Hey guys check this guy out!!!

From: Michael DuBose (mdubose@vt.edu)
Date: Sun Oct 18 1998 - 19:05:32 EDT

Next message: The Man From Utopia: "Re: Double Spankage with surprises for all..."
Previous message: Robert Trottmann: "Re: Re: RE: GOT MY TRUCK!!!"
Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
Mail actions: [ respond to this message ] [ mail a new topic ]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------ECDF3595816EF46CB4D9CCC3
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hey look at this web page that I found that a guy made for his Dak. I
could kill him for the way he talks about Dodge and Dakotas. Yeh its
true that there are thise cars that have problems from day one but I
don't think that this guy had to make a page that discrased the Dodge
name.

--------------ECDF3595816EF46CB4D9CCC3
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Base: "http://www.watsonville.com/dakota/"
Content-Location: "http://www.watsonville.com/dakota/"

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//IETF//DTD HTML//EN">
<html>

<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type"
content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<meta name="description"
content="I purchased my brand new 98 Dodge Dakota in Dec, 1997. Here's the list of problem so far. I'm trying to get them to take it back as a lemon, but my problem is that a lemon has to have the same problem over and over, this one keeps giving us new and exciting problems to deal with. I hope the brakes don't break. I hope they brake though. I mean, gees I need to stop, wouldn't want to hurt anybody.">
<meta name="keywords"
content="Dodge Dakota, Dodge, Dakota, dodge, dakota, dodge dakota, lemon, lemon, LEMON, sucks, sucks, sucks, SUCKS, SUCKS,problems, problem, trouble, trouble, Chrysler, junk">
<meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 2.0">
<title>Dodge Dakota Lemon</title>
</head>

<table border="0" width="600">
 <tr>
 <td align="center" bgcolor="#FF00FF">MY DODGE DAKOTA

 IS A
 LEMON!</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td><img src="dakotasurprise.jpg" width="588"
 height="323"></td>
 </tr>
</table>
</center></div><div align="center"><center>

<table border="0" width="600">
 <tr>
 <td>WANTED - LEMON COOKIE RECIPE
 If
 you have a real good one let me know, also give me
 permission
 or not to post it and give you credit for it. If it's
 good that is.
 <a href="mailto:lemon@watsonville.com">EMAIL lemon@watsonville.com</a>

My List of Surprises 

Dec. 22, 1997 - 1998 Dodge Dakota
 Club Cab SLT 4X2 purchased - Paid $22,834 including tax
 & lic.Merry Christmas to Me! Little did I know what
 was in store.The gift that keeps on giving.

Noticed a few things
 before Jan 30, but didn't start getting worried enough to
 take notes until then. Main problem at this point was gas
 mileage. Supposed to get 16city/21hwy. I'm averaging 14.3
 if I take it easy. My truck has the onboard computer, I
 have checked it at the pump and has been within 2 or 3
 tenths accurate. My old GMC Sonoma with a 4.3L motor got
 15-16mpg if I drove the wheels off it, and 19-20 if I
 took it easy. I have gotten 17.3 on several trips to
 Sacramento. 200 miles, mostly flat on I-5. Also my
 speedometer would sometimes fall to 0 then jump back up.
 This truck is also the most gutless vehicle I have ever
 owned. Tune in later for 0-60 times, I'm guessing 11-12
 second range. Go Magnum Go!

Jan.29, 1998 Surprise #1 - All
 Gauges malfunctioning. Could not duplicate problem for
 dealer. Over the next few days it gets worse. No big
 deal, this could happen to anybody. 

Feb. 4, 1998 - The gauges are
 totally dead now. Took the Dakota to the dealer and
 verified problem. Parts ordered from Dodge. 1429 Miles

Feb 14, 1998 - Notice noise at
 45mph, droning sound, suspect tire noise, stay tuned.

Feb 26,27, 1998 - Parts finally
 arrive. New Instrument Cluster installed. Everything
 works fine now. Surprise #1 resolved, though occasionally
 the headlight knob comes off in my hand. The steering
 wheel has been off center since day one, told the tech,
 he says the alignment is "within" spec, but I
 make them redo it with the steering wheel straight. I'm
 funny about things being straight. Also had the oil
 changed. 1436
 Miles

March 24, 1998 - Surprise #2 -
 Noticed squeaking from engine cooling fan. - What's the
 deal with this truck, it's brand new. 

March 30, 1998 - Surprise #3 -
 Check Engine Light comes on. OHHH MAAAN, NOW WHAT? 2333 Miles

March 31, 1998 - Took the truck
 back to Dodge Dealer. They ordered a Fan Clutch and Fuel
 Leak Detection Pump to fix Surprise #2 & 3 on my
 Dakota.

