NHTSA Complaint #720225 — 2000 FREIGHTLINER FLD120

THE LEFT REAR FRAME RAIL IS TWISTED, BENT AND SAGGING CONFIRMED BY 4 FRAME SHOP INSPECTIONS CAUSING THE LARGE TRUCK TO HANDLE WITH DIFFICULTY AND SAFELY. THIS IS CAUSING UNNECESSARY RAPID TIRE WEAR AND IS A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC ON THE ROAD. FRIEGHTLINER HAS SAID BY THEIR OWN DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER, PAUL NEWMAN, THAT THIS IS A NON-ISSUE AND AFTER ALL THE PROFESSIONALS REPORTS HE, THE DSM, SAID HE SEES NOTHING WRONG AND WILL THEREFORE NOT REPLACE THE TRUCK WITH A BUY-BACK NOR WILL HE AUTHORIZE ANY REPAIRS. HE, PAUL NEWMAN, OFFERED US 2 NEW STEER TIRES AND ANOTHER (4TH) ALIGNMENT JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THIS VEHICLE HAS TO BE WRESTLED TO DRIVE BETWEEN THE LINES ON THE ROAD WHEN IT IS PULLING A LOAD AND THEREFORE IS A DANGER TO NOT ONLY THE DRIVER BUT THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE TIRES SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING UNTIL AT LEAST 100,000 MILES IF THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. PAUL NEWMAN FURTHER DIDN'T SEE THE IRREGULAR TIRE EASE ON THE DRIVE TIRES WHICH OF COURSE WAS NO SURPRISE.