Misaligned Exhaust - Melting Bumper

[kdwright5407]

Just picked up my truck Wednesday afternoon (16 miles on it) and got on the road on Thursday for a trip from WA to NC (with stops to visit family for a few days at a few locations). Well, 166 miles in, we stopped at a rest stop and I smelled melting plastic. Went behind the truck and saw that the driver's side tail pipe was misaligned and melting the bumper a bit. I was planning on stopping in Cheyenne, WY on Friday for a few days and seeing what Ram will do for me. But I started to feel a bit crappy throughout the day, and just tested + for COVID. Likely staying in Twin Falls, ID for a few day before traveling to visit my MIL.

Truck:
2022 1500 Laramie
5.7 ETorque
6'4" bed
Diamond Black Crystal
Night Edition
Equip Lvl 2
Trailer Tow Grp (B)
Off-Road pkg
Bed Utility Grp

 

[Wanted33]

Hope you feel better better soon brother. Getting sick while traveling sux, I know. That should be an easy fix, but it looks like your dealer will have to replace that melted piece. It's sad that the QA people at the plant didn't see that. As far as the crew that PDIed your truck at your dealer, it doesn't surprise me at all that they didn't say anything.

 

[KeithP]

I know your feeling like s*#t but I’d check for evidence of the exhaust striking something, i.e. scrapes & scratches on the underside. They may try to say you caused it by hitting something or something kicking up off the tire while driving. This may end up being an insurance claim rather than a warranty claim.

 

[kdwright5407]

Went out and looked underneath and don't see any evidence of the exhaust bumping anything to move it. No dents or bumps on either exhaust tip or muffler. Everytime i think about it, I try to pull it down a little to pull away from the bumper to keep it from melting more.

 

[06 Dodge]

That

Went out and looked underneath and don't see any evidence of the exhaust bumping anything to move it. No dents or bumps on either exhaust tip or muffler. Everytime i think about it, i rry to pull it down a little to pull away from the bumper to keep it from melting more.


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Your exhaust problem should have been caught during PDI of your truck at the dealership, I hate to think of what else they slacked off on not doing like checking to be sure all front end steering part are tight, lug nuts etc...

 

[KKBB]

Keep all the pics you have and it shouldn't be a problem getting it corrected. I looked at a 1500 sport years ago that I loved and I saw the exhaust the same damn way...I ended up with a different truck because of it. I kept thinking what else was wrong?!?! Still wish I would have bought it. My wife got a new 2021 durango almost a year ago, and similar situation. A clamp on the exhaust system wasn't even tightened down at all...it was almost dead center of under the vehicle, but toward passenger side a bit. We would hear a slight rattle sometimes...all good once the wrench went to it. Just amazing they can't figure the crap out.