April 4, 1998 - Leak Detection Pump
 Replaced, Fan that was ordered was packaged wrong. Dodge
 reordered the part. 2465
 Miles

April 15, 1998 - Front tires are
 wearing off the outside edges. About 3000 miles on it.

May 10, 1998 - Surprise #4 -
 Transmission will not shift out of 1st gear under hard
 acceleration, also will shift down into 1st gear at 35-40
 mph, such as when on a freeway onramp. Thankfully there
 is a 5500 RPM rev limiter. I'M GETTING AGGRAVATED.
 

May 16, 1998 - Dodge Dealer
 Inspects Shifting problem. Diagnoses bad Governor Press
 Sensor. Also ask about tire wear and I'm told they aren't
 having very good luck with "those" tires.
 Crappy Goodyear Eagles? 4150 Miles

June 20, 1998 - Dodge replaced
 Governor Press Sensor and Fan Clutch. Surprise #2 & 4
 Resolved. Though now the fan seems to kick in all the
 time, even after the motor is warmed up. This is the big
 whooshing sound you normally hear when you start from a
 stop when the engine is cold, now mine does it anytime. 5533 Miles

June 24, 1998 - Still have noise at
 45mph, I guess it isn't tire noise. Sounds like it's
 coming from under the truck. 

June 28, 1998 - Haul a golf cart to
 Sacramento, got 13 mpg on this trip, had to stop half way
 at 4am to get gas. Thank God for 24 hour gas stations.

July 5, 1998 - Headlight switch
 comes off in my hand again. Try getting this back on in
 the dark. THIS CRAP IS DRIVING ME NUTS. 

August 5, 1998 - Oil Change, asked
 about the tires again which are now pretty bad. Service
 recommend rotating them. I did this one myself. I have
 still been hearing severe tire squeal when making sharp
 turns, mostly in parking lots. It will also leave black
 marks in driveways. 7512
 Miles

Sept 17, 1998 - Noticing some
 rounding of the tread on the front tires that were just
 moved from the back. Took the truck into Dodge and showed
 the service manager, he agreed that it doesn't seem
 normal. Scheduled appt to get it checked. Also, check the
 45mph noise and fuel mileage. 

Sept 22, 1998 - Surprise #5 & 6
 - The alignment is off, causing the tires to wear. Dodge
 Service realigned the front end and ordered two new
 tires. Also found the 45mph noise to be the rear end
 gears, gear set ordered from Dodge. Tires still squeal in
 the parking lot, but not as bad. - NOW I'M PISSED AND
 REALLY SICK OF THIS DAMN TRUCK. 8575 Miles

Sept 22, 1998 - I ask the sales
 department to figure out what it would cost to trade this
 piece of crap in for one that works. I want everything
 the same, maybe with a V8. I'm told they will give me
 $16,000 for the old truck and the new truck will cost
 $21,475 plus tax and license. WHAT???!!!! Let's see
 that's about $7700 I have to come up with. That's $770 a
 month I have lost on this truck, plus my $330+ payment,
 this truck has cost me $1100 per month just to say I have
 one, nevermind the gas, insurance,.etc. NOW I'M REALLY
 PISSED. I spend the rest of the day whining to everyone I
 know. Then decide to do this page, just to vent some
 more. 

Sept 23, 1998 - Talked to Chrysler
 customer service. Because my problems do not fall into
 the specific guidelines of the California Lemon Law,
 basically returned 4 times for the same problem,
 there is nothing they will do beside just keep fixing it
 under they're warranty policy. Otherwise I have to
 initiate arbitration or a lawsuit. So in order to get
 resolution, I have to hire an attorney. Sounds like a
 "Make it difficult and they'll go away" policy
 to me. Maybe I should have the truck repainted, lemon
 yellow. I'M STILL PISSED, I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE MY
 MISERY MORE FUN FOR EVERYONE ELSE. GOOD THING I HAVE A
 SENSE OF HUMOR. 

Sept 23, 1998 - Did Internet
 research and called every consumer affairs dept. I could
 get the number for. FTC, DOT, NHTSA, etc... Forms galore
 in the mail on their way. Also found a couple of TSB's
 that apply to my vehicle, a loud popping noise when
 turning into a steep grade. Called the service dept and
 told him to add it to my list for the next time. It has
 something to do with the mounting bolts on the bed of the
 truck.

Sept 24, 1998 - Drive some highway
 miles, the gas mileage is a bit better on the highway
 since the alignment. I can get 21-23 if I'm careful on
 FLAT highway. The around town mileage still stinks. I let
 my wife drive it for 2 days and she got 11.5mpg.

Sept 24, 1998 - Noticed that the
 front bumper is off center. It is flush with the fender
 on the right side and sticks out 5/8 of an inch on the
 left side. Yeah, I'm getting nit picky, but what am I
 supposed to do.

