New-to-me truck at the dealer. Again!

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Hirsbrunner

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Just bought this truck. 29,845 miles on it, now 30,777.

It was at the dealer twice for two recalls, one having to do with cruise control, and the other for the rear driveshaft. Now, it has a brand new rear driveshaft and CC was reprogrammed to work right. Sweet!

Problem one: While at the dealer for those recalls, the service advisor noticed a popping noise coming from behind the dash (which I noticed too) if the truck is sitting and off, or right when it starts, OR when I switch from defrost to regular heat. Blend door actuators. Bring it back after you've owned the truck for 30 days so I can get after CarMax with your warranty. Fine. 30 days ownership was 2 days later.

Just took it in this morning for the actuators, but have also noticed a sound coming from under the dash near my feet. I'm not sure what it is, but I took a video to show the service advisor. I know MaxCare doesn't cover brakes, but I do know that they didn't put OEM brake parts on this truck.


The THIRD problem is with one of my rear wheels. It was missing a center cap, so naturally I ordered one. Went to install it a few days ago and noticed the wheel is actually damaged. It's cracked all the way through, almost like someone bludgeoned it with a mallet trying to get the old center cap out. I'm not sure what they did, but I sure as heck didn't do it. I saved a photo of the original sale listing showing the rear wheel with the missing center cap to prove that I didn't do it. (Cosmetic? Maybe. Maybe not.)

This is frustrating. I really like the truck. This is why I bought the warranty, and I'm thrilled that the dealer honors it as well. However, the blend door actuators confuse me as to why they're out so early. I get things happen, but it's frustrating.

Anyway, that's it for my first real thread. I'll update the info I get back from the dealer. I hope I posted in the right place. Thanks for reading.
 

Jeepwalker

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Glad you like your truck overall.

"Ususally" Blend Door Actuators, last quite a while. I've had some go 200k, but I've also had brand new Chrysler BDA's fail in a year as well. That sound you might be hearing could be the blend doors doing a 'sweep'. That's when the HVAC computer runs the actuators (and hence blend doors) through a sweep of it's entire range (open/closed) to recalibrate. That way the HVAC module can best know what position the blend door is actually at in it's full range of travel. Recalibration is normal and occurs at various frequencies. If you hear it a LOT then it might point to something like an actual blend *door* broken off it's hinge ...in which case the door never reaches full stop (because the shaft can keep rotating). But usually it's the actuators. And they kind of (sometimes) squeak as they do their recal procedure.

The Wheel, hmmmm hard to say what caused it to crack. Does the crack go to a lug nut? Otherwise, it could have been some ape tire tech who used an old-school tire changer (hold-down shaft through the center) and put too much air to the machine and all that pressure cracked the wheel. Most new wheels won't fit on old school tire changers. Or you can BARELY get them to fit. I've tried to put newer-ish wheels on older school Coats 40/40 changers and the like. Yes you can get the screw to go on a couple threads sometimes, and the pneumatic arm ..you can juuuuussst barely get it to catch on the machine. Or you can flip the rim upside down and do it that way. Sometimes if a tire is REALLY on tight, an old school tire changer is the perfect tool to get the bead broken. But ya have to be careful ...it could crack a wheel in the center if a guy wasn't careful. And we know how 'careful' tire techs can be. That's why I always take my wheels down to the tire place in the back of my OTHER truck ...and stand there while they change them. It's amazing how rough some guys can be. Then the next guy might be real conciencious. Should be able to find a decent used wheel, or have CarMax get you one. At least you discovered the crack -- good eye!

The rest of the things are just things that cropped up. Best you get them taken care of so you can be on to enjoying your truck once you get the little things taken care of. Good thinking on the warranty!! :)
 
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gofishn

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Welcome to the Forum!!

Yo Woes are not brand specific but used truck items.

Recalls are recalls and happen across all brands. Be glad thee are minor ones.

Imagine it is time to start hunting down a rim at a junk yeard that looks good. Good Luck geting seller to pay for it.

wish you nothing but the very best and hope you get decades of excellent service from your new truck.

THings cost as much as small Home, they should lasat as long
 
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Hirsbrunner

Hirsbrunner

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I expect to hear something from them today.

To be clear, I understand recalls happen. No issues with that portion.

But, seems to me Carmax cut their corners a little bit. How they didn't notice the rear wheel is really beyond me. I'll do my best to get them to cover it. I'm totally prepared to give them a phone call (or several). Normally, I'm not one to do that, but I refuse to pay a whole bunch of money for a rim that CAME to me damaged.

My biggest concern is those actuators. If they indeed are bad, that's a big job. I have no concern that they will be covered, but I am concerned with them puling the dash and screwing other things up.
 
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Hirsbrunner

Hirsbrunner

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Frustration. That is all I'm feeling with this crap right now.

Heard from the dealer. They found that, yes, the passenger side actuator is bad, the rim needs to be replaced, and it does indeed need front brakes. They also replaced a transfer case seal for free under the factory powertrain warranty that lasts until June.

HOWEVER: They won't fix it because it's still under Carmax's 90-day warranty. Okay, fine, but now I have to go pick it up, pay them for their time diagnosing it ($175) and then drive it 40 minutes to the Carmax I bought it from.

I'm frustrated with myself that I didn't just take it there in the first place, but I'm also being reimbursed from Carmax for that $175 and the ~$15 center cap I bought online. So, fine, burned some gas.

What really is making me angry is that Carmax's supposed 125-point inspection didn't find these issues? It makes me think that they didn't even DO the inspection in the first place. I'm not one to let service guys have it, because this isn't their fault, but I was probably pretty angry on the phone and they know it.

