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plex
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2001
18:19:02

Subject: And this is NEW?!!
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I currently own a brand spanking new 2001 V8 4.7l Dakota CC Sport+ which was purchased the first week of this month with 52miles on it. Now I have about 764miles and the damn truck is acting like its used. I have to take it in next week for warrenty work up the butt! Here is whats currently wrong.

1. Steering alignment is shot, leans towards the right
2. Back bumper needs re-aligning, bumper is closer to the bed on the right side (I believe when the truck was on the dealer's lot, another Dakota might have hit the bumper as they park their trucks bumper to bumper not bumper to front)
3. Bed itself is 1/2inch or more towards the right. Both sides do not align up to the cab
4. The 4x4 decal on the tail gate needs re-aligning, its not even close to being level with the Dodge decal
5. Passenger window insulation strip that runs outside needs to be replaced, parts of it doesnt even touch the truck
6. Second key-less remote is dead, died day after purchase of truck
7. Cup-Holders are screwed up. I have the bench seats (40/60/?) with the cup-holders on the floor. Well turns out, the passenger push-in cup holder doesnt go as far as the drivers. Basically, when both are pushed in, one cup holder is bigger than the other. (Salesman from the dealer and another dealer has told me that they are suppose to be same size)
8. Plastic knob of the cig. lighter broke off. I pushed it in to heat up, when it popped out, I grabbed it to pull it out and the plastic knob broke off. What kind of crap is that?
9. Hood needs to be re-buffed. Seems a bird crapped on the truck. (this was resolved day of purchase, getting a free buffing week after next week... seems birds crapping is an often occurance at this dealership)
10. Tail gate it self is more flemsy on the driver side than on the passenger side. I know, tail gates arent suppose to be perfect but since I already have all these problems, might as well stick in another :P
11. Where the hell is my V8 decal? Where?! This truck is fully loaded but doesnt have a V8 decal?

Well those are the problems as of now. Im also going to request a complete engine inspection since I dont want an engine problem popping up when Im driving on the highway. Any input on the problems I listed would be nice like "Oh well thats normal..." etc.

Thanks



kennungesser
Gen III
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11/23/2001
20:14:46

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Kinda sounds like you got a lemon! Either that or you bought you truck in the dark,most of what you complained about , you could have seen when you picked it up. Next time,look closer before you sign the papers.
They stopped badging in 2001.

Kenneth l Nungesser

jASON
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2001
21:42:17

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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2001 models do not come with a V8 emblem. It saves them a few cents per emblem. Other than that, You got a bum deal. I have heard of quite a few of these happening. It is a long process to enforce the lemon law, and you have to let them try to fix it. Sux, but that is how it is. I am going to keep my '97 dak forever because it is problem free and I do not want to deal with those pricks. It is kind of a blessing in a way when your truck runs out of warranty! NO MORE DC REPAIR GOONS! Those guys have no technical expertise and got the job because they failed at car sales. They must all read "How to Tell a Lie" books because they are all full of the same $hIt!



cb
Dodge Dakota
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11/23/2001
23:09:19

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Sorry to step on some toes, but it soulds like a LOT of pick s#!t to me! Just drive the truck.



plex
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2001
04:50:36

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Yeah, well it was sunny when we got there LOL turned dark pretty fast plus doesnt really help if you truck is black :P

Btw, the dealership said if I wanted my 4x4 decal fixed, they would have to order a new tailgate. The guy said "you sure you really want to go thru all the hassle?" I said "you see all the trucks here? You see the 4x4 decals on them? ARE THEY SLANTED? I think I've made my point"

I love the truck, oh god I love the truck but has couple of annoying problems that need to be fixed and if they come up again... well im going to look for that little booklet they gave me about my state's lemon laws =D



NiPs
Dodge Dakota


11/24/2001
10:01:14

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Keep in mind if you get a new tailgate to see how well it matches the paint on your truck...



joe
Dodge Dakota


11/24/2001
10:08:11

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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I don't know what state you are from but in MI they don't consider fit and finish to be lemon law material. That is why I never buy off the lot.



snowman
Dodge Dakota
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11/24/2001
10:14:09

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Guy! Go to carfax.com and run your'e vin. Sounds like your'e truck was wrecked and rebuilt. Very ilegal in any state! Get the history on the truck and go talk to the dealer. If anything on the report is bad, you have them by the balls.



