While performing a lift of a 520-pound load in a boom position rated for 575 pounds, the crane abruptly failed due to a faulty weld and dropped the load approximately 18 inches, causing minor injuries to the crane operator. There was no sign of trouble before the failure. The failed weld was a circumferential weld between the support pillar and the bearing mount. This was concealed inside the base of the boom assembly and this part arrived already assembled. The skirt that extends from the boom assembly over the bearing mount caught on the pillar and stopped the boom from falling off the pillar entirely. The weld had a full bead but no penetration around most of its circumference. After painting this would have been hard to inspect visually even with the appropriate portion disassembled. Other reviews posted on Amazon.com, where the crane was purchased, show the same kind of deficient welding. The problem was reported to Amazon through a customer service representative and through their safety issue reporting system but they have made no acknowledgement of the issue and have not asked for more details. The broken component has since been repaired and returned to service but photographs of the failure are available.
NHTSA complaint #11539396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annual inspection of the Progress Manufacturing Equal-I-Zer (model number 90-02-1200) steel head assembly revealed cracks in the welds holding the two steel plates that support the spring bar sockets and the welds that attach the head component (part with the hitch ball) to the U-shaped bracket that attaches/bolts the head to the shank that is inserted into the receiver. I have pictures of the cracked welds. The assembly has been sent to a certified welding/fabrication shop for repair at my expense. If the welds failed, two scenarios are very likely: 1. The spring bars will separate from the head assembly, releasing two 20+ pound steel rods in an uncontrolled and unconstrained manner onto the pavement. Of the tow vehicle, trailer, or another car are struck by one or both rods, the result could be severe damage and/or injury. 2. If the welds holding the head assembly containing the hitch ball to the U-shaped bracket that is bolted to the shank failed, the entire hitch assembly and trailer would detach from the tow vehicle; the safety chains would provide the only mechanism to keep the trailer from detaching completely from the tow vehicle. Severe damage could occur to the trailer and tow vehicle. If the safety chains fail, the trailer would careen uncontrolled into other drivers on the road. A master welder and certified weld inspector looked at the pictures of the cracked welds and stated that "Lack of weld metal fusion, likely it was there when you bought it." I posted the pictures of my cracked welds on three FaceBook groups focused on RVing with approximately 300,000 members. Several members stated they, too, found cracks in their welds. The manufacturer was sent the pictures. They refused to stand behind their product and told me to buy a replacement head for $275.00. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. There may be a systemic welding problem at the PM factory.
NHTSA complaint #11514782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE OEM TRAILER HITCH HAD PREMATURE CRACKS NEAR THE WELDING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE OEM TRAILER HITCH WITH A NEW HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LABEL THAT INDICATED THE TOWING CAPACITY MAY BE INCORRECT. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10865194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY DUE TO LIVING IN A HOT CLIMATE STATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAPORATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE,D BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10785984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINCH ASSEMBLY CABLE HAD FRACTURED AND AS A RESULT, WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 11/16/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CABLE BROKE AT THE END WHERE IT CONNECTED TO THE DEVICE THAT SUPPORTED THE SPARE CABLE. UPDATED 12/16/11
NHTSA complaint #10432660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A AEVIT BY EMC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS EQUIPMENT WAS USED TO HELP WITH STEERING, BRAKING, AND ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT WAS JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AEVIT SYSTEM MADE A HARD LEFT AND SENT THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO GET SEVEN STITCHES ON HIS THE RIGHT SIDE OF FOREHEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE WEATHER THAT DAY WAS COLD, BUT CLEAR. HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 - 30 MPH. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY $7,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT HE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER HAD THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10184647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORD F-350 POWER STROKE DIESEL 2004 HAS STALLED TWICE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. LOOSE POWER STEER AND BRAKES ON HIGHWAY. HAVE REPLACED TURBO CHARGER AND WORKED ON FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. TURBO CHARGER IS NOW MAKING THE SAME NOISE AGAIN. MILEAGE WHEN WORKED ON 2994/4437/18081.
NHTSA complaint #10153744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH,MY NEW 2004 F350 6.0 SUPER DUTY DIESEL TRANSMISSION LOCKED UO,. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL AT A INTERSECTION.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED .TWO MOUTHS LATER, VEHICLE STARTED STALLING WHILE AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES.VEHICLE AGAIN TAKING TO DEALER WERE NEW CODES FROM FORD WHERE PUT IN COMPUTER. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER AGAIN MECHANIC NOT AVAILABLE. VEHICLE RETURNED WITH NO DIAGNOSTICS. THEN THREE DAYS LATER VEHICLE BACK AT DEALERSHIP FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. WITH ONLY 12,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF FAMILY AND OTHERS WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10100271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT SHE WILL BE REAR ENDED IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK THE CD WOULD NOT EJECT DUE TO ERROR. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10097837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE JACK HANDLE IS ON TOP OF THE RADIATOR WHICH GETS ABOUT 192 DEGREES HOT. UPON PICKING THE JACK HANDLE UP CONSUMER BURNED HIS HANDS. THERE IS NO INSULATION TO COVER THE JACK HANDLE FROM THE HEAT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10090046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LTR FM ANDRIJ ANDREITCHUX(NJ) OWNER OF A FORD F350 TRUCK UNABLE TO CONNECT WITH 33 FOOT RV TRAILER HOOK SYSTEM CAUSES TRUCK TO LOCK-UP DEFECT REPLY TO THE ELIZABETH, NJ DISTRICT OFC. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *NM CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING OF ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, ACCELERATION, AND FUEL SYSTEM ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10081705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TRAVELING SMELLED SMOKE. SOON AFTER THAT AIR CONDITIONING FAN STOPPED BLOWING . CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED SIGNS OF A FIRE MELTIG THE WIRING HARNESS. FUSE PANEL AND BLOWER SWITCH HEATER WERE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #894518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS CONSUMER WAS STRAIGHTENING UP HIS 2000 SNOWBIRD TRAILER, THE 20K 5TH WHEEL HITCH RELEASED THE TRAILER WITH THE TRAILER FALLING ON THE BACK OF THE PICKUP, A REESE REP STATED THAT THE HITCH WAS IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION AND IS DENYING ANY OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS FAILURE, THIS NEWLY DESIGNED HITCH OPERATES SO A PERSON JUST HAS TO MOVE THE LATCH OUT OF THE WAY FOR HOOKUP, THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE ROTORS REPEATEDLY WARP. FIRST TIME, DEALER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT 12937 MILES. SECOND TIME, DEALER CLAIMS THAT WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED AFTER 12000 MILES. AIR CONDITIONER TOTALLY FAILED LAST SUMMER--SO FAR WORKING OK.
NHTSA complaint #745730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE UNDERCARRIAGE SPARE TIRE CARRIER FELL OFF WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE BUT DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED UNTIL PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT HIT THE FUEL TANK, AND LUCKILY DID NOT PUNCTURE IT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #782525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.