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Comments
I havefound that the way chrysler dealers become 5 star dealers is to send out comment cards to only the customers who they know will send back a favorable report. Some years back a service writer said that he knew that the service was terrible on my RAM 1500 but he literally begged me so send in a favorable report.
Thanks
Our 07 PAC has almost 23,000 miles on it. Every once and a while we get a jerky shift from 1st to 2nd, or when we stop and go rather quickly. Our dealers Service Manager said he would reflash it, and that shour resolve it. We have been blessed by having a great dealer, LLoyd Belt Chrysler, Dodge Jeep, in Eldon, Missouri.
No matter how good the vehicle, without qualified tech's who know their stuff the vehicle is no better than those who maintain it. Hope this helps. Is your PAC an AWD? We have been amazed at the power and the good fuel mileage.
farout
I can't say if you should ask for a buy back, only you and perhaps your Service Manager can help with that choice. However these clunks and odd noises need to be taken care of and the dealership should be able to find the problem and correct it.
With the Lifetime Powertrain Warranty that can be a long time, we expect this just might be our last vehicle as we are retired, and vehicles have been a big ex pence all our life, so maybe this will be what we need now. I do think the warranty is protection that no other vehicle company is even close to, and should deliver many years of service.
Take some time to think this over and get someone's advice who is knowledgeable about the PAC even a tec. at the dealer can be of a great help. Sorry I can not tell you much more. Hope this helps.
farout
Ive been to the shop so many times, they know my voice on the phone and when I come in they call me by name.
Ours they say they cant duplicate anything. But I think it's a line of crap. They will not replace anything, do anything, just say they can't duplicate it and thats it. In fact they have heard it. But dont want to do anything. :sick:
Transmission is still shifting hard, falling out of gear.
Front end makes noise, I get a whoomping sound when turning corner's.
Can't drive it in the rain or through a car wash and expect it to start when I turn it off.
Runs rough in rain
Molding on the top is falling off.
I loose traction on hills and going up on ramps.
Have to keep replacing the engine mounts, Roters had to be rotated already, brake's squeek.
Its just a lemon.. augh!! :lemon:
One good thing... The radio works!! LOL
Chrysler 1-800 number is a joke, I believe that the district manager is just screwing around so we will make it to the year mark and they dont have to do much about it being a lemon.
So, I called the District Attorney and filed the Lemon law, now the chrysler shop will not take my Pac in for repairs. Since we dont have arbration in my state that was the only way to go. I feel lost like no one is willing to help. I want to trade this off to get rid of the headache, but they wouldnt give me anything for it. 13,000 for this 07 with 11,000 miles on it. Talk about getting screwed!
Im waiting to hear what the District Attorney says.. :sick:
By the way, I get the same "whoomping" sound when turning as well. Service department "can't duplicate condition". Happens every time I drive it. I wonder if they actually drive them at all ? ? ? :confuse: When I bring mine back next week, I am going to insist that someone rides with me and I will drive around as long as it takes to "duplicate condition" !!! :sick:
I can fully understand what you are goin through! We bought a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (desiel) and it was in the shop 25 times in 16 months and 28,000 miles. The Service manager and the Thec's got so sick and tired of working on the Jeep they called Chrysler and said they could not fix all the problems. Chrysler called us to see if we would consider a buy back! Now that's bad when the service department is that up set over a vehicle.
If you bought the PAC used call the BBB that works very well, and is perhaps faster than the Lemon Law thing. I encourage all of you to document every time you talk or see someone about your problems. Many people trust their memory, and under pressure to quote someone they can't remember details that make your story rebiable.
The buy back on our Jeep libert went super great. But we picked a Jeep Compas which was less that we expected and the quality was sub-par. We drove it 9,200 miles and we drove it 5 months and traded it on the PAC. We got hurt bad on trading it in! We will be paying for a big dead horse for 5 more years! The hit we took on the Compass was worth it as the PAC is by far the better value and the mpg is much better as well.