Sept 28, 1998 - Throttle Stuck -
 Pulling into my driveway I noticed the truck wasn't
 wanting to stop very good, when I shifted into park the
 engine revved up to about 2800 rpm and stayed there until
 I tapped the gas pedal. I was unable to duplicate this
 problem and it has not happened before that I know of. I
 CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THIS ONE TO GET WORSE.

Sept 30, 1998 - Took my Dakota to
 the Dodge dealer to get 2 new tires and rear end gears
 from Surprise #5&6. Also asked them inspect the front
 bumper alignment and check that popping noise coming from
 the rear (TSB 23-065-97a). Told them about the throttle
 sticking, but I can't duplicate it, so I don't expect
 them to fix it. 8828
 Miles

Sept 30, 1998 - Had a nice little
 chat with the owner of the dealership.I gave him my list
 of problems and complaints. He said he would talk to
 Chrysler and see if there was anything he could do, so we
 wouldn't have to go through arbitration. He sounded
 sincere, I hope it wasn't just talk. The truck will be
 there for two days so we'll have to see what happens.

Sept 30, 1998 - My baby-sitter
 hurts her back, I have my wife's car because, of course,
 mine is in the shop. So, my wife can't do anything about
 it. I have to cancel a job and go get my son. I'm not
 expecting by any reach of the imagination that Chrysler
 or the dealer do anything about this. It is merely an
 example of the aggravation and frustration caused by my
 constant problems. I buy new cars so I don't have to deal
 with this, or at least I thought so.

Oct. 1, 1998 - Got my truck back
 this afternoon. Here's how it breaks down, pardon the
 pun. Two new tires, surprise #5 fixed. The rear end gears
 were replaced but the noise remains. They ordered a new
 complete rear differential. I'll keep you posted on this
 one. Surprise #6 still in progress. The front bumper was
 straightened without any trouble. The popping noise was
 confirmed and new bolts were ordered according to the TSB
 that I referenced before. The squawking noise I have been
 hearing when I shift into reverse was inspected and
 deemed normal for rear wheel drive Dodge vehicles.
 According to the work order it has to with
 "powertrain wrap up." I'M STILL PISSED AT THE
 TRUCK, BUT ME AND THE SERVICE GUYS ARE STARTING TO HAVE A
 GREAT TIME WITH THE JOKES, though they are being careful
 what they say. I'm looking for a good cookie recipe with
 Lemons in it for these guys, if you have one let me know.

Oct. 4, 1998 - Check Engine light
 comes on. Stopped the truck to listen and make sure
 nothing serious was about to happen. Turned the ignition
 off and then started the truck. The light went out, the
 mystery of the day!

Oct. 8, 1998 - Called Chrysler
 Customer Service to complain again, this time I actually
 got someone that was marginally helpful. She gave me a
 case number and was forwarding my complaint to the dealer
 (they already know, but hearing from the Corp. never
 hurts). Then I called the service dept. to inquire when
 the next batch of parts for my Dakota would be here, they
 were not sure yet.

Items to note:
 These
 are subjective observations, things that are hard to get
 Chrysler to do any about because they are "within
 the acceptable range", ACCEPTABLE TO WHO?

I couldn't break
 the tires loose on wet pavement to save my life.
 Fortunately, I haven't had to. I can even make a left
 hand turn on wet pavement with my foot on the floor. The
 gutless wonder. The truck doesn't sputter or anything, it
 just doesn't have any power.

My Dodge Grand
 Caravan with a 3.3L engine will blow the doors off my
 Dakota 3.9L. Even with three adults and two kids in the
 Caravan and my wife driving the Caravan.

Driving
 conservative I average 14.5 mpg, My wife drove it for 2
 days and was getting 11.5, she wasn't being careful
 enough I guess? I got 13 mpg with a golf cart in the
 back, about 800-900 pounds, going to Sacramento. It seems
 like if you ask this motor to work AT ALL, it sucks gas
 big time. And it still doesn't have any power.
 <hr>

The service dept has actually been
 as helpful as they can be. I'm actually surprised they
 have been so helpful. One day I totally blew up at the
 service writer and he maintained his cool and dealt with
 me anyway. Later I apologized, after all, it's not their
 fault my truck is a piece of junk. Their just doing their
 job, I take it in and they fix it. The fact that they all
 know my name and some of them recognize my voice on the
 phone is both good and bad. On one hand, what great
 service. On the other hand, the truck is still new, they
 shouldn't have to know my name already. 

I think it's time for Chrysler to
 step up to the plate and make it good. But then what do
 they care about one guy with a few problems. Oh, by the
 way, I also have a Dodge Caravan, nothing major wrong
 with it, yet..... I have $50,000 worth of Chrysler
 products in my driveway, what does it take to get some
 attention from Chrysler?

