NHTSA Complaint #10251267 — 2008 DODGE RAM 3500

ON 7-26-08, MY TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN ACROSS COUNTRY WHEN THE TRUCK SHUT ITSELF DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE IN A WRECK. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK DELIVERED TO A DODGE SERVICE CENTER, THEY SAID THE TRUCKS FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEM WAS PLUGGED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. HE WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEM, THE TURBO, EXHAUST BRAKE, AND EGR VALVE WOULD SUFFER CARBON DAMAGE AND WOULD NEED TO BE MAINTENANCE REGULARLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM FUNCTIONING. THE LABOR WOULD TAKE AROUND 6 HOURS EACH TIME MAINTENANCE AT $80/HR. ON 12-6-08, WHILE DRIVING, THE EXHAUST BRAKE LOCKED UP SHUT, CAUSING PRESSURE TO BUILD UP UNTIL THE TURBO BLEW OFF THE EXHAUST. AFTER DRIVING THE TRUCK TO A SERVICE CENTER AND THE EXHAUST FUMES BEING FORCED INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT, DUE TO THE CARBON DAMAGE,THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER ORDERING THE $2200 DODGE SERVICE CENTER TURBO/EXHAUST, I RECOMMEND A RECALL OR LIFETIME WARRANTY ON ALL EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS FOR THESE FAULTY CATALYTIC SYSTEMS. *TR