I sure don't know about anyone elses finances, but for us it was a situstion where my wife and I hated the Jeep Compass, we the Compass after we got it. We made a bad choice, and we either lived with it or changed vehicles which hurt us.
So weigh it our and I hope it works out for U all.
farout
I have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica and am struggling to figure out how to proceed in solving my problem with it.
The check engine light came on about a month ago. I took it to Midas and they read the computer (for $60+ bucks!) and said the computer reported a problem with the bank 1 sensor 1 oxygen sensor. Since the car was driving find and the quote seemed high to replace it, I left. A few weeks later the car started to exhibit a dangerous problem: if you hit the gas, the car would just idle without warning. The problem was intermittent. Thinking that the problem was related to the oxygen sensor, I took the car back to Midas and had them replace the oxygen sensor. They also convinced me to pay for a fuel system cleaning. When I left Midas, the check engine light was still on. Midas said it was probably due to the fuel system cleaning and would likely go away in a few days.
I therefore continued to drive the vehicle and occasionally it would exhibit the aforementioned problem of not moving when you hit the gas pedal. About a week ago I drove a few miles to a store and when I left the store to return home, I could leave the parking lot. The car would not do anything but idle when I hit the gas.
I had the car towed to Midas. Midas inspected the vehicle the next morning. They called me and told me that the check engine light was no longer on and the car was behaving normally. They said the computer only read out the previous oxygen sensor error message (same bank 1 sensor 1).
I had read about the 2005 Pacifica recall related to the Fuel Pump Module and Power Train Control Module (PCM) Software (NHTSA recall number: 06V432000) the evening before Midas inspected the car. Midas recommended that I go to a transmission company. I showed the Midas representative the recall notice and he said that it was unrelated. So I left Midas and drove to AutoZone where I heard they give free advice.
I drove the car to AutoZone. The check engine light was no longer on, but the representative read the computer and just saw a two part message, which he showed me. The first part said there was a problem with the oxygen sensor in bank 1 sensor 1. The second part said they same thing but had a pending attribute on the message. The representative said that was probably just there because Midas didn't clear the message. He asked me if I wanted him to clear it. I said yes and he did so. He said it was probably an electrical problem and to bring the car back to read it when the light comes back on.
The light came back on later that day (yesterday) and I took it back to AutoZone. The representative read the computer and it had the same two part message about the oxygen sensor. The representative said the pending attribute on the second part might suggest the problem isn't just limited to the oxygen sensor.
My theory is that the message is suggesting there is a problem with the fuel mixture due to a malfunctioning fuel pump and power train control module as specified in the recall. Chrysler said my VIN did not match the recall. However, I dropped the car off at the Chrysler dealer and told them my theory. They said they will charge me a $106 to look at the car and will refund me the money if it turns out the recall does apply. I'm now waiting to hear back from them.
If they say the recall doesn't apply, I'm not sure what to do next. Any suggestions? I'd appreciate any guidance.
Regards,
Damon
If I am not mistaken, I believe that the Pacifica does NOT have an accelerator cable attached to a throttle body like older model cars do. I believe it is an electronic throttle device, either wired or wireless depending on the vehicle. If it were me, I would check in that area. You may be looking at a sensor problem. Like I say, I am not 100% sure, but thats where I would be looking. I have an 07 Pacifica with the 4.0 liter engine, and my car has no accelerator cable. Hope this helps. Anyone else have any suggestions?
Rhollis, I hear you. I originally emailed and called my Chrysler dealer for a quote for the o2 sensor replacement. They never provided me with a quote. Are you suggesting that Midas may not have replaced the o2 sensor effectively? If so, do you believe it is possible that the dangerous problem I am experiencing could be caused by a faulty oxygen sensor?
Bulldozer, I don't know how to determine whether my Pacifica has an accelerator cable or an electronic throttle device. The car is currently at the dealership. The recall I am worried about says the following:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) SOFTWARE MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Consequence:
THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Does this seem to potentially match my symptoms or does the o2 sensor message better match them?
