2006 Sprinter 3500 Problems

WE PURCHASED A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 AS A 2006 WINNEBAGO VIEW CLASS C MOTORHOME WITH 5010 MILES ON NOVEMBER 2006. WE WERE TRAVELING APRIL 2007 WHILE CROSSING THE JACKSONVILLE BRIDGE ON A1A, FL.. THE MOTORHOME WOULD NOT ADVANCED. IT LOST THE POWER. WE MADE IT TO THE TOP OF THE BRIDGE AT 20MPH. WE DO NOT KNOW HOW WE MADE IT. WE HAD TO INTERRUPT THE TRIP AND GO TO A DODGE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE RESONATOR WAS THE PROBLEM A FEW DAYS AGO JAN. 2010 ON THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS SCENIC HWY 348, BLAIRSVILLE, GA; WHEN WE GOT TO THE HIGHEST PEAK THE MOTORHOME WOULD NOT GO AT ALL. WE HAD TO BACK UP SLOWLY AT LEAST HALF A MILE TO FIND A SPOT OR SHOULDER TO TURN AROUND AND GO DOWNHILL. CAN YOU IMAGINE DRIVING BACKWARDS ON A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD ON A STEEP MOUNTAIN WITHOUT ANY KIND OF PROTECTION. THIS VEHICLE IS A HAZARD TO US AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION . A RECALL IS NEEDED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

SUBJECT: TURBO RESONATOR FAILURE I TOOK DELIVERY OF A DODGE SPRINTER MODEL 3500 CHASSIS WHEN I PURCHASED A WINNEBAGO VIEW IN MARCH OF 2007. CURRENT MILEAGE: 15,422 I HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ON 8/17/09, I HAD THE RESONATOR, PART NUMBER 14070001, AND THE ASSOCIATED AIR HOSE, PART NUMBER 14089002, REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY FARRISH DODGE IN FAIRFAX, VA. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS IN 2007, THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY DOMINION DODGE IN ROANOKE, VA. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS IN 2008, THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY FREIGHTLINER OF HAGERSTOWN IN HAGERSTOWN, MD. IN EACH CASE, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND BEGAN TO HAVE NO POWER. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR IS DETECTED, THE ENGINE IS PUT INTO THE 'SAFE' MODE AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN AT LOW SPEED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT FARRISH DODGE, HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY DODGE. HE DID SAY THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON AND WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN AFTERMARKET ALL METAL RESONATOR AVAILABLE BUT COULD NOT BE SURE WHETHER THE INSTALLATION OF THIS WOULD VOID THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN DODGE INTENDS TO OFFER A SOLUTION TO THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. MY WARRANTY WILL CONTINUE TO COVER THIS REPAIR FOR TWO MORE YEARS, BUT AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT CONTINUE TO RE-OCCUR FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE ESSENTIALLY COMES TO A NEAR STOP WITHOUT WARNING. IN ONE CASE I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR END BY A LARGE TRUCK. I HAVE APPROACHED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO USEFUL HELP. *TR

WHILE DRIVING SAW SMOKE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ROOF AND PILLAR, THEN SAW FLAMES, EXTINGUISHED FLAMES, REPAIRER ADVISED THAT SHORT IN FUSE BLOCK STARTED THE FIRE, REPAIRS WERE $13000+ AND AFFECTED REAR LIGHTS AND SEAT BELTS. *TR

2006 DODGE RAM 3500- VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALERSHIP 3+ TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND LOSES POWER. DROPS TO LOWER GEAR AND CONTINUES TO LOSE SPEED. SOMETIMES AS LOW AS IDLE ONLY. ECM HAS BEEN REPLACED (2) TIMES AND ACCELERATOR MODULE (1) AND SHORT IN WIRING REPAIRED?- LAST REPAIR DONE ON 10/23/07 - DROVE 69 MILES AND SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP. AND STARTED LEMON REPLACEMENT PROCEEDINGS? THIS TRUCK WAS ALSO REPAIRED PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING IT WITH ONLY 45 MILES ON SPEEDOMETER. CHRYSLER HAS ASK ME TO TAKE TRUCK BACK TO DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIR?? *JB

