What you are describing is a transmission problem. There is a TSB, Technical Service Bulletin that addresses your transmission shudder. It may involve replacement of your torque converter. Your dealership should have access to this bulletin. Evidently, you have a vehicle built before November 2006. The build date is located on a sticker on your drivers door, toward the rear of the door. There have been numerous TSBs released trying to fix the shudder in the transmission. From all that I have heard, the bulletin released about three weeks ago finally solved the problem. Make sure your service manager follows the most recent TSB and you should have no futher issues with your transmission.
Here's my laundry list of issues
3 weeks after owning my Nitro SLT, it would not start - it would when it was hot, it would when it was cold but not when it was warm. It ended up being a bad fuel pump. For those of you who are experiencing the stalling, you may want to have your dealer check into the fuel pump, in case it is related.
At the same visit, I complained of a vibration - the dealership reflashed and rebalanced the tires. The condition is now worse.
At the next visit, they thought the drive shafts were not properly balanced so they flew in a Chrysler technician with his special tool to find out that it was not the problem. They did replace the drive shafts anyway. The dealer proceeded with replacing the rear ring and pinion, that did not fix it, now they have replaced the front differential. After all of this, the Nitro still "shakes" at 30 mph (1200-1500 RPMs - I describe this as the feeling you get when driving on rumble strips) and vibrates at 40 mph (1500 RPM). We have been told to drop into 2nd gear so the RPMs would be brought up. It stops the shaking and vibrating but the motor is now racing because the RPMs are too high. This is what the dealer described to me as the "fix" and that Dodge has no plans to write a program to reflash my Nitro.
I now have an appointment for them to look at it again tomorrow but the bottom line is - Deal with it, Dodge has no plans to change the current program. I guess I'll be checking into my rights under the Lemon Law next.
At the same visit, I complained of a vibration - the dealership reflashed and rebalanced the tires. The condition is now worse.
At the next visit, they thought the drive shafts were not properly balanced so they flew in a Chrysler technician with his special tool to find out that it was not the problem. They did replace the drive shafts anyway. The dealer proceeded with replacing the rear ring and pinion, that did not fix it, now they have replaced the front differential. After all of this, the Nitro still "shakes" at 30 mph (1200-1500 RPMs - I describe this as the feeling you get when driving on rumble strips) and vibrates at 40 mph (1500 RPM). We have been told to drop into 2nd gear so the RPMs would be brought up. It stops the shaking and vibrating but the motor is now racing because the RPMs are too high. This is what the dealer described to me as the "fix" and that Dodge has no plans to write a program to reflash my Nitro.
I now have an appointment for them to look at it again tomorrow but the bottom line is - Deal with it, Dodge has no plans to change the current program. I guess I'll be checking into my rights under the Lemon Law next.
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I think MyBlu has the answer here. It's amazing to me that he knows, while the dealership and even the "Chysler technician" seems to be so in the dark.
This is my problem with this whole thing... now follow me here because I'd like everyone's opinion.
How do you as a new car dealership send a customer back out on the road in a heavily vibrating SUV and tell them... just shift it down into 2nd and drive it that way so it won't shake so bad? Pleeeeeeease! I would think they'd say. This vehicle doesn't appear all that safe... it could lock up or strand you at any time... here's a comparable type vehicle to drive while we get yours safely repaired.
Does this sound crazy or far fetched????????????????
This is my problem with this whole thing... now follow me here because I'd like everyone's opinion.
How do you as a new car dealership send a customer back out on the road in a heavily vibrating SUV and tell them... just shift it down into 2nd and drive it that way so it won't shake so bad? Pleeeeeeease! I would think they'd say. This vehicle doesn't appear all that safe... it could lock up or strand you at any time... here's a comparable type vehicle to drive while we get yours safely repaired.
Does this sound crazy or far fetched????????????????
top gun & MyBluNITRO your problem is that you are trying to apply logic to something a dealer does this will not work as our world & their world are not the same. Unfortuanatly the only S at some dealerships is Sales not sales & service.
Both these gentleman are correct there is a TSB that will fix your problem perhaps you should go to another dealer & explain the problem to him worth a shot I think.
Both these gentleman are correct there is a TSB that will fix your problem perhaps you should go to another dealer & explain the problem to him worth a shot I think.
