I agree, I think the problem is a lot of people bought them expecting to just put the key in and drive 250,000 miles cause "diesels are supposed to be known for their longevity." There may be a small handful who don't know much about cars, trucks, diesels or mechanics. They let things slip only because they don't have the background information or interest in learning, and then every problem becomes a bigger issue due to lack of information. This isn't the kind of vehicle that you can let things slip...
From what I've learned in the last 3 years, these Ecodiesels need a LOT of TLC and a watchful eye. If something looks, smells or feels suspicious, look into it, don't wait for it to blow up. Check it out asap... Keep an OBDII scanner handy cause these vehicles are all computer based now and any issue could leave you're stranded. Learn the truck, learn how to self-diagnose a problem. Understand what a regen is, understand how it works, when it works, what happens if you don't let the regen finish, what happens if regens get to 100%. some have no clue why their truck got to 100% and now they need dealer intervention and are all surprised. I've heard some say they've driven 50,000 miles and they're thinking they have had only 1 regen (cause they saw it on the evic), not realizing that the truck has been doing regens thousands of times unannounced...
I don't think this is the kind of truck you can just buy, drive and not have any understanding of how it works (you're just asking for trouble). These trucks require drivers who have some know-how and are willing to get their hands a little dirty and take good care of it. They are not a plug and pray truck... I hear so much bad stuff on here about these, and I hope mine will last, but who knows. I just hope i'm not driving a ticking time bomb... I'm hoping the GDE tune will at least give me a few more years until I can afford to trade it in for something newer.