Stuart
Dodge Dakota


11/25/2001
00:02:44

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Not to bash carfax or anything but I would not fully believe any report they give me. The only entries it had for my truck was it was built and sold to me. It FAILED to mention my new front end (thanks to a ford) and my new carpet due to a 100 year flood.

I did not expect to find the flood damage on the report because we pulled the report a month after it happened, but the wreck happened a year before we pulled the report.



DeaPee
Dodge Dakota
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11/25/2001
01:06:11

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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I work at a car dealership. People go and spend $25,000 (or more) on a new truck, get it home and notice all of these obvious things all the time. Why don't people just look stuff over before they buy?

No offense or anything, but you're nit-picking. It seems to me as though you have a hard time spending money. Do you often buy things then take them back? I can't remember what the disorder is called, but you might want to see a psychologist about it.

Among other things... a bird pooped on your truck and you need it buffed out? Come on man, that's ridiculous. I wish I could see the look on that detailer's face when they tell him that one. I own a 01 Black Dakota and birds poop on it all the time -- use a towl and some water.



kota on 20s
GenIII
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11/25/2001
02:49:05

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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yea why didnt you look over the truck when you bought it? cant the dealer just trade your tailgate with another that is on the lot?

dodge stopped the v8 emblems, but you can buy them and stick them on if you really want them. i personally want mine off.

Eric



Blckadak
Dodge Dakota


11/25/2001
03:41:00

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Take the stickers off, looks better without them on a black truck anyways, they peel right off and if you wanted them back on the parts guy can get them. Go to the autostore, get some good car shampoo, clay bar, polish and wax and get it to shine better then when you picked it up! I prefer Meguiars. As far as the other stuff, see what the dealer will do.



Webtiger
GenIII
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11/25/2001
18:25:36

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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The bed alignment is fixable and they "should" do it under Warranty as "Customer Satisfaction".
I had mine done 6 weeks ago and it took them about a 1/2 day at the dealership. Make sure they know the cab can also be aligned! 6 bolts for the cab and 8 bolts for the bed.
The rest of the stuff is not nit picky, for whoever said that...he give a s**t about his truck!
To the "I work at a dealership" DeePee. Not everyone is eagle-eyed when they buy a vehicle being caught up in the "glory" of a new vehicle purchase sometimes blinds buyers. Much of what plex wants fixed is build quality...what dealership do you work at again so I can avoid your arrogance?


Ken Grierson

DeaPee
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2001
00:07:17

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Webtiger...Please explain to me how you can say that wanting your entire hood buffed out because a bird pooped on it is not "nit-picky"?

""9. Hood needs to be re-buffed. Seems a bird crapped on the truck""

And, if you're going to complain, do your research first.

""11. Where the hell is my V8 decal? Where?! This truck is fully loaded but doesnt have a V8 decal?""

...Those decals aren't on ANY 2001 or 2002 model.

""what dealership do you work at again so I can avoid your arrogance?""

That's Kenny Ross Ford in Pittsburgh, PA.

It's unfortunate..."being caught up in the 'glory' of a new vehicle purchase sometimes blinds buyers"...but if you sign the papers and take delivery of the vehicle, then I'd say you're just plain out of luck -- bottom line: do your research before buying; this world would be a better place...
...Ever heard of a person buying a used car for $4,000, taking it home and it then falling apart? Good for them -- they should have gotten it looked at.

- Dave
- 01 RC SLT 4x4 3.9 BLACK



kota on 20s
GenIII
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11/26/2001
00:21:59

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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no one should have to worry about things not being right on a NEW car, but this is not a perfect world and people build these cars. some times these "car builders" get tired, lazy, or just dont care and dont do the job right some times. its YOUR JOB to look over the car/truck before signing on the line!

and for the crapping on the hood, give me a break! get off your a$$ and go buff the hood. if you waited too long and your paint is jacked its your own fault.

Eric



ScrewUSdealer
Dodge Dakota


11/26/2001
00:28:33

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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What you are requesting is mostly not out of line. After all, it is YOUR money! The customer, not the dealer is always right.