Thanks! --Damon
With a few exceptions the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership can find the problem, and fix it properly with less cost and hassle than most places. The o2 sensor is usually replaced in pairs, top and bottom. Unless the correct one is replaced right and cleared form the computer the problem still continues. Often when just one sensor is replaced the other one will go out real soon too. (voice of experience on our 96 Dodge neon)
Many years ago I use to take my cars to these places thinking I was saving money. I was young and trying to save time and money. It wound up costing me a lot more time and money too. I am older and I hope smarter.
Here is one example, Oil Changes at Walmart for our PAC is $29.98 with their cheap oil. My dealer sends me coupons and an oil change is $21.95. I also get Mopar oil filters, and Mobil 10w 30w which is what the owners manual calls for. The car gets washed and inside is cleaned too, for $8.00 less. Jiffy Lube is $32. for the oil change, no brake there either. See what I mean.
By going to the dealership you find right up front if there is a recall or some other needed thing. The dealer is the one with the best communication from the factory for recalls and computer updates on their equipment that finds your problems.
I sure hope this helps, as you have been drug into muddy waters by these so-called automotive shops. And no I do not own Chrysler stock, but I have bought 17 Chrysler made vehicles and been very pleased with the service and the care our vehicles have gotten.
farout
I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical of all the Chrysler dealership recommendations. I like competition in markets and the idea that only Chrysler dealerships have access to the means of proper diagnosis concerns me. That said, I feel like I'm forced to go to the Chrysler dealership after the latest turn in events.
I paid the dealership $95 for their diagnosis that the bank 1, sensor 1 o2 sensor needed to be replaced, something I was already told by Midas and AutoZone. I was a bit frustrated by this. I felt I got something for my money when the dealership gave me a dealerconnect technical bulletin that said the 05 PAC o2 sensor needs to be replaced by an 04 PAC part. The issue was discovered in 2005, which makes me suspicious of quality.
I took the bulletin with the recommendation back to Midas and asked them to replace the o2 sensor with an 04 PAC Chrysler part. I left them a copy of the recommendation. They followed it and during testing after replacing the part with the part from the dealership, the check engine light appeared again stating a problem with the bank 1, sensor 1 o2 sensor.
I'm now planning to head back to the Chrysler dealership. I hear your comments about the quality of Midas technicians. However, I'm very reluctant to pay the Chrysler dealership to replace the o2 sensor a third time. I'm very suspicious of the computer in this 05 PAC. I wish I could find out if any of the 127K 05 Pacificas that were recalled had symptoms related to the o2 sensor. I wish I didn't have to trust the dealership, but I feel like I'm backed into a corner.
Regards,
Damon
So I've paid Midas for a o2 sensor I didn't need and have no idea when I'll get the replacement part I need.
I do not know what you paid for your PAC, but new our PAC was more than I earn in a year. In fact it's the most expensive vehicle I have ever bought. I want to protect our investment and for me the Dealership is the only one I trust, but that's just my opinion. Be well.
farout
I speak from experience. This is my advice:
1 - O2 sensors and modern car tuning is one of the most mis-understood areas of a modern car. If an O2 sensor is bad, especially the first bank, the car can run like total crap. O2 sensors send a voltage signal from .1 to 1.0 volts to the ecm which tells the computer if the car is running rich or lean. They are narrow-band senors, so they don't record a true air fuel ratio, but rather give the computer a "rich" or "lean" signal. The car then "learns" and adapts as you drive as the fuel injector are pulsed based on this signal. The sensors are used only to fine tune the a/f as the ECM has a built-in fuel table.
2 - ONLY use OEM O2 sensors and get them from the dealer. The quality of "off" brand or non-original sensors are not very good. Just ask any dyno-tuner. You won't find them anywhere but the delear.
