Big Horn Quality Issues

[kmck94]

So after having the truck for a week, I am starting to notice some problems. Sometimes when I cold start the hemi there is a loud thunk, almost like the starter is not disengaging correctly. Second, the drop in bed liner makes a hell of a racket when going over bumps right next to the back window and it is extremely annoying. Third, the passenger muffler is a good 3/4 inches lower than the driver side. Lastly, the rear driver side crew cab door vibrates if you try to have any bass with your music.
My question is am I just being nitpicky at this point or are these all issues I should go to the dealer about? After being on the form for a week starting to think I should not have gone with the first year redesign model.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Ramajama]

You say the starter makes a thunk sound “sometimes”? How often is “sometimes”? If you take it in, they have to be able to replicate the problem.
If the drop in liner was dealer or factory installed, make them sure it up so it doesn’t make a racket over bumps.

If there’s 3/4 difference in the drop of the mufflers....warranty. They should fix it.

The door rattle is a bit on the iffy side. You can always try a warranty claim.

I cant make the call that you’re being knitpicky exactly. You have the option to take it in for any issue you encounter, its up to them to either fix it or tell you its not covered or they cant fix it.

I think that the more RAM knows about new truck issues, the better and faster they can start refining them. There’s always going to be some teething in all new models. But from the sound of your little bitty issues, I certainly wouldn’t be second guessing your purchase or poo pooing a brand new model.

 

[4sallypat]

You say the starter makes a thunk sound “sometimes”? How often is “sometimes”? If you take it in, they have to be able to replicate the problem.
If the drop in liner was dealer or factory installed, make them sure it up so it doesn’t make a racket over bumps.

If there’s 3/4 difference in the drop of the mufflers....warranty. They should fix it.

The door rattle is a bit on the iffy side. You can always try a warranty claim.

I cant make the call that you’re being knitpicky exactly. You have the option to take it in for any issue you encounter, its up to them to either fix it or tell you its not covered or they cant fix it.

I think that the more RAM knows about new truck issues, the better and faster they can start refining them. There’s always going to be some teething in all new models. But from the sound of your little bitty issues, I certainly wouldn’t be second guessing your purchase or poo pooing a brand new model.

OP:
From a person who got a first year model, brand new platform car - you are not nit-picky.

I currently drive a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport which was a first year new model platform for JLR and when I read your post, issues I had were very similar.
Mine were: TCU (crash transmitter) replacement, random resets of both information displays, loss of radio station memory, failure to engage in reverse, laggy powertrain, auto start/stop failure, poorly fitting rear spoiler, hatch rattles, door clacking, squeaking, speakers rattling at lower volume, etc... All were resolved over many trips to the dealer under warranty.

As a first year, I can't wait to get out of this vehicle and get into a Ram 1500, but then I know that there will be issues a first year new model & new platform truck....

Just note the issues, take a video of the sounds to share with the service advisor and be patient while they work out issues.
It will definitely help the future production.....

 

[Jared B]

Personally, I'd schedule a dealer visit for those issues. The exhaust tip is an easy one, all the have to do is loosen the clamp and adjust the tip into place before retightening it, rattles and noises drive me nuts so I'd definitely be getting the door panel and bedliner looked at.

As for that starter sound as @Ramajama said that is something that the dealer will have to duplicate so just be prepared it might take more than one visit for that one unfortunately.

 

[alacombe]

So after having the truck for a week, I am starting to notice some problems. Sometimes when I cold start the hemi there is a loud thunk, almost like the starter is not disengaging correctly. Second, the drop in bed liner makes a hell of a racket when going over bumps right next to the back window and it is extremely annoying. Third, the passenger muffler is a good 3/4 inches lower than the driver side. Lastly, the rear driver side crew cab door vibrates if you try to have any bass with your music.
My question is am I just being nitpicky at this point or are these all issues I should go to the dealer about? After being on the form for a week starting to think I should not have gone with the first year redesign model.
Thanks for your help.

hell yeah go to the dealer why wouldn't you go?

 

[kmck94]

hell yeah go to the dealer why wouldn't you go?

Just wasn't sure if I was being nitpicky or if these are common problems. First new vehicle so I wasn't sure at what point the dealer would get pissed.

 

[Jared B]

Just wasn't sure if I was being nitpicky or if these are common problems. First new vehicle so I wasn't sure at what point the dealer would get pissed.

