Freightliner Steering Gear Recall

[Stan & BJ]

I'll try to make this incredible story brief. In October 2010 I received from Daimler Trucks a recall notice for ZF Lenksysteme 8018 Steering Gears, Recall # FL509A-C, NHTSA # 07V-343, for my 2004 Winnebago Vectra 40QD. I gave a copy to Tom Johnson Camping Center in Marion, NC when I took it there for various maintenance and repairs in Janaury, 2011 and had this recall work added to the work order.

I received a phone call from Tom Johnson today. They consulted Freightliner for the recall specifications, ordered the specified complete new steering box, and installed it. In submitting their claim, Tom Johnson was advised by Freightliner that Freigtliner would not pay Tom Johnson anything because my Vectra has over 15,000 miles. (It has a little over 30,000 miles.) This apparently is addressed on page 4 of a 5 page document regarding this recall provided to Tom Johnson. (Not addressed in my one-page recall letter.) Tom Johnson has paid Freightliner for the steering box (their cost $700 and retail $1,000). If Tom Johnson removes the new steering box from my coach, Freightliner says they will not take it back.

If my 6 year old coach still had under 15,000 miles, Freightliner would pay for a new steering box. Since it has over 15,000 miles, they will pay nothing. From a safety and probability standpoint, this makes no sense. Apparently when it turned over 15,000 miles, the problem resolved itself. Or Freightliner's thinking perhaps is that if the "possible vehicle crash" referred to in the recall letter hasn't occured in the first 15,000 miles, it wasn't going to occur. In any regard, it's crazy!

Apparently there were several phone calls among Tom Johnson management and Freightliner management yesterday. Tom Johnson has offered me two options: 1) They remove the new steering box and re-install the old one. No charge to me. 2) They leave the new one in, and I pay them their $700 dealer cost. No charge for the five hours of labor to date.

Any thoughts, ideas, comments, similar experiences and/or advice from anyone out there?

Thanks, Stan

[Dadeaux]

I would do the 700 dollar deal if not you will have constant worry.

[bachler]

As I posted in a prior post Our Freightliner Steering sector went bad.. Freight liner wanted near $3500.00 to repair it. I took it to fosters Frame and Wheel in Seattle They done the complete job Including a RED TOP rebuilt sector for Less then $1000. If it leaks oil or has any play or wobble .. I say GET"ER DONE.

[bdpreece]

How well will you sleep the night before you head out down some steep two lane road off a very high mountain? At this point what's done is done. Pay for it. If it really irks you then file in small claims court against Freightliner for the $700.

[Harry B]

The reasoning behind the 15000 miles was that any units with the problem steering units would fail before 15000 miles. I had 17000 miles at the time of the recall and it has been fine.
I am sure Freightliner knows what it is doing as it would open itself up to significant lawsuits should failures occur afterwards despite written assurances that it wouldn't.

However piece of mind on your part might be worth getting a new unit

[wagonmaster2]

I'd think Tom Johnson would rather forgo the $700 and leave the new box in place rather than spend another 5 hours labor removing it. Surely they'd split the $700 with you and save all that labor, a win win situation for both of you.
Just a thought.

Wagonmaster2

[SteveLevin]

Given that they are forgoing the labor... I think it's a pretty fair deal. Me, I'd feel better knowing the better part was installed.

Steve

[okie-dokie]

Leave the new steering box on, pay the 700.00 and sing a tune while traveling down the road.

[hondo122]

Personally I think Tom Johnson hasn't a leg to stand on, you as directed by the recall letter delivered your RV to the service center. At that point the dealer should have read his instructions from Freightliner and determined that your rig was outside the parameters for the recall and told you that. End of story. You have no responsibility, to pay for the work or let them remove the new one from your rig.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondo122 Personally I think Tom Johnson hasn't a leg to stand on, you as directed by the recall letter delivered your RV to the service center. At that point the dealer should have read his instructions from Freightliner and determined that your rig was outside the parameters for the recall and told you that. End of story. You have no responsibility, to pay for the work or let them remove the new one from your rig.

While I mostly agree with this assessment, personally, for peace of mind and to maintain good relations with the dealer/service center, I would accept the deal to split the costs.

[Vintage]

What would you really want if the dealer said "Hey we made a mistake, your steering box did not fail in the time allowed so we need to remove the new steering box and put your old one back on, no charge to you"

The guy is already out the labor, at least pay him for the new box.