bluesky69
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2015
- Posts
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- Ram Year
- 2012
- Engine
- 6.9 Cummins Diesel
I have a fleet of 30 trucks, and started purchasing Dodge Ram 5500 6.9 Cummins diesels in 2012-13. I have a total of 8 of those trucks currently. Each and every one have and/or are having MAJOR malfunctions with the DEF/Emission systems, typically start at around 80K miles, and gradually worsen up to about the 170K mile range, when they become unreliable, shut down, and cannot be utilized in my business. Of the 8 total I own, so far 6 have had the same issues, the other two are still below the seemingly "magic" miles of 75-80K and have not had the major issues.
I have taken these trucks to the two Dodge truck dealers in my area, one of them, after having my truck in their shop for over 60 days total during an 8 week period, and gouging my for over $15K in repair costs (which did NOT solve the issue at all), finally put out a letter stating that effective immediately, they would no longer be serving or repairing any more Dodge Ram trucks!! The remaining dealership is still performing the work, as I speak I have THREE trucks down there, one has been inoperable for over 5 weeks, that after paying said dealership $8K in repair cost!! GRRRR!!
The issue is the same: at lower miles the DEF warning light comes on, and the "countdown" of miles begins until the truck will shut down. I immediately have taken it to the dealer and they have attempted the "quick fix" of "flashing" the computer, which helps for a time period, ranging from 2 days, up to 2 months. Then it will happen again, with the same results, however the interval shortens each time before it goes off again. Finally it will reach a point as the mileage increases, where the "flashing" of the computer will no longer "fix" the problem, and the truck goes down and will not run. The dealer will have it for anywhere up to 2-3 weeks, give it back, it will run fine for a few days to a few weeks, then it starts all over again. The last 2 they have NOT been able to find a solution to, so they are just sitting at the dealership, while they attempt to replace parts and see if it helps. So far it is a "no go".
After dealing with this problem for going on 3 years, I cannot believe there are not many people having this problem other than the 3 or 4 others that I know, (we each have truck fleets, and each bought our Dodge Ram Cummins diesels about the same time) These other companies I am familiar with are having the same problems, again with no solution for them either, even though they are 50-100 miles from me, and are using different dealers for attempted repairs. So it does seem to be an overall problem with these work trucks. BTW, we are all located in California, so cannot simply pull off the emissions garbage as I have read some people do, since all of our fleets are inspected several times per year by the CHP, along with the smoke test shops.
So I guess the question is: Does anyone have a solution to this, other than attempting to sell these trucks off and replacing them with another brand? Thank you.
I have taken these trucks to the two Dodge truck dealers in my area, one of them, after having my truck in their shop for over 60 days total during an 8 week period, and gouging my for over $15K in repair costs (which did NOT solve the issue at all), finally put out a letter stating that effective immediately, they would no longer be serving or repairing any more Dodge Ram trucks!! The remaining dealership is still performing the work, as I speak I have THREE trucks down there, one has been inoperable for over 5 weeks, that after paying said dealership $8K in repair cost!! GRRRR!!
The issue is the same: at lower miles the DEF warning light comes on, and the "countdown" of miles begins until the truck will shut down. I immediately have taken it to the dealer and they have attempted the "quick fix" of "flashing" the computer, which helps for a time period, ranging from 2 days, up to 2 months. Then it will happen again, with the same results, however the interval shortens each time before it goes off again. Finally it will reach a point as the mileage increases, where the "flashing" of the computer will no longer "fix" the problem, and the truck goes down and will not run. The dealer will have it for anywhere up to 2-3 weeks, give it back, it will run fine for a few days to a few weeks, then it starts all over again. The last 2 they have NOT been able to find a solution to, so they are just sitting at the dealership, while they attempt to replace parts and see if it helps. So far it is a "no go".
After dealing with this problem for going on 3 years, I cannot believe there are not many people having this problem other than the 3 or 4 others that I know, (we each have truck fleets, and each bought our Dodge Ram Cummins diesels about the same time) These other companies I am familiar with are having the same problems, again with no solution for them either, even though they are 50-100 miles from me, and are using different dealers for attempted repairs. So it does seem to be an overall problem with these work trucks. BTW, we are all located in California, so cannot simply pull off the emissions garbage as I have read some people do, since all of our fleets are inspected several times per year by the CHP, along with the smoke test shops.
So I guess the question is: Does anyone have a solution to this, other than attempting to sell these trucks off and replacing them with another brand? Thank you.
