10.0
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- No data
- Average Mileage:
- 94,500 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 2 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (1 reports)
- replace heater core & clean out entire vent system (1 reports)
2001 Dodge Ram trucks did not come with any kind of exterior air filter for the a/c-heater system. As a result of this deficiency, over time, twigs, leaves and pine needles will eventually find there way into the a/c and heater core where they will rot. This rotting of organic material will not only cause a nauseating moldy smell but contribute to early failure of the a/c and heater core.
To add further frustration to this problem, you must evacuate your a/c system and partially drain the radiator prior to dismantel the entire interior dash to reach the core housing unit in order to replace the heater and a/c core. This is not a simple repair nor a quick one.
Clearly, Dodge is aware of this problem because they have since added exterior air intake filters to newer trucks. Also, a service manager at my local dealership stated this is a common problem and they advise owners to spray Lysol into the air intake while running the fan on high to kill the mold if the core is not leaking.
- websurfusa, Kirkland, WA, US
The heater started leaking thru the vents. Was not sure what it was until it got so bad that steam started coming up into the cab. It leaves a coating on the inside windshield that clouds up when it gets cooler. This is difficult to get off. I finally just by passed the heater. Now I have to figure out how to replace the heater core esp since my dash is coming apart also.
- Ronald H., Abilene, US