Ram recalls and terrible customer service

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Dusty

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Keep documenting. We JUST got out of a 9 month battle between Ford corporate and our local dealership over our 2019 Expedition transmission. Short version... The dealer was supposed to do a recall, and ended up rebuilding the entire transmission because Ford is still redesigning the components and had figured out that the 3 TSBs on our trans was not fixing the problem with them jumping out of gear. So far we're out of pocket $4,000 that Ford is supposed to reimburse us, and once we got the car back we went exactly 88 miles before the transmission flopped and left us stranded again.

Eventually, instead of wanting a lawsuit (because the dealer lied to us multiple times in writing) the dealer bought the car back from us last week and we were able to walk away. AT LEAST the Ford rep said that because of our issues and similar ones with 19 other customers, they are about to issue a nationwide recall on the 10R80 transmissions. That will impact every F150, Ranger, Mustang, Expedition (and all the Lincoln counterparts). It's also shared in the GM platforms (a variant) as well and they're beginning to see some similar issues to go along with their lifter problems.

It's not just Ram. It seems like most manufacturers and dealerships are in the same boat now.
My neighbor's F150 is on it's third 10R80 and it took a month to get the last one replaced.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 82704 miles
 

nlambert182

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My neighbor's F150 is on it's third 10R80 and it took a month to get the last one replaced.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 82704 miles
I would have loved a 1 month turn.

Our trans went out in June of 2022. We got it back the first time December 10th... By December 13th it had failed again and had to be towed back into the shop.

Ford reimbursed us for 2 car payments yesterday (as a courtesy; their offer, not our request) but they still owe us another $1,200 in rental car reimbursement fees that are covered under the warranty.
 

Mikeyram

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No parts is simply no parts, there is nothing a dealership can do to make a manufacturer escalate a component build for you.

FCA does not make these parts, a 3rd party does, all they do is install the assemblies on the production line. In my industry (IT), I have a 6-9mo lead time on all switching equipment. That's like me screaming at my vendor to yell at Cisco, who then has to yell at some chinese company who makes the chips. Simply not going to happen. Do I like it, hell no, but I accept it. Covid f'd up the whole worlds supply chain.

Additionally, and this is a big one, you have threatened legal action against the people that's job it is to help you escalate. They will no longer help you based simply on that, seen it time and time again. The case is now flagged and they will now defer to their legal team for communications with your lawyer.

You should also be blaming the state of California. I have heard if no other state that will fail inspection due to a recall that is not emisions related causing the computer to be in a "not ready" condition.

Probably not going to get too many folks to side with you on this. You would have been better off asking for substitute transportation while your truck is not drivable rather than finacial compensation. They can absorb that cost, same as oil changes and tire rotations.

My 2cents....
It isn’t only California. I’m in Mississippi and I can’t get the recall on the transmission did. Claim no parts, only get one a week and it’s gone before I can get there. I wish I knew how to handle it
 

Yardbird

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I can't understand why every manufacturer cheeps out on design and testing, then ends up with mad ex-customers and lawsuits. It seems counterproductive.

I know the executives are only looking at stock prices so they can get higher bonuses, but still...

As an example..... I bought my '87 F150, 4x4 in late 1992. I still have it. In all these years, I have spent less on repairs than three monthly payments on the new-to-me 2018 Ram I bought this August.

The '94 Ram 2500 with a V-10 I've had since 2007 has cost me less than that in repairs.

I admit, I don't drive a whole lot, but these newer trucks are going down at low miles.
 

gofishn

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Yes, however I still don't take these risks nor do I trust the gov't or anyone else to do anything. You do you.
I agree with you about not missing payments.
I also agree, one should never with hold a payment.

Foolishly harms your credit score.

HOWEVER:

Credit is just a game. Once one learns how to play, its all good.

Explain how Trump could file BK, not once, not twice, but THREE times,
yet still be a Gazillionaire, who can borrow tens of millions?

Because he knows the Game.

All of them, from the Government, to the Banks, to the News Media, want us all, to live in Fear, of Everything.
Just like a Toddler, being Fearful of what could happen, if they misbehave, Fear makes us easier to manipulate and control.

