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Ecofail, the most unreliable vehicle i have ever owned

19327 Views 19 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  Greenbunch
Purchase date March xx,2014
Model: quad cab Laramie(loaded minus the remote starter and air suspension)
Current mileage: 24,000KM (14,912MILES)
Avg fuel consumption: 21MPG (a lot of city driving)


First off before anyone thinks i am bashing this truck, i absolutely love it when it is working properly. I also have a reg cab ecodiesel company truck that one of my employees drives, only 1 CEL that was resolved first time, no other problems.

My issue with this truck is that out of the year i've owned it, it has been in the dealer on average 3 times per month, some months multiple times in a WEEK!!

Problems include; side moulding falling off (200KM)(resolved), paint bubbling tailgate was repainted, burning smell in cabin(resolved), Interior cab light flickering (apparently the whole roof liner components had to be replaced), door handle lock(resolved),2 def related sensors, 2 catalytic convertors, engine stalling and loss of power, CEL has essentially been a constant after 2000km(reset multi times by dealer)


Most recently the truck has been at the dealer since jan. 13, 2015 because of the CEL, the catalytic convertor needs replacing again and i am still experiencing sudden loss of power although less frequent than before. Dealer tells me there waiting on the part... is this really a reasonable delay for one part??

I contacted Chrysler Canada because i feel that Ecodiesel owners deserve some kind of extended warranty because of all these issues and i wanted to see if they would help me resolve the trucks problems more effectively. Unfortunately Chrysler Canada is about as unreliable as the truck itself. The "case manager", has told be the truck will be ready within one week 3 times in the last 3 weeks. Every time she calls, the dealer "just" got the part and the truck is going to be fixed. So i called the dealer to confirm this and each time their response is that they still have no idea when the part is going to be coming in.

Unfortunately where i'm from we have no lemon laws so that is out of the question, the only 2 real resolutions are they fix the truck or I unfortunately have to take some form of legal action.

I'd like to hear some input from people having similar problems and also this serves as a warning to any potential buyers.

Thanks for reading!
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Wow that's really unfortunate, thanks for taking the time to write this out and let us know, hopefully Chrysler does a good job in taking care of you, keep us posted on how that goes.
If I can make one suggestion and that would be to trade it off,I know that may be harsh but once you get a bad taste in your mouth over something it's hard to get out. They are still a very desirable truck so the trade in price should still be good.You could go to a different brand or move to a 2500 with a cummins but you would loose the car like ride. Just my 2 cents worth.

Randy
I'm not even going to read this post. First post, well where was he before this. Yes tjpse that have a problem search out places to vent and I don't blame them. Personally I'm tired of all the neg posts. I personally know 4 others with them and not one has had an issue. This is my 8th new vehicle, I have had 3 including this one that has not given me any issues. So I have 5 really bad experiences and did everything in my power to let everyone know how bad they were. It is human nature to vent. If this tuck becomes a problem I will vent too.
Example of need for tracking

Sir

You make my case for polling and or tracking of issues, Design, manufacturing or assembly of components?

Was this 1500ED off the lot or a build to order? Know month of assembly or just delivery?

Fiat/Chrysler probably internally tracks this but is unlikely to share/transparently make available componet sub contractor problems and their own supervisory issue at the Saltillo, Coahuila or other assembly points.

If we do not do it we are left blowing in the wind, dealers are not likely show to much interest unless we can make it profitable as they have conflicts of interest. Note this week F/C semi fest up to dealers overselling ( taking deposits ) on models they ( F/C ) could not mfg. F/C did not ID these dealers however. Not 1500ED models but particular car model.
I like the tracking idea maybe we could make a sticky post for it. I have a early May 14 custom built Laramie 4x4 with no major issues. Just 1 firmware update several months ago and over 15,000 miles now.
I like the idea of polls and tracking any issues. While I still have my exhaust leak I love the truck. I just put the a/c on recirc and I don't have to smell it. I occasionally see smoke from the right/back of the hood and I would think Ram would want it resolved ASAP as it's not to good for advertising a new truck that smokes. I have almost 10k mile and have averaged 22mpg. I drive a lot of stop/go. I will continue to be a squeaky wheel at he dealer till it gets fixed and I will work it to my advantage.
Out here in So. Cal diesel is cheaper than gas right now as we had a big fire at a refinery out here. Diesel is $2.95/gal while gas is $3.19 at the same station. Plus our "new" California gas tax was added in the beginning of the year so we pay even more tax on our gas. Someone has to pay for our new High Speed train.......lol :crying:
Notice the OP never posted again.