TURBO RESONATOR CRACKED AND PUT SPRINTER INTO LIMP MODE. 30 MPH. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF CASES ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS ITEM AND I HAD PURCHASED AN ALUMINUM ALTERNATIVE RESONATOR IN CASE IT HAPPENED TO ME. WHEN IT DID FAIL I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE RESONATOR IN 30 MINUTES. THE LIMP MODE IS VERY SCARY ON A FREEWAY WHEN IT FAILS. YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. I AM SURE THIS IS SO NOT TO HURT THE TURBO, BUT IN ANY CASE THE PART IS A WELL KNOW DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

RE: 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2006, MY 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA STALLED ON RT. 78 E., BETWEEN EXISTS 17 AND 18 OF THAT ROAD (THE FLEMINGTON/ANNANDALE, NJ EXISTS). AT THAT TIME, WHEN I ACCELERATED THE GAS PEDDLE, THE VEHICLE MOVED SLOWER AND SLOWER, UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY ENGINE OR OTHER TYPE OF FAILURE. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHIFTED GEARS ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED THE GEAR BACK TO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING VERY SLOWLY. BEING ON RT. 78, I WAS SURROUNDED BY TRAFFIC GOING 70-80 MILES PER HOUR, WITH MERGING TRAFFIC TO MY RIGHT. THERE WERE SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS DRIVING AROUND ME WHO MISSED HITTING ME BY ONLY INCHES. WHEN I CONTACTED MY DEALER (BROWN-DAUB) TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS INCIDENT, I RECEIVED VERY RUDE TREATMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT AT NO TIME WAS I EVER ADVISED OF A CURRENT RECALL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I DESCRIBED TO BROWN-DAUB. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND I BELIEVE THAT FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF A MAJOR DEFECT IN A VEHICLE SHOULD RESULT IN PAYMENT OF BOTH ACTUAL AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES TO THE CONSUMER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THIS EXACT FAILURE IN 2005-2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICAS. THE PROBLEM PERTAINS TO THE "FUEL PUMP MODULE AND/OR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE," WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL. AT THIS TIME, I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THIS MATTER WITH BROWN-DAUB. I AM FILING THIS REPORT IN THE HOPES THAT IT MAY HELP OTHERS. WHEN READING THIS REPORT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO NOTE THAT, ALTHOUGH I WAS SPARED ON DECEMBER 8, 2006, THAT DAY, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERAL DEATHS, INJURIES, AND UNNECESSARY PAIN AND SUFFERING TO ALL THE FAMILIES OF THOSE AFFECTED. I BELIEVE THAT A MORE THOROUGH INSPECTION OF NEW/CERTIFIED VEHICLES SHOULD BE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT, PRIOR TO ANY SALE. PLEASE, LET'S THINK IN TERMS OF BEING PROACTIVE. *NM

MY DODGE DURANGO (2006) ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS HAS LUNGED FORWARD WITH THE ENGINE REVVING UP AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND PRESSED ON THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON 9/4/07 I WAS APPROACHING A FOUR LANE DIVIDED ROAD, WITH TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTION I STARTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE JUST HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND WOULDN'T STOP. *JB

A 2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED REQUIRED REPAIR THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE. ONE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPAIR IT AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS. THE SELLING DEALERSHIP WORKED ON IT FOR 2 WEEKS, ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE IT, BUT COULD NOT DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT AND SHAKING ALL OVER. TWO WEEKS LATER, RELEASED, SEEMINGLY OKAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY CRASHED WHILE EMPLOYEE HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKES. POLICE STATED DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *AK