Anyway, they took it in, and I told them to do the 125-point inspection that they didn't do because I don't want to have to bring it back here. I'm wary of Carmax "techs" doing it, and would rather have just left it at the dealer 10 minutes away from my house, but I wasn't going to chance it when all this work is no charge.

That's where we're at folks. I'll update again as needed.
 

Travelin Ram

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My thought is chill and adjust your expectations. Bear in mind this is coming from a perfectionist with control issues who trusts no one to touch his stuff. So there is that LOL.

What I mean is you seem to have a nearby dealer who is competent and honest. That’s a WIN.

CarMax is stepping up to honor their warranty. Another win. Yes, they probably fumbled the inspection process. But you’re coming out a lot better than if you’d bought it at most other used car sellers. There they’d just remind you it was sold “as-is” and show you the door.

So far nothing is seriously wrong or indicative of collision damage or long term reliability issues looming. Just catching up on a few items the previous owner neglected. I think you’re fortunate to have a decent used truck and a good place to get it maintained.
 

GRKN

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My biggest concern is those actuators. If they indeed are bad, that's a big job. I have no concern that they will be covered, but I am concerned with them puling the dash and screwing other things up.
Then you have nothing to worry about. That’s a 10 minute job if you know what your doing, maybe 30 if it’s your first time. You can buy an actuator online or from the dealer for well under $50 and change it yourself, plenty of YouTube videos on it. But it sounds like that will be all taken care of for you

You don’t have to pull the entire dash for that actuator, only the bezel around your radio and controls and such. You’d have to try to screw up anything else along the way.
 

mdc1990zr1

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Frustration. That is all I'm feeling with this crap right now.

Heard from the dealer. They found that, yes, the passenger side actuator is bad, the rim needs to be replaced, and it does indeed need front brakes. They also replaced a transfer case seal for free under the factory powertrain warranty that lasts until June.

HOWEVER: They won't fix it because it's still under Carmax's 90-day warranty. Okay, fine, but now I have to go pick it up, pay them for their time diagnosing it ($175) and then drive it 40 minutes to the Carmax I bought it from.

I'm frustrated with myself that I didn't just take it there in the first place, but I'm also being reimbursed from Carmax for that $175 and the ~$15 center cap I bought online. So, fine, burned some gas.

What really is making me angry is that Carmax's supposed 125-point inspection didn't find these issues? It makes me think that they didn't even DO the inspection in the first place. I'm not one to let service guys have it, because this isn't their fault, but I was probably pretty angry on the phone and they know it.

Anyway, they took it in, and I told them to do the 125-point inspection that they didn't do because I don't want to have to bring it back here. I'm wary of Carmax "techs" doing it, and would rather have just left it at the dealer 10 minutes away from my house, but I wasn't going to chance it when all this work is no charge.

That's where we're at folks. I'll update again as needed.
Remember, it applies to everyone and everything......the work is only as good as they guy doing it. Even when you go to the same McDonalds.....sometimes the Big Mac is standing straight with the meat and condiments centered in the bun and other times it looks deconstructed in the bottom of the box and you have to put it together. Thank God for the Carmax warranty.
 

mdc1990zr1

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Then you have nothing to worry about. That’s a 10 minute job if you know what your doing, maybe 30 if it’s your first time. You can buy an actuator online or from the dealer for well under $50 and change it yourself, plenty of YouTube videos on it. But it sounds like that will be all taken care of for you

You don’t have to pull the entire dash for that actuator, only the bezel around your radio and controls and such. You’d have to try to screw up anything else along the way.
Do you really want some hack digging into your bezel with a screwdriver? Make sure you emphasize to the manager what your expectations are for the repair.
 

RamCares

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We see that you have received some great advice from your fellow forum members! However, if these suggestions do not address your concern and you decide to visit your dealer, our team would be happy to offer additional assistance throughout that process! We're available via private message.

Callie
Ram Cares
 

GRKN

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Do you really want some hack digging into your bezel with a screwdriver? Make sure you emphasize to the manager what your expectations are for the repair.
If your that OCD about it, just do it yourself. Chances are slim OP is unfortunate enough to get a tech that stupid, sounds like the dealer is being very reasonable
 
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Hirsbrunner

Hirsbrunner

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Absolutely glad I bought the warranty. I guess my frustration is due to me writing them a $XX,*** check and they (I think) hadn't done their inspection of the truck. I'm happy I won't have to pay anything, but it is a big inconvenience not having my truck.

If anyone's interested, they gave me a Chevy Equinox to drive around in the mean time.:Big Laugh:
 
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Hirsbrunner

Hirsbrunner

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Update:

New brakes all around, new rim, new transfer case seal, new actuator, 125-point inspection verified as completed by the service manager. No charge to me. No leaks from engine, diff's, trans, or anything, so we should be good to go now.

Very happy they handled everything so quickly and that I get reimbursed; Still disappointed in the fact that they didn't do as advertised thus the big inconvenience.

I appreciate all the responses to my thread. I don't want to come off as a negative guy; This is, however, my first nice pickup that I've purchased and I expected it to not be in the shop as much as it has been. Things happen. I get that. I hope you all understand where I'm coming from.

Until next time.
 

Jeepwalker

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Here's to (hopefully) many trouble-free miles :favorites13:
 

Dodge 1500 4X4

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Wow great to hear a positive outcome, glad they stood behind there word, great motoring in the future!!!
 

crazy jerry

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you can run the vin of any vehicle prior to purchase and see any open recalls. obviously you didnt do that. no one to blame but yourself.
the actuators would be impossible to predict when they go bad. maybe it was just your unlucky day.
the damage rim is unfortunate but thats the risk you take buying used stuff
 
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