2005 DODGE MAGNUM [XXX], ORDERED 30 JUN 2004, ASSEMBLED 26-27 AUGUST 2004 IN BRAMPTON, ONTARIO; DELIVERED TO PURCHASER 17 SEP 2004. LIFTGATE FAILS TO OPEN DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC RELEASE. ONLY ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO RELEASE THE LIFTGATE LOCK IS TO CRAWL INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, REMOVE AN ACCESS PANEL OVER THE LOCKING MECHANISM AND RELEASE THE LOCK MANUALLY. I NOTIFIED DODGE VIA THEIR WEB SITE (20 SEP 2004) AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN, IN 7 SUBSEQUENT EMAILS, THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT SO MUCH WITH THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECHANISM, BUT WITH THE FACT THAT DODGE WOULD RELEASE FOR PUBLIC SALE A VEHICLE WITH SUCH A POORLY ENGINEERED BACKUP SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING THE REAR COMPARTMENT VIA THE LIFTGATE IN THE EVENT OF A LIFTGATE LATCH FAILURE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER SERVICE WRITER, THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE GROUND WIRE TO THE LATCH MECHANISM. THIS SOMETIMES RESULTS IN THE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT-REAR PASSENGER DOOR TO OPEN AS WELL, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PART OF THE PROBLEM. DODGELAND, USA APPARENTLY HAS A TECHNICIAN WHO HAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ON AT LEAST THREE (3) OTHER MAGNUMS IN LAS VEGAS. I AM PLANNING TO HAVE MY MAGNUM REPAIRED WITHIN A DAY OR SO. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED BY MY DEALER (DODGELAND, USA) THAT DODGE NOW RECOGNIZES A DESIGN PROBLEM AND WILL BE INSTALLING KEYLOCK ACCESS ON THE OUTSIDE LIFTGATES OF 2006 AND NEWER DODGE MAGNUMS. I INSIST ALL CURRENT OWNERS SHOULD RECEIVE A RETROFIT OF THIS KEYLOCK CAPABILITY. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. [XXX] [XXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2006
POWER TRAIN
AFTER REFUELING VEHICLE TO A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN DRIVING. IN SOME CASES MULTIPLE TIMES. THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE STALL AND THE TIMING OF THE INCIDENT SEEMS RANDOM - SOMETIMES RIGHT AWAY AFTER FILL-UP, SOMETIMES A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD. ONLY OCCURS AT FULL TANK CONDITION BUT DOES OCCUR EVERY TIME THE TANK IS FILLED. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS IT IS DIFFICULT TO START BACK UP - POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE LOST DURING THIS TIME. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELED 10-15 MILES THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY - UNTIL FILLING THE GAS TANK AGAIN. IT SEEMS LIKE AN EMISSIONS SYSTEMS TYPE OF PROBLEM - MAYBE PART OF THE FUEL TANK VENTING SYSTEM. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR TYPE OF VEHICLES (CHRYSLER 300, DODGE CHARGER) ON THE INTERNET. *TR