Needing to vent

[TXHeat]

So i come outside this morning and go to get in my truck, and I notice that the clear LED light that is supposed to shine down under the mirror is out on the passenger side. I wouldn't be nearly as irritated if my truck wasn't just at the dealer a few weeks back for the auto headlights not working (it was there a whole day). It just seems like it's been one thing after another. Before those two issues it was at the dealer for another whole day while they replaced a seat adjuster that was causing the drivers seat to rock back and forth. And prior to that, the third brake light leaked and got water all under the backseat. Just feels like my 2014 has spent far more time at the dealer than it should.

All of these things are making me debate about going to another brand next time around. I understand that some of those things can and probably would be issues with a Ford or GM product, but it's hard not to wonder. I've only had this truck 18 months, and it was brand spanking new. I've been loyal to the ram brand, as this is my 4th ram. But that only goes so far once inconveniences come into play.

 

[Burla]

Are you drinking a lot of coffee these days? Don't sweat the small stuff partner.

 

[jasonw]

I know that small stuff, when one after another happens, can be frustrating. Power through it. Trust me when I say Ford and GM are no different for many of their trucks, but overall across all brands, its not common. Be happy that warranty is taking care of you and its not costing you anything other than time, because you bought it new. Cheer up!

 

[TXHeat]

Haha, no coffee these days.

I know it may sound petty, but to me the small stuff adds up and it becomes frustrating. Especially with the cost of a new vehicle these days. I called my dealer and was told basically that I shouldn't try changing the bulb myself and to just bring it in.

 

[TXHeat]

Thanks for your input jasonw. I'm not saying I'd jump ship tomorrow, just venting a little. Truth be told, the Ram is my favorite over Ford and GM trucks interior and exterior styling wise. So it'd be hard to go to something else.

 

[MADDOG]

Having had all of the "Big Three" brand trucks I can honestly say they all have their issues. They may not be the same issues but they have 'em.

I would say the worst one was my Phord F-150 as the issues were small and big and there were a LOT of them.

I've had a few with the Ram (mostly small recall things) but not enough to make me wonder about switching because I have this sneaking feeling I'd be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Besides, to me the current generation competition is fugly.

These are small issues and once fixed, you should be good. Oh, and just remember, light bulbs fail on all trucks.

 

[clh1220]

Wait till some of these guys have to get bent over for a damn light bulb. Maybe they will understand. Some of these engineers are damn idiots. These bulbs are going to go out when it's out of warranty. Change a complete mirror or overhead console for a lightbulb.

 

[Rzrman328]

The mirror bulbs aren't a simple swap either?!

 

[Hootbro]

Wait till some of these guys have to get bent over for a damn light bulb. Maybe they will understand. Some of these engineers are damn idiots. These bulbs are going to go out when it's out of warranty. Change a complete mirror or overhead console for a lightbulb.

There is a lot more going on here than just to blame an engineer. In theory, LED's are a 30K to 100K hour life span component and would follow most vehicles into the junkyard. If a buyer cheapened out and went with something less or their is a quality issue with a vendors assembly, not really the engineer's fault.

Also, engineers do not design the vehicle they want, they design the vehicle they are told to build and the requirements set by others many times that are not design engineers. Lastly, an engineer can spec a component out but if there is a nickle to be saved on something, an engineer can be overridden against ones wishes.

 

[clh1220]

There is a lot more going on here than just to blame an engineer. In theory, LED's are a 30K to 100K hour life span component and would follow most vehicles into the junkyard. If a buyer cheapened out and went with something less or their is a quality issue with a vendors assembly, not really the engineer's fault.

Also, engineers do not design the vehicle they want, they design the vehicle they are told to build and the requirements set by others many times that are not design engineers. Lastly, an engineer can spec a component out but if there is a nickle to be saved on something, an engineer can be overridden against ones wishes.