SUBJECT: TURBO RESONATOR FAILURE I TOOK DELIVERY OF A DODGE SPRINTER MODEL 3500 CHASSIS WHEN I PURCHASED A WINNEBAGO VIEW IN MARCH OF 2007. CURRENT MILEAGE: 15,422 I HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ON 8/17/09, I HAD THE RESONATOR, PART NUMBER 14070001, AND THE ASSOCIATED AIR HOSE, PART NUMBER 14089002, REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY FARRISH DODGE IN FAIRFAX, VA. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS IN 2007, THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY DOMINION DODGE IN ROANOKE, VA. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS IN 2008, THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY FREIGHTLINER OF HAGERSTOWN IN HAGERSTOWN, MD. IN EACH CASE, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED AND BEGAN TO HAVE NO POWER. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR IS DETECTED, THE ENGINE IS PUT INTO THE 'SAFE' MODE AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN AT LOW SPEED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT FARRISH DODGE, HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY DODGE. HE DID SAY THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON AND WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN AFTERMARKET ALL METAL RESONATOR AVAILABLE BUT COULD NOT BE SURE WHETHER THE INSTALLATION OF THIS WOULD VOID THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN DODGE INTENDS TO OFFER A SOLUTION TO THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. MY WARRANTY WILL CONTINUE TO COVER THIS REPAIR FOR TWO MORE YEARS, BUT AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT CONTINUE TO RE-OCCUR FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE ESSENTIALLY COMES TO A NEAR STOP WITHOUT WARNING. IN ONE CASE I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR END BY A LARGE TRUCK. I HAVE APPROACHED DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO USEFUL HELP. *TR

WHILE DRIVING SAW SMOKE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ROOF AND PILLAR, THEN SAW FLAMES, EXTINGUISHED FLAMES, REPAIRER ADVISED THAT SHORT IN FUSE BLOCK STARTED THE FIRE, REPAIRS WERE $13000+ AND AFFECTED REAR LIGHTS AND SEAT BELTS. *TR

MY NEW MOTOR HOME , SPRINTER CHASSIS, SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. IT WAS TOWED TO DODGE DEALER IN THOUSAND OAKS CITY, RESULT WAS A FAILURE OF A TURBO RESONATOR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES, AND DODGE FAILED TO ADMIT IT TO ISSUE A RECALL.*AK

RE: 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2006, MY 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA STALLED ON RT. 78 E., BETWEEN EXISTS 17 AND 18 OF THAT ROAD (THE FLEMINGTON/ANNANDALE, NJ EXISTS). AT THAT TIME, WHEN I ACCELERATED THE GAS PEDDLE, THE VEHICLE MOVED SLOWER AND SLOWER, UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY ENGINE OR OTHER TYPE OF FAILURE. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHIFTED GEARS ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED THE GEAR BACK TO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING VERY SLOWLY. BEING ON RT. 78, I WAS SURROUNDED BY TRAFFIC GOING 70-80 MILES PER HOUR, WITH MERGING TRAFFIC TO MY RIGHT. THERE WERE SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS DRIVING AROUND ME WHO MISSED HITTING ME BY ONLY INCHES. WHEN I CONTACTED MY DEALER (BROWN-DAUB) TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS INCIDENT, I RECEIVED VERY RUDE TREATMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT AT NO TIME WAS I EVER ADVISED OF A CURRENT RECALL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I DESCRIBED TO BROWN-DAUB. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND I BELIEVE THAT FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF A MAJOR DEFECT IN A VEHICLE SHOULD RESULT IN PAYMENT OF BOTH ACTUAL AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES TO THE CONSUMER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THIS EXACT FAILURE IN 2005-2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICAS. THE PROBLEM PERTAINS TO THE "FUEL PUMP MODULE AND/OR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE," WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL. AT THIS TIME, I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THIS MATTER WITH BROWN-DAUB. I AM FILING THIS REPORT IN THE HOPES THAT IT MAY HELP OTHERS. WHEN READING THIS REPORT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO NOTE THAT, ALTHOUGH I WAS SPARED ON DECEMBER 8, 2006, THAT DAY, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERAL DEATHS, INJURIES, AND UNNECESSARY PAIN AND SUFFERING TO ALL THE FAMILIES OF THOSE AFFECTED. I BELIEVE THAT A MORE THOROUGH INSPECTION OF NEW/CERTIFIED VEHICLES SHOULD BE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT, PRIOR TO ANY SALE. PLEASE, LET'S THINK IN TERMS OF BEING PROACTIVE. *NM

