bluecoat
Junior Member
Have a 2017 2500 4x4, 6.4.
Drag Link Recall
In April, 2019 the dealer spot welded my drag link bar, advising a more permanent fix was being worked on. At that time I called FCA, they confirmed this and stated the warranty on the spot weld is 2 years from date it was welded....ain't that some S*%#!
Fast forward to last month... called my service rep who told me FCA originally approved the recall but are "kind of pulling back" on it, not sure why. I am sure cost and the number of vehicles involved has a lot to do with it. The rep confirmed they had one new (correct) drag link in stock. Told him I have some family members that will be driving the truck and was not comfortable with them in a vehicle having a welded drag link bar. Told him I will pay for the swap since he has the part in stock, and will sue FCA in small claims court, to me it was a slam dunk since my VIN # shows to eligible for replacement in the FCA database. I just asked him to talk to his boss to see if he can get me some kind of in house price break.
The next day the service manager called me up, he suggested before I go this route to make a claim with FCA stating word for word what I told the service rep, and to keep in mind the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Did that the next day and 48 hours later my claim was approved. Talked to a FCA supervisor and told them the dealer had the part in stock, she emailed me and the dealer giving authorization. Dropped my vehicle off at the dealer and they provided me with a free 2020 RAM 2500 loaner.
This is where the fun begins, FCA refused to now pay for the repair because the drag link in the dealers stock is a retail part and not a "good will" claim part. To make a long story short, after 18 days of numerous emails and phone calls by me and the dealer to FCA the drag link swap was completed.
FYI, to avoid this problem once your claim is approved do not take it in for repair until the dealer is in possession of a "good will" part directly tied to your claim.
ABS / Traction light issues
For the last 2months my ABS and traction lights randomly go on and off. If I am on the highway with cruise control on, it will disengage the cruise control. While this happens the message icon on the dash appears advising to SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. This message will go away after warning lights turn off. Usually happens 2-3 times a week, then goes away.
When I took the truck in for the drag link I told the service rep about it. Told him I read a bunch of stuff on the all knowing internet about dirty sensors, faulty electrical lines, etc. He said that was a bunch of bunk, it is a faulty ABS control unit, a known problem with this year model. He then confirmed it there in the service bay with a scanner and getting code c0020-01. My truck is out of warranty but my extended warranty covered it. This is an expensive fix, however if you need it done you want a RAM dealership to do it. There is a 2 year warranty from RAM for this repair. FYI, even if the lights are not acting up the computer stores the codes as long as the codes are not cleared.
While these problems are no fun, I am still not ready to give up on the RAM. My last two trucks were Tundras, a 2006 and 2011. Both were completely trouble free right up to the day I traded them off, however, I just like driving the RAM better. I highly recommend anyone considering a RAM to budget the extended warranty into your purchase, FYI, the price is negotiable. Even if you buy low mileage used, have a RAM dealer inspect it and purchase THEIR warranty.
Hope this helps!
Drag Link Recall
In April, 2019 the dealer spot welded my drag link bar, advising a more permanent fix was being worked on. At that time I called FCA, they confirmed this and stated the warranty on the spot weld is 2 years from date it was welded....ain't that some S*%#!
Fast forward to last month... called my service rep who told me FCA originally approved the recall but are "kind of pulling back" on it, not sure why. I am sure cost and the number of vehicles involved has a lot to do with it. The rep confirmed they had one new (correct) drag link in stock. Told him I have some family members that will be driving the truck and was not comfortable with them in a vehicle having a welded drag link bar. Told him I will pay for the swap since he has the part in stock, and will sue FCA in small claims court, to me it was a slam dunk since my VIN # shows to eligible for replacement in the FCA database. I just asked him to talk to his boss to see if he can get me some kind of in house price break.
The next day the service manager called me up, he suggested before I go this route to make a claim with FCA stating word for word what I told the service rep, and to keep in mind the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Did that the next day and 48 hours later my claim was approved. Talked to a FCA supervisor and told them the dealer had the part in stock, she emailed me and the dealer giving authorization. Dropped my vehicle off at the dealer and they provided me with a free 2020 RAM 2500 loaner.
This is where the fun begins, FCA refused to now pay for the repair because the drag link in the dealers stock is a retail part and not a "good will" claim part. To make a long story short, after 18 days of numerous emails and phone calls by me and the dealer to FCA the drag link swap was completed.
FYI, to avoid this problem once your claim is approved do not take it in for repair until the dealer is in possession of a "good will" part directly tied to your claim.
ABS / Traction light issues
For the last 2months my ABS and traction lights randomly go on and off. If I am on the highway with cruise control on, it will disengage the cruise control. While this happens the message icon on the dash appears advising to SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. This message will go away after warning lights turn off. Usually happens 2-3 times a week, then goes away.
When I took the truck in for the drag link I told the service rep about it. Told him I read a bunch of stuff on the all knowing internet about dirty sensors, faulty electrical lines, etc. He said that was a bunch of bunk, it is a faulty ABS control unit, a known problem with this year model. He then confirmed it there in the service bay with a scanner and getting code c0020-01. My truck is out of warranty but my extended warranty covered it. This is an expensive fix, however if you need it done you want a RAM dealership to do it. There is a 2 year warranty from RAM for this repair. FYI, even if the lights are not acting up the computer stores the codes as long as the codes are not cleared.
While these problems are no fun, I am still not ready to give up on the RAM. My last two trucks were Tundras, a 2006 and 2011. Both were completely trouble free right up to the day I traded them off, however, I just like driving the RAM better. I highly recommend anyone considering a RAM to budget the extended warranty into your purchase, FYI, the price is negotiable. Even if you buy low mileage used, have a RAM dealer inspect it and purchase THEIR warranty.
Hope this helps!
