[Scuba diver 71]

Hello everybody,

My 2014 Laramie limited Ecodiesel has been plagued with issues. I want to share my experience and get your feedback.
1. 05/14 dealer informs me that the truck shipped from factory but needs a fuel level sensor replaced. A week later it is fixed and I take a delivery.
2. 06/14 minor glitches with radio volume disappearing, bluetooth phone connectivity, cruise control not turning on, auto lights not turning off in bright daylight, etc. I choose to wait.
3. 09/14 7000k miles. Engine working rough in 1500 rpm range. Soon after check engine light comes on. I take it in. They diagnose oxygen sensor failure, order a new one, put me in a brand new ram hemi loaner. 2 weeks later sensor gets fixed, software re flashed under some recall, all back to normal.
4. 10/14 a week after last dealer visit, cruise control starts acting up. Doesn't want to turn on at all. I call the dealer. They promise to take a look. I'm getting a bit uneasy.
5. 10/04/14 disaster strikes. I go to park on a side of street in downtown Chicago when my onboard computer says "throttle control malfunction" and check engine light comes on. I loose the throttle entirely. Truck is disabled. Can't go too far on idle. I call the dealer. They again promise to look into it. I turn the engine off and back on after 20 minutes. The throttle is back to normal but check engine light stays on. I'm late to my appointment and pissed beyond belief.


So, obviously this impressive list doesn't reflect good on my truck considering it is a $56k, 5 month old vehicle. I love the way it looks outside and in especially in my limited package, I love fuel economy (avg 23 MPG mostly city), love the way it sounds and drives but I am totally loosing confidence in overall quality of Ram. These are not glitches anymore. These are serious problems that are costing me lost business and major inconvenience. Today I started thinking about Toyota Tundra Diesel.

 

[firemist32]

Sorry about your issues. There are some bad eggs in the bunch for sure and that is unfortunate. I don't know how many thousands of these trucks are on the road, but I assume that because there are only a handful on our forum (I think less than 10) that seem to have duds out of the almost thousand members we have that at least it is not an issue out of control with build quality and more just bad luck.

I hope they can fix your issues as they have for me. I had all kinds of random electrical issues early on (that I made a post about) that they did a software update on and all of them have gone away. I have a Laramie with about 5500 miles and no other issues to speak of.

Also I was not aware Toyota announced a Tundra Diesel but I know Nissan has for the Titan

 

[Scuba diver 71]

I don't think toyota announced it yet but it is coming sooner or later. My last truck was 2010 tundra 5.7 V8. I traded it in with 100k miles for my ED. In 3.5 years and 100k miles I never had to do anything, not even a single burned out light bulb.

 

[Diesel Washington]

I`m surprised you have encountered so many problems. Most people love their trucks. Is it possible to do the lemon law thing?

 

[Scuba diver 71]

The lemon law in Illinois applies only if they fail to fix the same problem after 3 attempts. I'm not there yet but with my luck....could be pretty soon.

 

[mattyj724]

both the tundra diesel and Nissan will both have similar issues.. Its a first round truck. with something this new, there will always be bad eggs.

 

[Tim]

look for another clause, like 30 total days in a calender year.

 

[10%More]

Except for problem #3 , none are remotely engine related or transmission related. All share one fundamental issue. They are ALL related to electrical complexity.


That kind of complexity is common to most all vehicles made today. It's sad when all the government-required emission crap causes so many issues. Add on our desire for complex operating, comfort and entertainment systems and we create our own plate of problems.


Sad you paid probably a whole lot and are not getting reasonable satisfaction on those issues. I just think the packages we demand and buy are too complex to be reliable.

 

[rkegs450r]

Sorry as well about your issues with your truck. My first oil change is coming up tomorrow morning, and like yours, mine just threw the CEL as well. I figured it might be something related to the first service coming up, but after reading a few forums, I've come to realize it could be something larger. I'm really hoping this isn't my second vehicle in a row that I have to get rid of within 12K miles because of multiple problems. As of now with the light on, there hasn't been any change in idle, power, or fuel mileage. So I'm hoping that it is just a download update or something.

 

[Haulin]

Sorry as well about your issues with your truck. My first oil change is coming up tomorrow morning, and like yours, mine just threw the CEL as well. I figured it might be something related to the first service coming up, but after reading a few forums, I've come to realize it could be something larger. I'm really hoping this isn't my second vehicle in a row that I have to get rid of within 12K miles because of multiple problems. As of now with the light on, there hasn't been any change in idle, power, or fuel mileage. So I'm hoping that it is just a download update or something.

Welcome to the forum, keep us posted on how things go with when you take it in for service.

 

[Anomaly]

Except for problem #3 , none are remotely engine related or transmission related. All share one fundamental issue. They are ALL related to electrical complexity.

You are correct regarding electrical problems. However, as a retired electronic design project engineer, I don't believe that electrical complexity is the issue, but one of quality. Modern electronic designs can be more reliable than mechanical systems if designed properly and if the designs are executed with high quality components. Unfortunately, auto components have to work in adverse environments and qualified components are expensive. It's pretty clear that the bean counters limit the quality of what the auto engineers can specify. They certainly do not compare with the reliability of aircraft electronics, for example.