BEFORE I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR ITS 6,000 CHECK UP OIL CHANGE. I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A LOT OF SHAKING IN THE WHEEL AND BRAKES. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE DURING THE 6K CHECK. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS MY TIRE PRESSURE. A WEEK AND A HALF LATER I TOOK IT BACK TO DARCARS. THEN THEY INFORMED ME ONE TIRE HAD TOO MUCH AIR IN IT. THEN I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN THEY STATES THE ROTORS WHERE WORN BECAUSE I LET THE CAR SIT TOO LONG(???????????????) THAT WAS ONLY AFTER I WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH THE SHOP MANAGER AND I TOLD HIM THRU CONVERSATION I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR THAT MUCH. SO, THEN THEY TURNED THE ROTORS WHICH I DEMANDED TO MEASUREMENT DOCUMENTED BEFORE AND AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE. THEN IT WAS THE SAME THING AFTERWARDS I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEN THEY CONTACTED DARCARS. THEN DARCARS MANAGER BOB TELLS ME THAT A TSB IS COMING OUT FOR BUSHINGS FOR THE BRAKES ON THE CHARGER AND THAT THE PARTS WILL BE IN AT THE END OF THE MONTH . MEANWHILE, THEY WILL CHANGE THE ROTORS (LET ME GUESS NOT THE PADS)AFTER THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD A THING FROM DARCARS OR DAIMLER BUT A CALL FROM DARCARS CUSTOMER SERVICE NOT THE MANAGEMENT. WELL YESTERDAY I WAS LEAVING WORK AND I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE WINDOW DOWN AND MUSIC DOWN. I HEAR SINGING NOISE FROM MY CAR. I AM TRULY DISTURBED. I NOTICED THAT DARCARS DODGE IN LANHAM, MARYLAND AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER WASTED NO TIME CASHING THE CHECK FOR MY CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I WANT TO TAKE MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THAT IS ALMOST A HOUR AWAY. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED WITH A DEMO TO USE WHILE THEY FIX MY CAR. CAN I GET A NEW CAR ? *TR

WHILE DRIVING SAW SMOKE FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ROOF AND PILLAR, THEN SAW FLAMES, EXTINGUISHED FLAMES, REPAIRER ADVISED THAT SHORT IN FUSE BLOCK STARTED THE FIRE, REPAIRS WERE $13000+ AND AFFECTED REAR LIGHTS AND SEAT BELTS. *TR

BEFORE I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR ITS 6,000 CHECK UP OIL CHANGE. I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A LOT OF SHAKING IN THE WHEEL AND BRAKES. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE DURING THE 6K CHECK. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS MY TIRE PRESSURE. A WEEK AND A HALF LATER I TOOK IT BACK TO DARCARS. THEN THEY INFORMED ME ONE TIRE HAD TOO MUCH AIR IN IT. THEN I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN THEY STATES THE ROTORS WHERE WORN BECAUSE I LET THE CAR SIT TOO LONG(???????????????) THAT WAS ONLY AFTER I WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH THE SHOP MANAGER AND I TOLD HIM THRU CONVERSATION I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR THAT MUCH. SO, THEN THEY TURNED THE ROTORS WHICH I DEMANDED TO MEASUREMENT DOCUMENTED BEFORE AND AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE. THEN IT WAS THE SAME THING AFTERWARDS I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEN THEY CONTACTED DARCARS. THEN DARCARS MANAGER BOB TELLS ME THAT A TSB IS COMING OUT FOR BUSHINGS FOR THE BRAKES ON THE CHARGER AND THAT THE PARTS WILL BE IN AT THE END OF THE MONTH . MEANWHILE, THEY WILL CHANGE THE ROTORS (LET ME GUESS NOT THE PADS)AFTER THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD A THING FROM DARCARS OR DAIMLER BUT A CALL FROM DARCARS CUSTOMER SERVICE NOT THE MANAGEMENT. WELL YESTERDAY I WAS LEAVING WORK AND I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE WINDOW DOWN AND MUSIC DOWN. I HEAR SINGING NOISE FROM MY CAR. I AM TRULY DISTURBED. I NOTICED THAT DARCARS DODGE IN LANHAM, MARYLAND AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER WASTED NO TIME CASHING THE CHECK FOR MY CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I WANT TO TAKE MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THAT IS ALMOST A HOUR AWAY. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED WITH A DEMO TO USE WHILE THEY FIX MY CAR. CAN I GET A NEW CAR ? *TR