My Daimler Chrysler Nightmare (I wish I could wake up!) - LONG

From: Ed and Kristi Townsend (townsend@ainet.com)
Date: Sat Jul 08 2000 - 08:11:10 EDT


Man!

    I think that my truck thinks that it is yellow instead of driftwood!
Last year I decided that I would get rid of my poor tired little '86 Toyota
4x4 turbo. It was at 140,000 miles and I thought that I should get rid of it
before it started draining my bank account. It was still on the original
turbo, and a new replacement (just parts) would have run $1497. Toyota
decided to manufacture their own turbo-chargers instead of using any of the
aftermarket units widely available (Rotomaster, Schwittzer, Rajay, KKK and
others that all other car makers use). That explains the high parts price.
Toyota seems to believe that all of their parts are made from precious
metals and exotic materials.

    Getting rid of it was my first mistake.

    Buying my '99 DAK SLT CC 5.2 was my second!

    First off this story is condensed, didn't feel that I needed to list
every rude response and lie that was given to me by the dealer.

    The first 11,000 miles we rather enjoyable. But from the day I bought
it, the rear end howled between 40 and 50 MPH. There was also a strange
ticking noise from the area of the driveline. I suspect a needle bearing in
the rear u-joint.

    At 11,500 miles I took the truck in to get the yearly detail job (which
sucked) and have these what I thought at the time 'minor' issues taken care
of. Well, as far as the rear end, the dealer replaced the ring and pinion.
That did not solve it. So they ordered a complete carrier and r/p setup. On
the same warranty visit, I was told that the ticking was addressed in a TSB
and that it wouldn't be a problem. The dealership attributed it to a problem
to the rear leaf springs. In any event, parts for both problems were
ordered.

    2 weeks later (after not getting any phone calls, due to a wrong phone #
that I HAD informed them about) I took the truck in for the repairs. When
I got it back the whine appeared to be gone, but the ticking noise seemed to
be worse. I looked up the TSB on the AllData system where my stepfather
works. Funny thing, the TSB addressed SQUEAKING leaf springs, not ticking.
And now that they did the TSB fix on my perfectly fine leaf springs, THEY
SQUEAK!!!

    I informed the dealer of the problems, and told them that I would try to
diagnose the problem myself (with the help of the repair shop my stepdad
works for).

    It was about 2 weeks before I took the truck back in with my diagnosis,
and within that time the rear-end started howling again! In addition, I had
a pop in the front end, leaky thermostat housing, faulty passenger power
window, AND THAT DAMN ANNOYING SQUEAK from the leaf springs.

    I have come to the conclusion that the techs at this dealership got
their certificates from a box of Froot Loops!

    Anyway, I took the truck back in (#3 time) and they had it from Sunday
the 2nd until this evening. Not a phone call during all that time to let me
know what was going on! I went to pick up the truck, and come to find out,
all they did during the period of a week (short 1 day due to the holiday)
was pull the door panel and lube the window track, and lube the front end
which had recently lubed during normal service. The dealer said it fixed the
problem (yeah right). Star, the DC tech service that they have to report to
for repair authorization, suggested that the drive line should be replaced.
This is after the dealer told me that it wasn't a u-joint problem. Now what
else can go wrong with a driveline other than cracks (which do not exist in
my truck according to the dealer) and u-joints? As far as the rear end, DC
says that there is nothing else that can be done until they come up for a
replacement gearset, or other fix. And no timeframe was given for this. So
now I am supposed to drive a noisy truck that might pop a rear end, and just
deal with it! And I know deep in my heart that the drive-line will not fix
the ticking noise! I suggested that they might try the 3.92 rear end, but
they wouldn't even think about it.

    Well, I found the arbitration papers in the back of my manual, and they
are filled out ready to drop in the mail soon. DC will not even consider
replacing the truck or refunding the money spent on it (Calif Lemon Law
states that either option is available, buyers discretion) without going
thru arbitration. I am fed up! This is my first new vehicle, first American
vehicle, and my first V8. I have to say that my faith in US auto makers has
been shaken.

    I know that I am gonna get flamed BIGTIME for this, but I think it is
time to go back to Toyota. My old truck was the epitome of reliability. No,
it didn't have the power of the Dodge, or the comfort, but I wasn't worried
about what might happen next with it, since nothing happened in the first
place!!! Fast is nice, but not at the price of reliablility!

    A word of advice when dealing with the service department. KEEP RECORDS!
Document all conversations, with whom you spoke , what was said, and
date/time. Keep all receipts, and play their little game. In a situation
like this, all you can do is cooperate until there is no more repair options
(or 4 consecutive repairs for the same problem within the first 18months,
18,000 miles according to California Lemon Law) From what I gather from the
DML, it is an ongoing problem with the 3.55 rear end, and DC knows about it.
They are doing their best to keep it under wraps. If you have any of these
problems, get them looked at now. And be prepared to be treated like dirt
and kept in the dark!

    I really was impressed with this truck when I got it! Power, handling
and good looks: what more could you ask for? I have to say the Toyota is
UGLY compared to the very stylish Dakota. And space is limited. But the
reputation of Toyota pickups can't be beat. I am gonna miss being on the DML
(great bunch of ppl here!). I just can't justify getting back into another
Dodge and risking the same problems.

    I thank the individuals that responded to my private e-mail request.
Your input has helped me make my decision.

    And thanks to everyone else for the hospitality (and flame wars!). It
has been a great experience. I have to say that this bunch (DML) is unique
and fun-loving! I am gonna continue to monitor the list and give updates on
my 'Howler' (makes you wonder if that was the origination of the 'Prowler'
nameplate) until I no longer own the truck.

    Thanks again, and I am already ducking the impending flames!!!

Ed Townsend
townsend@ainet.com
zr750@mac.com
Modesto, CA



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