Yeah, take it in. Don't worry about the dealer, it's you that needs to be happy, not them. They get reimbursed for warranty work anyways so it's not a big deal.

 

[Agitated]

I get the loud thunk/clunk on cold start up too. I can't say for sure if it is the starter or not but it is from that area. Sounds like what you are describing. Not really a concern for me personally until someone confirms there's a problem. I also have one tailpipe lower than the other, fixed it with a wrench in about 2 minutes. As for the drop in bedliner, get rid of that thing before it rubs through the bed and rusts.

 

[kmck94]

I get the loud thunk/clunk on cold start up too. I can't say for sure if it is the starter or not but it is from that area. Sounds like what you are describing. Not really a concern for me personally until someone confirms there's a problem. I also have one tailpipe lower than the other, fixed it with a wrench in about 2 minutes. As for the drop in bedliner, get rid of that thing before it rubs through the bed and rusts.

I live in Florida so I am not too worried about rust. Unless you're saying it will rub the paint off then rust. It is on my list to do but spending money on level/lift and rims first.

 

[RamCares]

So after having the truck for a week, I am starting to notice some problems. Sometimes when I cold start the hemi there is a loud thunk, almost like the starter is not disengaging correctly. Second, the drop in bed liner makes a hell of a racket when going over bumps right next to the back window and it is extremely annoying. Third, the passenger muffler is a good 3/4 inches lower than the driver side. Lastly, the rear driver side crew cab door vibrates if you try to have any bass with your music.
My question is am I just being nitpicky at this point or are these all issues I should go to the dealer about? After being on the form for a week starting to think I should not have gone with the first year redesign model.
Thanks for your help.

Hi kmck94,
I'm sorry you have been experiencing these symptoms on your brand new truck. Please send me your VIN and mileage so we can look into this further.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[PorBoy]

Op did you contact the dealer yet ?

 

[kmck94]

Op did you contact the dealer yet ?

Yes I did. Problem is I left it there for 4 hours and the starting noise did not happen. So now I have to leave it overnight. Traveling for the next couple weeks but will leave it by the end of the month.

 

[Dusty1948]

Just wasn't sure if I was being nitpicky or if these are common problems. First new vehicle so I wasn't sure at what point the dealer would get pissed.

I don't think you are being nitpicking. My dealer has addressed several assembly quality issues with mine and hasn't fluttered an eyelash.

Best regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 003075 miles.

 

[PorBoy]

Any updates OP ?

 

[kmck94]

Any updates OP ?

I ended up fixing the muffler tip myself. For the bed liner it has gotten much better, I think the sun beating on it molded it into place.
For the starting issue...I cannot figure this s**t out. The amount of times I have tried to remote start to hear the noise outside after letting it sit never works. I only ever hear it inside. I would say that loud clunk happens 25% of the time but only inside. I have a feeling many people will start reporting this as I am seeing more and more posts about it.

 

[MopaRAMan]

Kmck94

You are not alone on the clunk at startup. My issue isn’t very consistent, so I haven’t taken it in to the dealership yet. It was a violent sound and thunk the first few times I heard it, however it seems like it’s about 50-70% as loud as it was initially. My clunk only occurs about about 5-10% of the time. To me it sounds like it’s coming from the transmission, but like you I haven’t been able to get it to occur while I’m outside of the truck. My hunch is it might be related to the start/stop capability of the transmission.

 

[Edwards]

I read somewhere that the start/stop feature also includes a hydraulic accumulator on the transmission. Could that be the cause?

 

[DSOOBY]

Mine does this from time to time on start up, also it may make a rattling sound instead. I’ve been guessing it’s the starter clutch like mentioned before. Keep us updated if you find out what it is, I haven’t been super concerned with it though.

I have a non etorque motor so no start stop. Rules that out as a cause

 

[kmck94]

Mine does this from time to time on start up, also it may make a rattling sound instead. I’ve been guessing it’s the starter clutch like mentioned before. Keep us updated if you find out what it is, I haven’t been super concerned with it though.

I have a non etorque motor so no start stop. Rules that out as a cause

I do not have the etorque as well.

 

[mjharden]

Anyone get their loud “clank” on startup fixed? For what it’s worth, I’ve started my truck for the last 10 times in a row using the keyfob, and it hasn’t made the sound once! Based on this, I’m assuming the clank then is somehow related to using the start/stop button in the cab. Anyone with knowledge of how these systems work have any theories?