The arrogance we see by some posters here is precisely why the Japanese and European car manufacturers have taken over the market. Wish I could buy a Lexus or Mercedes pickup truck. Then I would own NO American vehicles.



joe
Dodge Dakota


11/26/2001
06:44:35

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Hey screwUSdealer, I am sure your fellow Americans would apperciate you putting them out of work by buying your foreign cars.



mwillis61
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2001
07:27:41

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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As far as the tailgate decals, they don't have to order a whole new tailgate or repaint yours. The decals come right off and a new one can be ordered and put on. I had all the decals removed from my truck (black) and I think it looks a whole lot better, and didn't have to remove the tailgate or doors to do it. Perhaps they are replacing the tailgate due to the flex problem you mentioned, this I can see as being viable. I don't think you are out of line on any of your requests. It often takes a few days to notice little things that are wrong that is why there is a warranty period for these small items. As far as buffing the hood for bird crap I can see that also. Bird crap is acidic and can eat through the wax and clearcoat layers and cause a stain if not cleaned off in a matter of time. Seen it. So ignore all these bashers and get your truck fixed they way you see fit, after all it was your money that paid for it, not theirs.



DeaPee
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
00:54:57

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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""After all, it is YOUR money!""

Exactly right. It IS your money! If you go pay to have your hood buffed then more power to you.

""The arrogance we see by some posters here is precisely why the Japanese and European car manufacturers have taken over the market. Wish I could buy a Lexus or Mercedes pickup truck. Then I would own NO American vehicles.""

My "arrogance" that has been observed has nothing to do with any cars being sold in the US, American made, Eropean made, or Japanese for that matter. People who posess the ignorance you have displayed, however, definately play a big role in that case. Let me re-quote that last quote..."Wish I could by a Lexus or Mercedes pickup truck. Then I would own NO American vehicles." ... Ignorance at its best.




mwillis61
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
02:41:42

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Hey DeePee, If you read his first post correctly the dealer is buffing the hood for free, this was negotiated at time of vehicle delivery. Oh, by the way, Mercedes does make a truck, so see ya.



kota on 20s
GenIII
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11/27/2001
11:51:19

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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mercedes does not make a truck. if you are refering to the ML320,430 or the AMG ML55, thoes are not trucks, they are more like a rasied C-class. I would LOVE to see some one haul 500lbs of cow sh1t home in one of thoes! hahaha, yea right!
im glad to see he wasted his day letting the dealer do something he could have done in his driveway. must be nice to have time to waste on things like that.

Eric



plex
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
12:43:02

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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The bird crap that I mentioned was settled before I signed away. What happen was as I looked at the truck after it was prepped, couldnt see the bird crap stain but about 20 minutes later of negociating and went back out to look at the truck again, notice this big a$$ stain on my hood. Also, the dealer told me that they would have to replace the tailgate if I wanted my decals aligned correctly but hell, I think im just going to get them removed. As I write this, both my top cab break light popped off (Left side screw came out and the bulbs went dead soon after. I dont rally nor offroad in this truck) and one of my flood lights went dead. Along with that my left cab speaker went dead few days ago and I dont bump nor blast my stereo. Now I know what some are you saying why I didnt look at the truck more carefully before I purchased. Well, by the time I even got to see the truck (dealer has more than 200 Dakotas, used computers to track down what I wanted and find where it is at), it was night-time and couldnt see every single flaw. Also, lot of these issues were brought to me by other Dakota owners in my area who saw my truck, commented on it, then saw something that wasnt right. The misaligned decal didnt even come to mind until one day when I went to Napa and another Dak owner told me that my tailgate wasnt right for being brand new. I just thought it was normal since stickers cant be put on perfectly.



plex
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
12:52:06

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Oh and to reply on DeePee's comment of myself having being a tight-a$$, etc. BAH I say. I actually have a problem of spending too much money too fast. Im like many other males in this world. Gotta have the latest, greatest, fastest, and meaniest stuff around =D



Monkey
Dodge Dakota


11/27/2001
15:23:26

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Just wait til your shift lever end cracks and comes off the stick every time you drop it into gear. I've had Lego sets with stronger plastic than these trucks. I think the brake light falling apart is rediculous.
I think Dodge made a great truck that when it got popular they tried to really crank them out as fast as possible for the least amount of money. At least it sounds like your issues can be fixed in a day or so. As most of those things may be considered a "wear item" I think they are going good for you to fix them.



mwillis61
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
23:39:17

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Kota, Research Mercedes a little deaper.



pete
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
09:26:00

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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IMHO, if there were just one or two of those things wrong, they could be overlooked (or at least wait until it's next scheduled trip to the garage.) However, since you have listed about 15 things that aren't right, Dodge should know about that, for the good of the rest of trucks they are going to build. Sh1t rolls downhill, so ideally if you raise enough stink, at some point the people who put these together should hear about it.

