Buy Back?

[RamCares]

Looking for experiences. I've had my truck since January. I've had numerous issues with it and some that are on going.

1) Driver door had an air leak. Took 3 visits to address. When it was there the service adviser noticed the exterior molding was also cracked on the pillar of the door which needed replacement. Fixed

2) There's an engine noise that sounds very similar to a pulley bearing that has started ever since 1,000 miles. It has gotten more noticeable to the point where the wife is even asking me what it is and why it's making that noise. This issue is on-going and after my case manager sent me to 2 different dealerships they are now wanting me to go to a 3rd. It has been verified as not normal by both a service manager and a technician when compared to other vehicles on the lot. NOT fixed.

3) Outside temp control was extremely inaccurate. It would read 70F when it was 25F which also had a direct effect on the heated seats and auto climate control operation for remote starts. Fixed.

4) I could not fill my gas tank when first purchased. Apparently the gas hose was twisted at the factory. Fixed.

5) The gauge cluster clear cover was scratched from the factory. Fixed.

6) The 8.4A radio is very slow to respond to inputs, particularly steering volume control as well as the mute button. I have video of audio cutting in and out on USB and radio as well as it locking up entirely so none of the screen works at all. NOT fixed.

7) Remote start fails intermittently. Every few weeks I will remote start the vehicle. It will have the message "remote start in progress" and after about 3 minutes of not starting it says "remote start canceled, please start manually". NOT fixed.

8) The rear window slides open normal about half way and then slows way down and at times has completely stopped opening. Scheduled appointment at the 3rd dealership next week. NOT fixed.

9) The brakes "lock up" specifically when I am changing from drive to reverse. This is especially noticed in my driveway and magnified when backing my boat. I have a gravel driveway and after reversing then braking and then shifting to drive the brakes grab and hold and when they release my tires will spin briefly. This will also be looked at next week. NOT fixed.

10) Lastly, driving home from 2 hours away last evening I got the common and dreaded P0299 code on the EcoD for service electronic throttle control. Many different sources of info for this code but so far it seems there isn't a known fix. I'll have to make an appointment today for this one. Luckily I was still able to drive at speed however my turbo disengaged due to this code and the truck drives like an under powered moped. Obviously NOT fixed.

11) Passenger seat belt would randomly un-latch right after purchasing the truck. Fixed.

12) Timing chain cover seal leaking at 5k. R&R was 3 days. Major repair on this engine. Common issue as well. So far I believe it's fixed.

Thoughts??? After pushing the case manager they did provide a bumper to bumper warranty for 100k with a $100 deductible. However since then even more issues have come up and continue to not get fixed.

I do have a lawyer at my disposal however I am looking for any kind of similar experiences.

Thanks for reading.

Oh, almost forgot.

12) The timing chain cover was leaking at 5,000 miles. 3 day repair. I haven't noticed leaking again just yet but I suppose I should check on it. So far it's fixed.

Thanks for the responses. I hope I can find a dealership that will assist me with integrity.

As far as the noise and still not fixed even though it was verified, the first dealership basically said don't worry about it. The second dealership is where it was test driven and compared to a like model. They said "It's a diesel, unless it breaks don't be concerned."

Hi Podcast,
We want to apologize that so many of your concerns have yet to be resolved. I saw that you are currently working with a case manager to address all of your concerns. Please send me a private message with you case number so we can look into this further for you.
Lydia,
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[John-e-racer]

Ahh man, posts like this really bum me out. Good luck and sorry to hear this. My ram is 2018 and only has 5k miles but I would hate to be in your shoes.

 

[RammerHarder]

Ahh man, posts like this really bum me out. Good luck and sorry to hear this. My ram is 2018 and only has 5k miles but I would hate to be in your shoes.

I agree... i`ve got problems already at 5k miles with my 2018 sport. Truck has been leaving me stranded, wont start. I`ll never go back to where i bought my truck, due to way to many past bad problems with them repairing (screwing up) past vehicles. And they NEVER call me back. Not communicating with the customer is NOT going to fix the vehicle. And these vehicles sure as hell arent going to fix themselves either. Going to take a chance on a dealership a friend of mine goes to. I hope mine dont turn into a lemon law case. But i WILL do it if i have to. But for right now, i`m going to give this other dealership a chance. Might even have to go back and buy toyota again. The toyota`s i`ve owned in the past never had to go back countless times to the dealer for problems. Maybe thats why i was treated better at toyota... i didnt have to have a cot or a coffee maker and alarm clock at the toyota dealerships. Seems i lived at these chrysler dealers to long to get **** fixed. Wore out my welcome i guess. But like i said, i`m gonna give this other dealer a shot at fixing this truck. If it turns into countless trips back to fix this truck, it`ll go bye-bye in a heartbeat, and it wont be for another FCA vehicle. Wife an i both agree, (she owns a chrysler) that these are our last chrysler products.

 

[Podcast]

My case is continuing. Now being escalated from a case manager to a buy back case.