Sad about all the trouble. I would have "blown" on that truck. Probably unloaded it.


Maybe he didn't re-post if he has a computer like mine. Here it takes minutes for all the ads to load each time I try to move from page to page or start an answer. It can be frustrating. Just like his truck.
Sir

You make my case for polling and or tracking of issues, Design, manufacturing or assembly of components?

Was this 1500ED off the lot or a build to order? Know month of assembly or just delivery?

Fiat/Chrysler probably internally tracks this but is unlikely to share/transparently make available componet sub contractor problems and their own supervisory issue at the Saltillo, Coahuila or other assembly points.

If we do not do it we are left blowing in the wind, dealers are not likely show to much interest unless we can make it profitable as they have conflicts of interest. Note this week F/C semi fest up to dealers overselling ( taking deposits ) on models they ( F/C ) could not mfg. F/C did not ID these dealers however. Not 1500ED models but particular car model.

I do believe it would be useful to see if there are any trends in correlation with build date.

The truck was a build to order, Build Date: April 28, 2014
Notice the OP never posted again.


Sad about all the trouble. I would have "blown" on that truck. Probably unloaded it.


Maybe he didn't re-post if he has a computer like mine. Here it takes minutes for all the ads to load each time I try to move from page to page or start an answer. It can be frustrating. Just like his truck.
I couldn't login in for some reason, and the reset email took a while to arrive.

The truck is currently in "dealer protection" lol, over the past two months. so i can't blow it up.
Update

Dealer called me today.

They got the catalytic converter and after installing it in the truck, it needs a new PCM(Not an update).

Hopefully by the end of the week it will be ready.
I hope that's the end of your troubles.
i wish it was, needed a new HPFP a few days later... its good now, for now.
i wish it was, needed a new HPFP a few days later... its good now, for now.
You mentioned that there is no lemon law - with all the laws that Canada has, and there is no lemon law? Would your providence have anything that would help?
I have a late April 14 custom built 4x4 Laramie Air ride with almost 16k and I have not had one issue with it so far. Received it on May 9th of 2014. My brother has a early May 14 custom built 4x4 Laramie Air ride and had numerous issues that after waiting on parts for the fuel and computer updates have been resolved. So what does that mean. Heck I don't know just my 2 cents.
Yea I love my truck, 2nd Ram I have owned, first ED, but I am getting frustrated with the repair issues...8 weeks old and the starter went up, bad ground from the factory (So much for Union workers). Dealer said a week to repairr until I complained to the owner, then the next day it was fixed. Then three months later threw a ck engine light, PCM module fried...took it in two day fix after complaining I could not wait a week, fixed it the next day and went on a 550 mile trip where it threw anothe ck engine light, took it into a dealer there and they read the code and said found nothing, go ahead and drive it home and no problem since. But always weary now.... does not instill confidence in my purchase to try ED. If I had it to do over I think I would op for the hemi knowing what I now know.
I also have an April 2014 custom build. I received it on May 14. 28,000 miles, short of a computer flash to resolve a remote start issue the truck has been flawless. I will say a dealership with a top notch service department ran by someone of integrity is worth looking for. Fortunately two of the three dealerships here fit the bill.
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You should see my post "My EcoDiesel Nightmare", I'm about to update it this morning with all the juicy new adventures
I used to love my ecodiesel. I own a 2014 and I have just over 29000kms on mine. Girlfriend has truck in souther Alberta, heading back to campsite. Engine goes thump thump and dies. Completely dead. Can't wait to see what the issue is. Family mechanic says it's the engine is toast. Had to get towed back to Calgary. Roadside assistance wanted to tow me to closest dealership which would have been in southern BC. That dealership does not have loaner vehicles, and after reading posts on how long it will take to get an engine fixed or replaced, we will need long term loaner.
Completely disappointed with this truck. Dodge better step up and make it right.
I used to love my 2014 Eco also and even posted my likes many times. Fast forward to 3 weeks ago and at the 21000 mile mark mine died and less than a year old. Seemed like a simple problem, air conditioner at first, then dead battery. Two dealers later and the truck still sits there gathering dust. Took them a week just to get a new battery so they could troubleshoot ! They told me it was fixed after two and a half weeks and I went to pick it up and the AC still did not work. Now I'm faced with renting a truck to pull my boat on a two week vacation. Buyers beware !
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