3 - The PAC's are equipped with a drive by wire system. They don't use a throttle cable. This may be where your problem lies. Although, the car may not like the O2 sensor signal, so it could be preventing you from driving it to prevent damage to the motor. I can't say for sure, as I don't know the car well enough.
4 - You need someone who is good with tuning or diagnostics. You won't find this at Midas, Sears, Wallmart etc.... You either need to go to a dealer OR find a good local guy who owns his own shop with a good reputation for solving problems. The car needs to be road-tested or put on a dyno with a data-logger to find the problem. Only then will the tuner be able to read the O2 signal and will be able to see what is going on. Going to Auto-Zone or Midas only get's you in the ball-park as far as codes are concerned.
5 - If you are on a tight-budget, make sure they know that. There is nothing wrong with that. Most shops will work with folks and cut them breaks....not usually dealers though, but it is still worth a try.
6 - Any shop that sells fuel system cleaning services should not be trusted. IMO, no reputable shop or mechanic would sell those services. They are a scam.
today my car is ready... I'll let you know.
It might not hurt to haave an independent certified mechanic drive the car and make a report. This worked for me - one was at my expense and the other, who drove the car before and after attempted repairs, was on someone elses nickel.
they felt the problem and again left the car, I called Chrysler to let them know my car was in the shop for tenth time and the reason because I did not want to do a lemon law was because I liked very much the car but that it will be the last time that they will have to fix it or I want a new car, they seemed very nice and receptive they gave me a claim number and asked for the miles of the car.
After that I received a call from the service manager and let me know that they were doing the best they can and were with the Chrysler technicians fixing my car
they gave me my car back and again at the beginning it felt very smooth but after few days is coming back to do bad , I'm not sure if I want that car that has been torn apart few times, today I'm driving some other cars and call Chrysler if they don't want to change my car I'll get a attorney any way they will have to pay for it.
I'll keep posted
In March, perhaps, I went to a local Chrysler dealer to wee about buying a 2008 T&C once my Pacifica issue was resolved. The salesman knew that I was coming, but he then had to waste my time while he swept the snow off the demo so that I could take it for a drive. We went through all of thedetails, I told him what equipment I wanted, etc., and he then fiddled around trying to come up with a price. I had an appontment to get to so I asked him to either call me with the price (he had 3 phonenumbers for me) or E-mail it to me. I am still waiting. I really feel that the problem is at the local level.
With all of the vehicle mfg's hurting, and they are all but selling below factory cost this might not be a bad time to buy if a person can pay cash, as credit for cars is not what it used to be a year or so ago.
farout
Chrysler called me and let me know that I have to drop the car Dec 1st at 8.30 am
because the technician is comming, I don't know if to try to fix it or just to replace it
I was seeing a 2008 Pac I drove it and seems to drive better i tried to make it to do the fault but was fine, do you think that it would be good idea to change it for one I can get one signature series with all the options for $25,000 with 0 miles seems good price I paid for mine $32,000 and has not nav or back up camera
but I don't know because is a car that is not comming for 2009.
your advice is welcome.
I fully expect to see 2008 vehicles of all brands still being sold new in June 2009. This car business is in the worst condition you can inagine.
We initally has the shudder problem but with the TC replacement and two reflashes it was gone. We are very pleased with out PAC and the excellent mpg!
Hope this helps.
farout
I'll keep in touch.
If you have the 4. L and 6 speed, There has to be amistake some place. Here is why. At 55 mpg and in 6th gear most of us are about 1600 rpm. So just as a rough guess you would be about 700 rpm. Heck that's less than the 800 the engine is runing in netural while parked. Now if you have the 3.8 L and the 4 speed which is in the Pacifica 5 seat 2 rows FWD than that is the engine and trans you have. I doubt very much that at 25 mph your in 4th lock up. If you are you need to get to the dealer and have them check it out as that just seems like it can't be.
How do you like your PAC? We have a 2007 PAC. Touring AWD and this is by far the best vehicle we have ever owned in 48 years of driving! There is just one thing we don't like! It's not paid for yet.....lol.