Unless the dealership does me right by offering a substantial incentive(which is extremely doubtful)I'll go back to my Fords. I have owned an 06 1500 Hemi Ram and a 2013 Hemi Ram and never did I have any concerns with either of them through 120k, not a single repair on either, never even had to replace the brakes on the '13 in that time period. Those 2 Rams were great trucks but prior to that, owning 6 Fords in a row, none of which gave me issue, it may be time to get back to 'ole reliable. Originally I went with my '06 for the good deal and then the '13 since it got much better mileage and Ram had seemed to turn its reputation around. I had agreed to that until my current '17 purchase.

I guess we shall see how this goes. I've heard it's not an enjoyable experience. I also doubt I get any reimbursement for the $1,000 invested in extras after the purchase either. Here goes nothing.

 

[RammerHarder]

My case is continuing. Now being escalated from a case manager to a buy back case.

Unless the dealership does me right by offering a substantial incentive(which is extremely doubtful)I'll go back to my Fords. I have owned an 06 1500 Hemi Ram and a 2013 Hemi Ram and never did I have any concerns with either of them through 120k, not a single repair on either, never even had to replace the brakes on the '13 in that time period. Those 2 Rams were great trucks but prior to that, owning 6 Fords in a row, none of which gave me issue, it may be time to get back to 'ole reliable. Originally I went with my '06 for the good deal and then the '13 since it got much better mileage and Ram had seemed to turn its reputation around. I had agreed to that until my current '17 purchase.

I guess we shall see how this goes. I've heard it's not an enjoyable experience. I also doubt I get any reimbursement for the $1,000 invested in extras after the purchase either. Here goes nothing.

Podcast,
I understand your pain... i`m not raining on your parade, but a friend of mine just went thru a buy-back with his ford truck, so now he owns a ram, and loves it. Dont get me wrong my friend, i`ve loved every one of the ram trucks i`ve owned, and i love my 2018 the best, its the dealerships and the factory that i have the problem with. As far as i`m concerned, ram has the nicest truck out there, but if it has problems, and the dealer cant/wont fix it, and the factory stands there with its thumb up its ass, well, thats not making the brand any better.

All brands have bad vehicles, but until the factory`s get their heads AND their thumbs out of their asses, customers will jump from ship to ship. At the end of the day, one bad truck can leave a bad taste in your mouth. I dont want to deal with buy-back ordeal, i`ll just trade out of mine if it continues to be a problem child. Yup, i`ll take a loss, but at the end of the day, its all good. What i`m looking for, is a dealer that can fix things and do it right the first time. I dont like having to go back to a dealer several times, truck not fixed, no help from the factory, and diagnois the problem, then tell dealer how to fix the problem. Seems thats the norm in every situation at every dealership i`ve been at. When your a master tech for 3 different brands, its hard to go into all these dealerships and see nothing but stupid going on. The worst thing of all, is being lied to. Wishing you the best Podcast. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Podcast, your disappointment is clear and understood. I am a few weeks ahead of you with my buy back. Replacement truck is ordered, but build time will be 12-14 weeks. Your right it is a hassle. Will need to remove and store the aftermarket items. Re install on new truck. FCA will not compensate for bed covers etc. The real tragedy is what each of these buy backs realy cost FCA. By the time the story gets told, 1 buy back can cost 10 sales. I am a brand loyalist. This the first Dodge/Ram truck that the dealer and FCA could not correct. As said, Ford and GM have their issues. My neighbor is still chasing a running vibration in his GMC 2018 2500 and the dealer has about given up. Frustrating when you recognize that our trucks, I believe, are more enjoyable and satisfying than the others,,, When they are right.

 

[Podcast]

Well they declined the buy back. Looking into a lawyer. Any experience with a knowledgeable lawyer in Wisconsin anyone???

 

[huntergreen]

Well they declined the buy back. Looking into a lawyer. Any experience with a knowledgeable lawyer in Wisconsin anyone???

Being in Jersey, I know no one out your way. Sorry it didn't go your way.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Not good. Can't help you with a Wisconsin referral. But, a couple thoughts. I wanted to have a lemon law attorney in back ground in the event I needed one. Pulled several from the internet in my area. Read the reviews. Called a couple. Asked how long they have been handling LL. How many cases. How many wins. Found one that qualified. Explained to him what I had and how I was handling. He agreed to step in if I needed him. The good ones want to be engaged after the second attempt to repair.
The one you are looking for is from a referral that had success.

 

[firemedic10584]

Man, I keep seeing more and more buy-back threads on here specifically with 2018 models. What did FCA mess up with this year truck?? OP - I can't help either but definitely do a internet search and contact some local lemon law attorneys. I'm currently in the lemon law process myself now with my 2018. Good luck!

 

[OCDTech]

I've done a little research on other things quality, such as say appliances. They seem to be the same as im starting to see with cars and trucks now. If all manufactures ( the big 3 in particular) do not care to up their game and it seem none don't then they probably realize people will do exactly as RammerHarder says jump ship to ship. Just a big circle, THEY all win. But if one would really up their game they could really do well, until the others follow suit (from a loss of customers) them everyone would win. If you notice fast food seems to do this as well, notice next time, they only work as fast as however many people are in line. One in line very slow, 100 in line still slow. Sadly everything is seeming to follow this pattern.