Purchased a NEW truck, constant breakdowns, advice?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Lioness77, Nov 13, 2018.

  1. Lioness77

    Lioness77 Bobtail Member

    45
    64
    Mar 24, 2018
    0
    Alright, to keep this convo neutral on make and model, I am leaving that part out. But here is the story.

    I have been a company driver and decided to go the owner operator route. The decision was based on good finances, good preparation, and a good opportunity.

    I bought a new 2019 with an extended warranty. Within 10 hours it broke down at a rest stop, and had to be towed to the closest dealer, while I sat for over a week in a hotel waiting for them to fix the truck. During this time, I spoke to 2 of their ‘higher ups’ in the exec division, and VP division, who said they would reimburse for my expenses (I have this in writing). We had also noticed the rear of the truck had a lean to it, and that the frame looked twisted. One side is almost an inch higher than the other. Yes I have pics. We also brought that to their attention, and we were told it would ‘settle’. At this time, I had already brought up the idea of switching out to a new truck, or possibly cancelling the deal and get my money back, as I put down 30k in cash. During this week, I also lost a week of income from loads I was given, and had to cancel, because of the breakdown.

    Less than 2 months later, I crank it up and I get a Service DEF System light, and a call saying the truck would derate to 5mph writhin 4 hours, and to get it to a shop immediately. I had a load to pick up the next day. Next, we discovered the twist/lean in the rear of the frame had gotten worse.

    So they sent a tow truck again (both tows at their expense). Now it has been sitting at their shop all weekend into today, and I am losing about $700-800 a day in income again, and they are telling me they think the cross member of the frame is tweaking on the frame because of some misdrilled holes. They have not even addressed the DEF system yet.

    So here I am sitting, having to tell dispatch that I can NOT take their loads (for the second time in 2 months) because my new truck is having some serious issues.

    I have asked for a replacement truck, or my money back. They have 30k of my money, but I have not made a payment yet. I am losing some serious cash waiting around. This is a HUGE well known company, and they would lose nothing by getting me a new truck.

    I am looking into getting a civil litigation attorney. I want a new truck, or my money back. Why should I settle for a truck that is having so many issues, and now the frame issue????

    Suggestions or thoughts please.
     
    Vic Firth and x1Heavy Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

    27,626
    144,550
    Jul 7, 2015
    Canuckistan
    0
    Personally I believe you're going to have to work out the bugs on any new truck. What floors me is the wait time to get it looked at. To me, service sells and I wouldn't touch anything from any dealer that can't support what they sell.
     
  4. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,768
    20,578
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    That’s crazy. You should not be having frame problems. Never even heard of that.

    The other problems sound like bad luck but they should be getting you fixed way quicker.

    What’s your salesman say? What’s his boss say about getting you a new one? I doubt they will do it but should put you in a rental at their cost while it’s being made right.

    I respect not naming names but you may have to put them on blast to up their care of the situation to where your at.
     
  5. Lioness77

    Lioness77 Bobtail Member

    45
    64
    Mar 24, 2018
    0
    The salesman is out of it now. They won’t even reply, and that is why we are talking to the V.P. of National Accounts and the V.P. of the Region. They are extremely political. But they say they are trying. They communicate when it’s convenient for them.

    I am currently getting ready to involve an attorney.

    Why should I have to continue to risk my life investment further???

    The first breakdown was due to a cracked fuel filter housing. This time the DEF system. Less than 10k miles on it of driving. Now they are telling me something about misdrilled holes with the cross member??

    I am only not revealing the name of the manufacturer because I don’t want the negative replies. I am looking for some real help and suggestions.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    x1Heavy Thanks this.
  6. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,000
    60,362
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    Most of my thoughts involve issues with your situation that are now irretrievable.

    From what I’ve seen recently, large manufacturers and dealerships care little to none about the solo o/o.

    Forget the ‘lost revenue ‘ equation, you need to act quickly on a replacement truck before things get worse.
     
    RedForeman, Badmon, bzinger and 3 others Thank this.
  7. GreenPete359

    GreenPete359 Road Train Member

    2,137
    5,062
    Oct 21, 2017
    Driving my recliner
    0
    That sucks man, you buy new for a reason. As for getting a new whip, not gonna happen, you bought the one you bought. This isn’t Sears, and there is not 30 day money back guarantee. I would suggest looking up lemon laws in the state you purchased the truck. Even speaking with an attorney about your options. If by chance you are leased up with a sizable carrier who buys a lot of the same make of truck you can get them involved. They will have more weight. Nobody cares about the guy with one truck, But they care about the guy who buy 200,300,400 truck per year
     
  8. Lioness77

    Lioness77 Bobtail Member

    45
    64
    Mar 24, 2018
    0
    Well, I’m a female, but thanks :)
    I figure lemon laws will help, but not sure how far I can go. I do understand the mentality of one truck and one person. But they are making promises and I am going to hold them to it. It’s been less than 60 days, so I want to push as hard as I can.

    I bought this truck straight out and not through a lease. So I am the owner. I will push a little harder.
     
    x1Heavy and Oxbow Thank this.
  9. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,000
    60,362
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    Honestly the manufacturer make/model is irrelevant.

    Sales manager will hide every time you show up. His sales target is already reached.

    Branch manager will say “regional is trying to help “ - then run away.

    You’ll have to go way up the chain, probably threatening legal action.

    Bottom line, if the defects are present, you need a functioning product for which you have agreed to pay for.
     
    Feedman, bzinger, Ruthless and 2 others Thank this.
  10. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,000
    60,362
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    If you put 30k down, you are personally financing the remainder. The finance company is a major shareholder in the truck. You do not own it - and the finance company doesn’t care either, they’ll want their payments.

    Push real hard. And quick.

    I’m assuming you’ve double read the fine print in the warranty info and finance agreements and are already well armed as to your options?
     
    Lioness77 Thanks this.
  11. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

    13,439
    34,299
    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
    0
    i am not aware if lemon laws apply to big rigs.

    if so, and from what i recall, it has to be the same problem, more than one time, not a different problem each time.

    consult an attorney familiar with lemon laws.

    also, i too cannot fathom how a frame is bent right out of the box.
     
    x1Heavy and Lioness77 Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.