Please let me know what engine an trans. you have ok?
farout
Jacksonville, FL
Here's what it does in more detail: From a dead stop to 25 mph it will shift 4 times, the fourth feeling like overdrive but I guess it's acutally 5th gear? The shifting is not necessarily rough but I've never had a car where the shifting has been so obvoius and even distracting.
Fortunately, if don't have the shuddering/torque converter problem. Happened to see a show last night showing a transmission assembly (so now I'm an expert : )but have not stayed at a Holiday Inn Express). Wonder how many other components govern WHEN the car shifts in relation to speed and torque.
replaced once. It has been flashed 3 times, had a strut replaced and a motor mount
replaced. It drives considerably better than it did except for rough shifts and a very
low frequency rumble occasionally. All of the work was done at 10,000 miles. My car
shifts gears very quickly and I am in 5th gear before I get to 30mph. I mentioned this
at two dealerships, and neither showed any interest. I have driven the car another
5000 miles including a trip in the Rocky Mountains. I intend to keep driving until
something major happens. I bought the extended max warranty on this vehicle, so
when and if it truly is junk as I suspect, they'll be fixing it for many years to come.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent, have a nice day
they told me that they will contact me to give me a proposal but it has been one week and nothing happened
Is it any wonder that the Big 3 are in trouble. Thirty years ago I was at a party in Detroit and I was tallking to a just retired GM executive. He made it extremely clear that GM was in serious trouble and if they did not change their management and their flawed management policies they would get in deeper and deeper. Well!
Years ago I had a problem with a Ford Ranger. After three trips to the dealer and a phone call from my attorney, I received a refund. That sure isn't the way that it works now.
Chrysler moves what seems slow to us, but the Zone Rep has certian ways that Chrysler LLC. requires. Be patient. Nothing screws up people more than getting angery or making demands that puts the Zone Rep in a box. I personally have had a 1006 Dodge Caravan and a 2005 Jeep Liberty CDR (diesel) bought back by Chrysler, so I know what I am talking about.
Here is my opinion on what I would do If I were in your shoes. I would call your Service manager and tell him what it is you want. If you want the PAC fixed or bought back or just what it is you want/. Then ask the Service manager to call the Zone Rep what it is you want. Then call the General manager of the dealership and tell him that there hsa been some issues and the Zone Rep was going to get back to yoy and some how communication has either dropped or he is swamped with work, and ask for the G. M. to help you.
Make sure you have all your repairs and trips to the dealership documented so you have a accurate record, and can prove your issues. The records are vital for you to win your points!
Your attitude is everything! Keep your cool, do not let anger blow your case, that's what screws up more cases. Give positive praise for anyone who is helping you, say that you appreciate their help often. Remember there are stupid jerks that make threats all the time, and slam insults left and right at those who could be of help. Most of the time people are really suprised to find someone who is kind and just treating them as people just tike you. Kindness is priceless, praise is like a raise, especially if you let their boss know how helpful or thoughtful the worker was to you.
DO NOT GO TO ARBITRATION, OR THE LEMON LAW. These avenues are not in your favor, and you are on the defensive, but Chrysler then becomes the attacker. Chrysler has full time Attornies that deal with these kind of issues where they have to defend why you should get as little as possible...you never come out ahead.
Chrysler now has their 1800-992-1997 Customer Care line answered by people in INDIA! You can call that, but tell them you want to have someone who can help you with what you want, and demand you speak with someone in the USA. This too might take a day or two as well.
My Jeep Buy back started Feb. 16,2007 and was dome by April 4, 2007. It does take time.
I too have had the transmission shuddering problem. They have done a TC replacement and two reflashes after that. Mostly the shudder is gone, but in tempatures below 25 F. it does seem noticeable. My dealer is looking at it on Dec 30, 2008. So I too will see if a new reflash might do the trick.
Hope this encourages you and maybe helps you.
farout