Don't be fearful, learn how to play the Game.
Knowledge really is the greatest Weapon.
 
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gofishn

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I can't understand why every manufacturer cheeps out on design and testing, then ends up with mad ex-customers and lawsuits. It seems counterproductive.

I know the executives are only looking at stock prices so they can get higher bonuses, but still...

As an example..... I bought my '87 F150, 4x4 in late 1992. I still have it. In all these years, I have spent less on repairs than three monthly payments on the new-to-me 2018 Ram I bought this August.

The '94 Ram 2500 with a V-10 I've had since 2007 has cost me less than that in repairs.

I admit, I don't drive a whole lot, but these newer trucks are going down at low miles.
Because they did their homework and decided its more profitable ot do thing, this way.
Forcing us all to teach them, the lesson that they made a huge mistake, with our lawsuits and the settlements provided.
Unforetunately, the only ones who really win, is the lawyers.

This not some local business man trying to make money, while actually caring about his customers.
This are Corporate Drones, who care about nothing other than how much they can make and how fast can they make it.
If it hurts the end consumer, how will afffect their own personal earnings.

Can they run the company , into the ground, while maximizing their own earnings
and, once the company is no more, move on to anothe successful position, elsewhere?
if so, they will do that.
 

Mittens

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I agree with you about not missing payments.
I also agree, one should never with hold a payment.

Foolishly harms your credit score.

HOWEVER:

Credit is just a game. Once one learns how to play, its all good.

Explain how Trump could file BK, not once, not twice, but THREE times,
yet still be a Gazillionaire, who can borrow tens of millions?

Because he knows the Game.

All of them, from the Government, to the Banks, to the News Media, want us all, to live in Fear, of Everything.
Just like a Toddler, being Fearful of what could happen, if they misbehave, Fear makes us easier to manipulate and control.

Don't be fearful, learn how to play the Game.
Knowledge really is the greatest Weapon.
I'm sure a team of lawyers helps in knowing how to play the game. Also there's "Borrow a little, the bank owns you. Borrow a lot, you own the bank."
I'd bet stopping payment is part of a perfectly viable plan, but is not in itself a plan.
 

06 Dodge

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It isn’t only California. I’m in Mississippi and I can’t get the recall on the transmission did. Claim no parts, only get one a week and it’s gone before I can get there. I wish I knew how to handle it
First off they just recently announced the trans fix so large amount of parts are not yet available, also if your not experiencing trans over heating or it pushing ATF out the fill tube don't worry so much, fyi my truck is included the the trans recall and I'm not going to worry so long as a CEL does not come on or I see signs of it pushing out ATF..
 

Mikeyram

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First off they just recently announced the trans fix so large amount of parts are not yet available, also if your not experiencing trans over heating or it pushing ATF out the fill tube don't worry so much, fyi my truck is included the the trans recall and I'm not going to worry so long as a CEL does not come on or I see signs of it pushing out ATF..
I agree I’m not having any obvious problems but I take the recall seriously because my grandkids are precious and I can’t be lazy about getting it done. Safety is the driving factor in getting this recall behind me. It seems like cooperate brutality to issue a service and not be able to do it. One dealer told me to check back in six months. Every dealer I contacted blamed Chrysler for not being able to do it. Thank you for your kind words sir
 

06 Dodge

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I agree I’m not having any obvious problems but I take the recall seriously because my grandkids are precious and I can’t be lazy about getting it done. Safety is the driving factor in getting this recall behind me. It seems like cooperate brutality to issue a service and not be able to do it. One dealer told me to check back in six months. Every dealer I contacted blamed Chrysler for not being able to do it. Thank you for your kind words sir
I also have my only grandkid in my truck often so I understand you wanting it done, but based on all that I have read in other forums I'm not going to lose sleep over it unless I see signs of a problem, but right now I am not towing any time soon so less worry...
 

gfh77665

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Explain how Trump could file BK, not once, not twice, but THREE times,
yet still be a Gazillionaire, who can borrow tens of millions?
Easy explanation: Did "Trump" himself go bankrupt, or did ONE of his companies go bankrupt?