You're obviously right. It's just a shame. You and I are some of the lucky ones that seem to have had good experiances for the most part. It would just do Dodge so much good if they could get the rep for cool cars AND great customer service. The main thing that holds a company back from a "Honda like" reputation is poor customer service. I think customers can handle their vehicle with some problems... as long as the dealership is all over it doing everything to make things right.danpfay99 said:top gun & MyBluNITRO your problem is that you are trying to apply logic to something a dealer does this will not work as our world & their world are not the same. Unfortuanatly the only S at some dealerships is Sales not sales & service.
Both these gentleman are correct there is a TSB that will fix your problem perhaps you should go to another dealer & explain the problem to him worth a shot I think.
Personally I wish Dodge would take down their online & 1-800 customer service. It is REALLY giving the company a bad rep!!! Absolutely TERRIBLE EMPLOYEES!!!
Still love the Nitro style though.I really appreciate all of the information. I am absolutely disgusted with what has happened. This is the first brand new car I have ever owned, and probably the last. Interestingly, when I described this problem to them, they told me that I would have to bring it in so they could get a better idea of what the issue is - I decided to take my husband with me because I knew they would not talk to him like he was a woman - when we arrived, my husband did the same explaining that I did and now they didn't need to drive it, they knew it was shifting into lock-out too soon and the only fix is to reflash it. Then we got into this vicious circle - since mine had already been reflashed at visit #1, they did not have another program and Chrysler wasn't planning to do another program. As the service manager described the other day, my car is programmed like every one on the lot - God help all the new buyers!! My appointment is this morning so I will be telling them about the information that you've provided. What a shame to go through all of this - my dealership must have received this service bulletin and should have known exactly what to do to fix mine and get me off their backs. Thanks again - I'll have to let you know how I make out!!
I haven't had any problems of them telling me that my vehicle is fine. If there is something wrong with my vehicle, I look for the tsb here. I then print it out and present it to the dealer. I have had no problem of them not being able to fix it other then them not having the part. Just walked in with the radio buzzing tsb this morning. No problem, the service writter was actually glad that he had the tsb. So hopefully the next time your vehicle needs to go in the shop, print the tsb for them and hand it to them.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I too have a laundry list. I've owned my Nitro for exactly three months and the problems have been getting steadily worse.
It started with the keyless entry not working at random. That was followed by shifting problems in 3rd gear, which has now progressed to shifting problems in all gears. After that I got an ABS recall. All of this culminated in Saturday morning when every single dash indicator lit up and the gas pedal actually depressed itself while the tach went off the scale. I had to turn it off to resolve the problem. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had been on a curvy road or highway instead of a straight side street.
I drove straight to the dealership to ask for a loaner so I could leave my vehicle with them until service opened back up on Monday. I was told they don't provide loaners, they don't arrange for rental cars and "we didn't manufacture the vehicle; it's not our responsibility. Take it up with Chrysler."
I was given two options: drive the same vehicle with a quirky gas pedal until Monday or buy a new vehicle from them with no credit for my original downpayment and at an increase of $60/mo. on my payment. All of this was on top the sales guy who continually sexually harassed me.
I finally had to drive to another dealership 45 miles away to get someone to look at my truck. They ran diagnostics and said they didn't see anything wrong and sent me right back out on the road.
I live in Louisiana, so the problems aren't caused by extreme temperatures. It's an automatic because the dealer refused to order a manual transmission for me. All my other trucks have been manual transmission and I've never had a problem remotely like this with any of them. And, I've only put 1500 miles on this vehicle; problems started at about 500 miles.
I've been a loyal Dodge truck owner for almost 20 years now. They're crazy if they think they're going to be able to write this off.
It started with the keyless entry not working at random. That was followed by shifting problems in 3rd gear, which has now progressed to shifting problems in all gears. After that I got an ABS recall. All of this culminated in Saturday morning when every single dash indicator lit up and the gas pedal actually depressed itself while the tach went off the scale. I had to turn it off to resolve the problem. I can only imagine what would have happened if I had been on a curvy road or highway instead of a straight side street.
I drove straight to the dealership to ask for a loaner so I could leave my vehicle with them until service opened back up on Monday. I was told they don't provide loaners, they don't arrange for rental cars and "we didn't manufacture the vehicle; it's not our responsibility. Take it up with Chrysler."
I was given two options: drive the same vehicle with a quirky gas pedal until Monday or buy a new vehicle from them with no credit for my original downpayment and at an increase of $60/mo. on my payment. All of this was on top the sales guy who continually sexually harassed me.
I finally had to drive to another dealership 45 miles away to get someone to look at my truck. They ran diagnostics and said they didn't see anything wrong and sent me right back out on the road.