I'm really hoping there are not too
 many people out there with a Dakota Lemon, I really like
 the truck. I'm just having so many problems with mine,
 it's making me cRrAzY. If you have a Lemon, Dakota or
 not, let me know. I also would be interested in other
 sources for lemon information.
 <a href="mailto:lemon@watsonville.com">EMAIL lemon@watsonville.com</a>
 <img src="wholelemon.gif" width="125"
 height="104"> <img src="wholelemon.gif" width="125"
 height="104"><img src="wholelemon.gif" width="125"
 height="104"><img src="wholelemon.gif" width="125"
 height="104">
 <table border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="5"
 bordercolor="#0000FF" bordercolordark="#0000FF"
 bordercolorlight="#0000FF">
 <tr>
 <td align="center" colspan="2">LEM<img
 src="lemono.gif" width="33" height="42">N LINKS</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFF00"><a
 href="http://www.bmwlemon.com">Proof,
 it can get worse. Check out this poor guy's
 story.</a>
<a
 href="http://www.detnews.com/AUTOS/9610/18/automake/automake.html">Chryslers
 Lemon Car History</a>

<a
 href="http://www.pond.net/~delvis/lemonbbs.html">The
 Lemon-Aid Stand</a>

<a href="http://carprices.com/lemon_law.html">Overview
 of Lemon Laws for Every State</a> 

<a href="http://www.lemon.org">Lemon.org home page</a>

 
 </td>
 <td valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFF00"><a
 href="http://carprices.com/lemon.html">New Laws To help Lemon
 buyers</a>
 
<a
 href="http://webtravel.org/philg/litigation/automobile-disputes.html">How to sue the
 manufacturer</a> 

<a
 href="http://www.mother.com/~randy/law.html">Substantive Law on the
 Web</a>

<a
 href="http://www.carseverything.com/lemon.html">Do a Lemon Check</a> at CarsEverything.com
 (Have your VIN Number ready)

<a
 href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/">NHTSA</a> - National Highway Traffic
 Safety Administration. Lookup Recall Notices and
 TSB's for your car or truck. Also have a database
 of other complaints.

<a href="http://www.alldata.com/consumer/">ALLDATA</a> - Lookup TSB's and Recall Notices for
 all types of cars. I found a TSB here that was
 not listed at NHTSA that applies to my truck.
 </td>
 </tr>
 </table>
 <div align="center"><center><table border="10"
 cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" width="500">
 <tr>
 <th><a
 href="http://web.wt.net/~mclark/webring/ring.html"
 target="_top"><img src="dakring.gif" align="left"
 border="0" hspace="0" width="117" height="118"></a><a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&id=36&next"
 target="_top"><img src="dakring2.gif"
 align="right" border="0" hspace="0" width="117"
 height="118"></a> <a
 href="http://web.wt.net/~mclark/webring/ring.html"
 target="_top">Dodge Dakota Webring</a>

Email- <a
 href="mailto:lemon@watsonville.com">lemon@watsonville.com</a>

Click here to join the 

 <a
 href="http://web.wt.net/~mclark/webring/ring.html"
 target="_top">Dodge Dakota Webring</a>
 </th>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <th>[<a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&id=36&sprev"
 target="_top">Skip Prev</a>] [<a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&id=36&prev"
 target="_top">Prev</a>] [<a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&id=36&next"
 target="_top">Next</a>] [<a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&id=36&skip"
 target="_top">Skip Next</a>] [<a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?random&ring=dakotaring"
 target="_top">Random</a>] [<a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&id=36&next5"
 target="_top">Next 5</a>] [<a
 href="http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&list"
 target="_top">List Sites</a>] </th>
 </tr>
 </table>
 </center></div>
Total Hits for /dakota/index.html: 2745
 </td>
 </tr>
</table>
</center></div>

<IMG SRC="http://www.watsonville.com/count/counter.cgi?http://www.watsonville.com/dakota/index.html&http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=dakotaring&id=48&next5">

Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota
dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler Benz
Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Dodge
Dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota dodge dakota Mercedes Daimler
Benz Chrysler merger Plymouth Jeep Eagle Marty Franich dealer
Watsonville lemon crap Crap CRAP LEMON Lemon junk problem Problem
trouble Trouble Lemon Car lemon car lemon truck Lemon Truck lemon
law lemon law Lemon Law Lemon Law 
</body>
</html>

--------------ECDF3595816EF46CB4D9CCC3--

Next message: The Man From Utopia: "Re: Double Spankage with surprises for all..."
Previous message: Robert Trottmann: "Re: Re: RE: GOT MY TRUCK!!!"
Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
Mail actions: [ respond to this message ] [ mail a new topic ]

This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:10:40 EDT