this stuff on there. It may not do anything but they need to hear it.

 

[PatriotBlue12er]

you have all those crap problems because of the 2010 emission standards... dodge chevy and ford threw in all the crap to meet the standards.. blue tec diesel is bull**** my 12 valve has none of those problems and never will.. "drive aggresively" ha ok