I live in Louisiana, so the problems aren't caused by extreme temperatures. It's an automatic because the dealer refused to order a manual transmission for me. All my other trucks have been manual transmission and I've never had a problem remotely like this with any of them. And, I've only put 1500 miles on this vehicle; problems started at about 500 miles.
I've been a loyal Dodge truck owner for almost 20 years now. They're crazy if they think they're going to be able to write this off.
Hello Archangel, I Also Live In Lousiana, To Be Specific, Around Lake Charles, La.
If You Haven't Already Done So, Read My Thread About Engine Downshifts, There Is A Tsb Part Number That May Be Helpful To You If You Have A Dodge Nitro.
As Far As The Sexual Harassment, Know For Sure That There Are More Than Enough Lawyers To Handle Your Case. Be Persistent In This Matter And That Person Will Regret That It Never Happened. Good Luck On All Of Your Matters.....................mcnabb.
If You Haven't Already Done So, Read My Thread About Engine Downshifts, There Is A Tsb Part Number That May Be Helpful To You If You Have A Dodge Nitro.
As Far As The Sexual Harassment, Know For Sure That There Are More Than Enough Lawyers To Handle Your Case. Be Persistent In This Matter And That Person Will Regret That It Never Happened. Good Luck On All Of Your Matters.....................mcnabb.
For the most part and thus far....I'm having good luck with my new Nitro (1800 miles and 2 months). There are a couple of things I would like to see different:
*Seems like there is a lot of "slack" in the transmission. Stop on a hill and the thing just keeps rolling backward (Yes...it's an automatic).
*Seems like it needs a grab handle in the ceiling for the front passenger side.
*I'd like to see the 4.0 engine to be the base with a Hemi being offered in the upper end.
*I'd like to see a 4 wheel LOW option...give it a little more legimitacy as an off road vehicle.
*Seems like there is a lot of "slack" in the transmission. Stop on a hill and the thing just keeps rolling backward (Yes...it's an automatic).
*Seems like it needs a grab handle in the ceiling for the front passenger side.
*I'd like to see the 4.0 engine to be the base with a Hemi being offered in the upper end.
*I'd like to see a 4 wheel LOW option...give it a little more legimitacy as an off road vehicle.
i Definitely Agree About Having A Grab Handle Installed But I Was Wondering About The Reason Why They Did Not Do So. The Side Curtain Air Bags May Have Been Their Issue. Who Knows?
Also, Would I Be Able To Get An Aftermarket Grab Handle Installed.....safely, Realiable, Definite Life Fixture????
If Anyone Knows About An Aftermarket Grab Handle Please Let Me Know. Many Thanks To All..................mcnabb.
Also, Would I Be Able To Get An Aftermarket Grab Handle Installed.....safely, Realiable, Definite Life Fixture????
If Anyone Knows About An Aftermarket Grab Handle Please Let Me Know. Many Thanks To All..................mcnabb.
I have also had the same problem. My torque coverter was replaced. This did make a difference but the problem is still quite noticeable. I to was told that this was now normal and that when driven a certain way that all of these vehicles could be made to do this. I told them that I can't make any of my other vehicles do this and that reguardless of what the say, this is not normal. I was told that it is for this vehicle and they were not prepared to do anything for me. The problem still remains.GetoutofDodge said:3 weeks after owning my Nitro SLT, it would not start - it would when it was hot, it would when it was cold but not when it was warm. It ended up being a bad fuel pump. For those of you who are experiencing the stalling, you may want to have your dealer check into the fuel pump, in case it is related.
At the same visit, I complained of a vibration - the dealership reflashed and rebalanced the tires. The condition is now worse.
At the next visit, they thought the drive shafts were not properly balanced so they flew in a Chrysler technician with his special tool to find out that it was not the problem. They did replace the drive shafts anyway. The dealer proceeded with replacing the rear ring and pinion, that did not fix it, now they have replaced the front differential. After all of this, the Nitro still "shakes" at 30 mph (1200-1500 RPMs - I describe this as the feeling you get when driving on rumble strips) and vibrates at 40 mph (1500 RPM). We have been told to drop into 2nd gear so the RPMs would be brought up. It stops the shaking and vibrating but the motor is now racing because the RPMs are too high. This is what the dealer described to me as the "fix" and that Dodge has no plans to write a program to reflash my Nitro.
I now have an appointment for them to look at it again tomorrow but the bottom line is - Deal with it, Dodge has no plans to change the current program. I guess I'll be checking into my rights under the Lemon Law next.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
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