I am a little disapointed in my first ctd 2001 that i have owned for nearly a year (time flies).

This truck does not give me big trouble but a lot of minor issues like the overheated wheels, the heated seat that don't work, the craked front wheel for no reason, the drop to less than 18 mpg in the winter, the sagging front bumper cover, the doors that don't close properly and many more problems that i will discover from the lack of quality from dodge.

The last 10 years or so i drove toyota cars and truck and never had this many problems.

I bought this truck to haul a 5 er but i think i will sell it and buy a used toyota motorhome they are great i had one before this truck and it didn't give me any trouble it was just getting old (20)

Would i be happier without a DODGE in my life?

 

Well if it's a 2001 and you've owned only a year and a half, either it was really left over, or you purchased it used.
I would have a hard time condemning any manufacturer for poor quality using only a used item for comparison.

My 99 was purchased new, now has 75,000 miles on it, and hasn't seen the inside of the dealer since it's 1 oil change. (all maintenance {except some trans work to support more power} performed by me)
It hasn't given me a nearly as much trouble as the other manufacturer's products that I've driven over the years.
As for the milage issue. 18 mpg for a 7,000 pound vehicle that can safely move 3 times its weight ain't bad.
To some, it's more vehicle than they need. (I'm one of 'em)
I'm not planning on giving it up for something smaller anytime soon.
(I'd rather be a Hammer than a Nail)
And I won't get rid of my Big, Noisy, Stinky, Smokey, Diesel truck except maybe to buy a newer Big, Noisy, Stinky, Smokey, Diesel truck.

You gotta do, what You gotta do.

 

I understand where you're coming from.

After having Toyota's with their usuall high quality, these trucks,,,, at times,,, can be a dissapointment when it comes to quality control and their own unique short comings, ( fuel systems, steering, weak auto tranny's, ect. )

However, as was already stated, these trucks are mainly built for HEAVY DUTY use. Dodge should have paid more attention to building a body more equal to the tasks that would be performed with the cummins diesel. 18 mpg isn't bad! Not great but not poor either!

So far, I really can't complain about my ride. She's needed some sensor's replaced and all the normal maintenance that every vehicle needs as time passes. Yes,,, this IS more truck than I will ever really need, but I do love that Cummins engine. That's the MAIN reason I have this truck. If the Cummins was offered in a Chevy or a Ford instead of the Dodge, I'd own what every make this engine was offered in.

Supposedly, the third gen truck designs have addressed many of the poor quality issues found on the second gen trucks. You'd really have to ask some of the 3rd gen owners...

If I could do it all over again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'd definitely look for a prestine 12V truck, 1st or 2nd gen.

 

Yes 18 mpg sounds not bad but i am in canada and the gallons are bigger(imperial) and disel cost is $ 4.26 per gallon.

I am not made of money.

 

Sounds like you just want a toyota.
Your problems don't sound all that bad.
Sounds like you bought a truck that had been rode hard and put up wet.
Not really Dodge's fault.

 

You may want to invest in a different daily driver. Keep the truck to do what you need to do with a truck. If you can do what you need to with a mini truck, then there's your answer. As far as a full size goes, you're not going to see much better mileage than out of that diesel.
I'm thinking of buying a diesel Jetta now, even though I LOVE driving my truck.

Chris

 

Look at the bright side you have new parts now that much less to worry about. go to tundrasolutions.com and look at the gripes there....brakes....trannies.....O2sensors....crack ed exhaust manifolds.... it is not a dodge thing or a toyota thing it is just the odds-build a zillion rigs there is gonna be a few probs. I know where you are coming from, the wifes new Trailblazer went back as a lemon after 1 engine , 2 trannies, 1 rear diff, the heater quit in december @ Livingston,MT and then a wiper flew off in less then 10,000 miles I THOUGHT IT WAS A FIAT!!!!!!!!!!! now she has a tundra and after reading about them she is gonna get a schwinn! seriously you got a bum shake but how often do wheels just break? you didn't say the lords name in vain did you?

 

BUY A FORD!

 

You've been reading DTR too much. Half of the problems you stated haven't happened to you yet, you are just reading about other Dodge owners compaints.

I agree with Shovel (that kills me ) in that you bought a used truck. It was sold for a reason.

Camparing a Toyota to a CDT is not a good comparision. Having said that get the Toyota and be happy in life.

 

"overheated wheels"?!? I don't know what that is but it sounds like it may be linked to operator error. I love Toyotas......e$pecially the headgaskets on the v-6. All vehicles suck when they break.

 

Glutton for punishment--are we??!! (Referring more to your comment in your sig)

Look at the diesel stop for a while and see if you want a 6.0.

 

96_12v its easy for you you have a good truck.

The 12v in the mid nineties were excellent and will last a long time with minimum problems.

The 24 v is not as good and the more they try to sqeeze these 5.9 diesel for performance the more some problems will occur like fuel pump issues and transmission.

I woold be content with a plain truck that gives me years of loyal service without draining my wallet every week.

And no Ford is not the answer

 

My 24 valve '99 has toasted one lift pump (replaced for $89) and one trans (upgraded for ~$2,000) in 5 1/2 years and 75,000 miles.

I'll stick with my CTD.

YMMV

 

Are you sure it's not more than you need?


rg40,
Worse mileage in the winter is common, as the fuel blend is changed to "winter blend".

~Rob

 

You know how much that trailer cost me?.......

Zip, Zilch, Nada....
Only problem was it was soooo small, I had to go outside to change my mind.