I agree with (part of) the import vehicle comment -- most peoples' reason for buying imports is fit and finish. American vehicle-makers have a terrible reputation for putting vehicles together. That's not to say that I'd ever buy anything but American, but letting vehicles like plex's slide won't do anything to help the situation.



Knobbyman
GenIII
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11/28/2001
11:13:35

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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First.. I think there is a little nit picking going on but if it was my truck I'd do the same thing. I do think that you should bring it up w/ dodge and another thing they do NOT need to repaint your tailgate or replace it to fix the stickers.. just peel um off.. buff it out and then put some new ones on. I just did it.

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com

DeaPee
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
12:19:03

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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""American vehicle-makers have a terrible reputation for putting vehicles together""

Well, who do you mean when you say 'American vehicle-makers'? Another thing is, how can people say that import vehicles are taking over? Take a look next time you drive down the road at what type of vehicles you see.

American:
Ford, Dodge, Chevy, GMC, Jeep, Chrysler, Lincoln, Cadillac, Saturn

Import:
Mercedes, BMW, Lexus

Cars that were once Imports but are now American-Built:
Honda, Toyota, Mazda

I don't know, that's just from what I can recall. Wherever YOU classify the third category, I still see more from the first category than the second two combined.



pete
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
12:32:05

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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I realize that many once-imported vehicles are now being produced here in North America, but the point is that non-American-owned companies have a better reputation for the finishing details of their vehicles. I don't agree that they are taking over, or that they are better vehicles... it's just a reputation, and for many people who don't care to put any effort into research, that reputation heavily influences their decisions.

On a side but related note, I hope Mercedes has a positive influence in Dodge's build quality, and eventually elimate situations like plex's.



Ty
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
12:35:55

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Well bought new 2001 dodge dakota club cab 4.7 auto 355 took it home noticed not even one week later the whole rear end was sticking out the pasengers side 4 to 5 inches past the bed of the truck. had my old lady take it in to get looked at and dodge informed me it was just a cosmetic thing that all dodge trucks even the durangos were having this problem ie that it was build like this for tork purposes.found out not even a couple days later my new tires were getting chaft up and very uneven meaning there was a problem dodge was not wanting to deal with.brought it back for a second time this time raising hell and they seemed to listen seeing it had eaten my tires up.took them about a week to find out my rear end was not only over 4 to 5 inches but was also misaligned. they ordered a whole new rear end because they said the spring pads where welded on wrong.they called a couple days later saying it was ready went to pick it up and after replacing the whole rear end it had the same problem it had when i first took it in. took the dumb asses all of this work to find out the frame was drilled completly wrong.holes for the spring hangers on the driver side was drilled ahead and the passenger side was drilled behind mialigning rear. told by dodge there was no fix to this thanks to lemon law received new truck.{second truck still looked as if it could have the same problem.but come to find out it was the bed that was off and there is nothing dodge will do beeing it was a cosmetic thing. i had to realign the bed myself. so if you're looking at new trucks or even cars buyer beware just because they say it's new don't mean you won't have a whole lot of problems.} p.s love my new truck now the bed is slid over right no more problems as of yet will keep you posted.



plex
Dodge Dakota


11/28/2001
13:18:55

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Dealer contacted me just now and told me they are keeping my truck even longer to investigate why my bed is misaligned. They believe before it even got to them *dealer* it might have been rear ended. They are not sure if the bumper is misaligned to the bed or the bumper is infact aligned properly just the bed was put on half assed. Also, they ordered my new speaker as they found out it went dead due to another half assed insulation job. Dealer told me that I can either get a new tailgate which would fix the locking problem (this came up as I dropped the truck off, tailgate now doesnt want to lock properly) and decal problem or wait till sometime in Januaray as their auto body shop is heavily over booked.



Ty
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
14:08:13

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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Dodge told me there was no way to adjust bed . (that's bull sh-t ) there is bed adjustment if it's minor adjustment only . I had to take my bed off and grind holes out bigger an add big flat washers .Thats not the thing you should have to do to a 2001 .



Ty
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
14:14:03

RE: And this is NEW?!!
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PLex so times when they buff out stains it leaves scraches from buffing compound.



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