It does not matter to me if people like DT or not, but there is no accuracy when people say "Trump" instead of "his company (or several)" went bankrupt. Gullible people believed so many media lies and mischaracterizations about him its unbelievable.
 

magman777

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This thread is way out in left field now. I would be interested in knowing what happened to the poor guy that lives in communist's state of CA.
 

HEMIMANN

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This particular site says 2017+ model year Rams are the most reliable trucks in the market.

I have no idea how accurate this site is, it may still serve as an indicator how many major issues other truck makers have. I'll stick with my 2017 Ram 2500, especially given all the new design issues coming up. Therefore, preservation becomes top priority for me, hence the protracted discussions about lubricant selection and change intervals. The single most important aspect of truck longevity.

We didn't used to have this much radical change in the markets, driven by both competitors and governments.

 

HEMIMANN

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Pweld19

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Maybe too late - but future:

If you need a fob to work today - and don't have a single one working, call around for a locksmith to come to you, program 1 fob, and that will get going today. Cheapest route if you call several and find the deal vs. going to a dealer. Then you can go deal with the back and forth with dealerships later, and having a spare never hurts. Myself, I only deal with one dealer in my area that has two.

The credit card receipt for anything is not a receipt to prove you bought a specific item to a business to either return or gain warranty coverage. You could have bought anything there. You could have also bought them on ebay.....just saying.

The most cost effective method with fobs is to by AlphaOBD and the OBDLink MX+, and some fobs off of ebay that are the right type for your vehicle and state they are ready to program in the listing. You'll probably spend less for all of this, and then have AlphaOBD to diagnose and clear codes on your vehicle as needed for future. If you already have AlphaOBD and OBDLink MX+ then just get the fobs ready to program and do a search online for how to do. Easy stuff, I've done the hands free fobs for mine (GQ4-54T) and I know the other type fobs you put in the ignition work as well.
We first tried to get two fobs that were purchased via the internet set up by a qualified locksmith. We were at his business while he tried to get them to work with our truck. It was 1 1/2 hours before he said sorry and gave up. That is when we bought ours from a reputable Dodge dealer we have other work done. The one fob gave out as it doe not depress. But, you can walk by the truck and the doors lock or it will signal the horn. So, we did take it to a different dealer in a different state. They stated after showing them the original receipt for the two fobs that a technician would have to check it out and it would be at least 2 hours for that. We were in the area for an appointment. So instead we are going to go back to the Dodge dealer where we bought these. Do appreciate suggesting a locksmith but we tried that route first.
 

JW2 Innovations

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We first tried to get two fobs that were purchased via the internet set up by a qualified locksmith. We were at his business while he tried to get them to work with our truck. It was 1 1/2 hours before he said sorry and gave up. That is when we bought ours from a reputable Dodge dealer we have other work done. The one fob gave out as it doe not depress. But, you can walk by the truck and the doors lock or it will signal the horn. So, we did take it to a different dealer in a different state. They stated after showing them the original receipt for the two fobs that a technician would have to check it out and it would be at least 2 hours for that. We were in the area for an appointment. So instead we are going to go back to the Dodge dealer where we bought these. Do appreciate suggesting a locksmith but we tried that route first.
Gotcha, well I see one thing that will definitely get you when you buy fobs off of the internet....they have to be "unlocked" to then be able to use on another vehicle. Not all locksmiths have this extra tool/capability as you have to have the right tool that connects to the circuit board of the FOB itself along with the right SW to "unlock" the FOB to be able to pair it to the next car/truck. Typically places that have this tool that "unlocks" the FOB charge $10-$15 per FOB to do it if you have FOB in hand. THEN they charge you *** to pair it to your car - or just give you one price that includes all this work. To me, just much easier to by FOB's on ebay that state that they have already been "unlocked" (for used ones) and I know when I get it I can use my AlphaOBD and the OBDLink MX+ to pair it to my vehicle (which I know works, cause I've done it with the hands free FOB on my 2016 Ram 2500 - along with the unlocking of FOB's part I mentioned above which is no fun).

New FOB part...not sure. A new FOB, whether dealer or online purchased from china should work out of the box, unless you've already added too many FOB's to the vehicle....which you'll have to remove to basically start fresh and add new ones...but that's a different topic.
 
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