 

[10%More]

Never gave "quality" a thought related to all the electrical/computer applications.


That stuff bothers me as my parameters for "good" are all related to transportation and hauling from point "A" to point "B". This modern craze for fancy colors, seats, power everything, radio, video etc. just "floors" me.


None of those things have much importance to me as they are not issues in the basic transportation uses of a truck. If I am comfortable I am asleep.


To drive alertly I need to be a bit miserable and attentive.

 

[Anomaly]

I'm afraid that the auto manufacturers are a bit behind the curve as far as electronic technology is concerned, or perhaps just slow or cautious.


I could imaging a system that is semi-intelligent. Consider a WIFI based system whereby every MIL is sent to a cluster of computers that have certain jobs to perform. The clusterreceives MIL data and compares it with data previously taken from the particular vehicle. It determines if this is an ongoing or new problem and categorizes its severity. If it is not of serious importance, it can command the MIL to turn off. Maybe send a message that we know you have a problem and we are watching it. If it's a known problem that only requires a firmware flash, it downloads the upgrade and waits for the next time the vehicle is shut off to upgrade. If the problem requires the vehicle to be taken to a service dept., it could send a message to that effect. If the problem is severe, it could tell you to drive to the nearest service place and even let them know that you are coming. Not severe? Make an appointment online from the vehicle. The possibilities are unlimited and they haven't begun to exploit the benefits of modern electronics.


And then there are redundant systems and self diagnosing systems that can heal themselves, which I won't even touch on....

 

[Anomaly]

Never gave "quality" a thought related to all the electrical/computer applications.


That stuff bothers me as my parameters for "good" are all related to transportation and hauling from point "A" to point "B". This modern craze for fancy colors, seats, power everything, radio, video etc. just "floors" me.


None of those things have much importance to me as they are not issues in the basic transportation uses of a truck. If I am comfortable I am asleep.


To drive alertly I need to be a bit miserable and attentive.

Your parameters for "good" are perhaps what most people would op for; transportation that is trouble free. This is what prompted me to write the previous post. The more transparent issues with the vehicle are, the better people will like it. I don't think any of us cherish a trip to the dealer.


IMO, the auto manufacturers don't do enough testing before releasing a new model. Like the software companies and others, they release products that are not ready for release and let the consumer find the bugs for them. Corporate bean counter mentality...

 

[ValVale]

THe problem isn't the components, the problem is programming...

 

[Anomaly]

THe problem isn't the components, the problem is programming...

I think that you will find that they are replacing a lot of sensors as well as firmware updates.

 

[remidad]

Some problems

I took delivery on my Longhorn crewcab Ecodiesel in late April after waiting a very long time. I had been following the release of the truck for about 1 1/2 years. I finally got it and love it. I have had a few problems with it so far. My problems were similar to Scuba Diver. I had a warning light that the throttle was not working and the engine light also came onat about 4500 miles. Couldn't get it to go faster then an Idle. I brought the truck in and service had it 5 days. When I got it back they told me it was just a software update. About 2 weeks later I went to close my drivers door and heard a rattle in my roof, (sounded like the moon roof was off the track) At that point my check engine light came on as well. I brought it in again and after 2 days the dealer told me that the light came on because of a faulty sensor, parts had to be ordered so they gave me back the truck and told me they would get in touch with me when the part came in. I was told it is not a problem to drive around with the check engine light on. Another week went by and they called that the parts were in. I took it back and after 2 days I was given the truck back supposedly fixed. I drove about 50 miles more and the check engine light came back on. It is back in the shop again. I was wondering if any other owners were having the same problem? I am checking my State's lemon law and was looking for any advise. I am in Florida.
Thanks

 

[FormerFord]

I have 6K on my Laramie CC ED and about 4K with the CEL on. Been to service department 4 times, contacted Chrysler 2 times for case numbers and have another service appointment next week. Interestingly today CEL did not come - first time in several weeks.

Have also experienced the rough acceleration at low rpm a few times, which I have seen mentioned elsewhere. Love the truck, but this issue and less than responsive service department is driving me nuts. My first Chrysler product ever and I have not been impressed. Last vehicle was an Infiniti and was treated awesome and any issue, which were few, were done quickly and completely. My ED was about $10k more than my Infiniti, so I guess I expected similar service?

End of rant!

 

[Jose luis]

Remidad welcome to the club. I have the same problem with CEL and continue awaiting for sofware update..

 

[Scuba diver 71]

So I have not made it back to the dealer yet after my throttle malfunction since everything went back to normal. My cruise control still acts up here and there and now I hope it is somehow related to my isolated throttle loss event and could be an easy fix. Otherwise, my average mixed driving fuel mileage is up to 24.5 MPG which is great. Since the roads became somewhat slippery, I noticed slightly delayed intervention from ASC system. I'm sure it is normal as I am used to Toyota's instant ASC response not allowing much of wheel spin.