What are you a engineer? I know damn good and well there have been plenty of **** on vehicles, that have had poor engineering. The led thing is stupid. I would rather change a 2.00 bulb twice. Than have to buy a new overhead console once. SO you really going to go with that a engineer didn't have anything to do with figuring out the overhead console. The designer is stupid too, the engineer made it work . Bottom line if you're happy with changing a mirror or overhead console once in 100k miles that's awesome. But Why couldn't of it been made so that you could of just changed the led.You say they last a lifetime, I sure do see allot of post about this. So that tells me that they don't last a lifetime.

 

[Hootbro]

What are you a engineer? I know damn good and well there have been plenty of **** on vehicles, that have had poor engineering. The led thing is stupid. I would rather change a 2.00 bulb twice. Than have to buy a new overhead console once. SO you really going to go with that a engineer didn't have anything to do with figuring out the overhead console. The designer is stupid too, the engineer made it work . Bottom line if you're happy with changing a mirror or overhead console once in 100k miles that's awesome. But Why couldn't of it been made so that you could of just changed the led.You say they last a lifetime, I sure do see allot of post about this. So that tells me that they don't last a lifetime.

Obviously you cherry picked what I wrote to fit your bias. Engineering is but one part of the process and not the whole process to bring a product to market.

To pin this solely as an engineering problem is ignorance of the manufacturing process. Example, 1st generation Dodge Neon's had problems with exhaust system leaks at the donut seal, everybody says bad engineering, the real issue was the engineering called out seal was not used because a business degree bean counter in charge said to use a nickle cheaper exhaust donut seal that was not to spec. So unless you are privy to the design and review process of the overhead led's it is speculative to say it solely is an engineering problem.

 

[Sportram1500]

 

[clh1220]

Obviously you cherry picked what I wrote to fit your bias. Engineering is but one part of the process and not the whole process to bring a product to market.

To pin this solely as an engineering problem is ignorance of the manufacturing process. Example, 1st generation Dodge Neon's had problems with exhaust system leaks at the donut seal, everybody says bad engineering, the real issue was the engineering called out seal was not used because a business degree bean counter in charge said to use a nickle cheaper exhaust donut seal that was not to spec. So unless you are privy to the design and review process of the overhead led's it is speculative to say it solely is an engineering problem.

Who gives a ****. It's still a problem the way it turned out. You want to argue about if the engineer did it. That's fine the designer did and made it work. My damn point was, it's common sense that it's ridiculous to change a mirror or overhead console for a bulb.

 

[Tach_tech]

Wait till some of these guys have to get bent over for a damn light bulb. Maybe they will understand. Some of these engineers are damn idiots. These bulbs are going to go out when it's out of warranty. Change a complete mirror or overhead console for a lightbulb.

Both the turn signal and puddle light on the mirrors can be replaced separate from the mirror.

 

[Sir John]

I've had about 19 different warranty claims in 20,000 miles. The last one resulted in my transmission being removed so the dealer could fix a rear main seal and oil galley plugs. My RAM is such a lemon that even Chrysler felt bad for me...gave me the Care Plus extended warranty (5yrs/100K) for free.

BTW, I've had the overhead console replaced last month due to a bad (flickering) led. I also had my passenger side amber turn signals on my tow mirrors replaced twice and just had both of my puddle light assemblies replaced...one no longer worked and the other one had an led dimming out. I could provide a huge list but it just really ****** me off when I list all of it out and look at it.

 

[CF_Smith]

My 14 used to do that ALL the time. There was a persistent window issue that overtime they tried to fix it (until they finally did) the courtesy light would go out. I recall using the power fold mirrors would make it come back on sometimes, like it just needed to be woken up.

 

[TXHeat]

Well CF Smith, my truck and yours must be twins. I woke up this morning to take it to the dealership and get it looked at, and i thought hmm let me check it and see if maybe miraculously its working. Well I'll be damned if it didn't fix it itself. I guess theres just a short or something in there. I just hope its not a persistent issue as you mentioned CF.