Lack of response from Kioti on loader repair program

[kyspartan]

Hey DAP maybe you need to ask your friendly neighborhood Kubota dealer what is Kubota's company line on warranty trucking? Like Rick said all companies put the trucking on the customer's back with warranties. If you're lucky enough that your dealer trucks it for free,you better make sure he stays in business.

had recall on a bota m9000 that my brother didn't even know about. the dealer just called one day said they needed to change the gears in the rear end. they set a date and just came and got it and brought it back a couple days later no charge and this is a dealer that would like to charge you for breathing air while on his lot

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm here, but I've learned when to just keep my mouth shut. It seems you all are doing a fine job.

Way to go Neil. I think we should award him brownie points not only for forum courtesy but also for working on his sense of humor.

 

[Dodgeram]

Neil,
At no time did I directly compare my scenario with the Kioti loader situation. The floorboard situation, in my opinion, is a safety hazzard.
All I want to know is, how long should an end user expect the manufacturer to warrant a defect?
From a business standpoint, I certainly don't want this to carry on for years. From an end user's standpoint, they knew about the problem, I want it fixed when it breaks.
Have a nice day.
Tom

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Neil,
At no time did I directly compare my scenario with the Kioti loader situation.

You may not have spelled it out, but then exactly what was your intent by posting about it here?

All I want to know is, how long should an end user expect the manufacturer to warrant a defect?
From a business standpoint, I certainly don't want this to carry on for years. From an end user's standpoint, they knew about the problem, I want it fixed when it breaks.

Have you ever seen one of these things before? Its pretty sad that they used such a light plastic to begin with, thats true - short of cutting yourself on a plastic edge I sure can't see how it could be a safty hazard. The reason why there has not been an all out recall for these is because they'll be starting a new campain to go out and add a support kit to the underside of all the BX's. This will be applied to even the ones with the upgraded fender, even though you've not read of any of them breaking. Apparently they reconize that this is whats required to fix this for a long term, and not a band-aid to the issue. We've all seen the support kit at the last big meeting we had, it should be shipping shortly.

So really they've looked at all the concerns that you have and addressed them. Those with broken fenders got new ones, the fix took about 4 months to ship. Instead of patching the problem and just swapping out the fenders they went the extra mile to come up with a fix that really works to keep this from being an issue for years to come.

 

[Dodgeram]

You may not have spelled it out, but then exactly what was your intent by posting about it here?

First, it was an example. Next time I will substitute "any color" for orange.
Secondly, I live a sheltered life, so I pretty much stay in the Kioti forum where I know a little about the product and only post when I have something constructive to say (negative or positive) or when I have a question concerning Kioti.

Thirdly- and the main point of the post-I ask for opinions on what everyone thought about how long a manufacturer should realistically warrant a known defect.

BTW, I think Kubota is handling the BX fix admirably.
Tom

 

[HODAK]

sometimes I am just amazed about what I read on TBN.....

Me too........

You just tend to disregard certain posts where you know what to expect............. What did momma say? If you don't have anything good to say............

Sometimes I need to be reminded also.

 

[Superduper]

They will not do this... they set the april 30th time frame so these repairs don't drag out for over a year..... they want to get these kits on as quickly as possible... if some people fall though the cracks because they bought it used and don't get a letter (which are coming) they will get a kit and Kioti will take care of them.

Now if someone says "no i don't want this kit" then it will be handled differently. What would truck mfg do if you said "no i don't want the new updated injectors for free" and then they suffer an engine failure do to an improper spray pattern washing down the side wall... Do you expect them to cover this? Now if you could prove you didn't know about it and did not knowingly reject the warranty then im sure it would be covered... If a Kioti customer of mine does not want the kit I will not install it... But they will sign something stating they don't...

sometimes I am just amazed about what I read on TBN.....

Sir, I respectfully disagree. Over the last 25 years, I have had many recalls, retrofits, and updates installed on my vehicles. The manufacturers have been very kind and send constant reminders. For many of them, I schedule appointments immediately. For others which I deem to be minor, I don't even bother until such time that I bring my vehicle in for other service. At that point, which has been as long as several years later, the vehicle was automatically updated (they always check for updates specific for that VIN when vehicle is brought in). In no case have I received a limitation on time under threat of no-coverage. While I certainly understand a manufacturers motivation and desire for wanting the retrofit issue over and resolved quickly, a 90 day deadline seems geared more towards manufacturers convenience than anything else.

The only relevance or parallel that I could draw from your truck mfg example is that Kioti might not want to repair future cracks or failures that may manifest as a consequence of say a customers refusal to install the retrofit. This is a seperate and completely different issue than what is described in the Kioti letter, which instead appear to describe the retrofit kit/installation as being not covered after april 30, 2006. If this is not their intention, then it is not articulated clearly.

As for Kioti taking care of anyone who was ignorant or whom "fell through the cracks," I applaud them if that is indeed the case. Again, the letter does not read this way.

 

[IslandTractor]

I have had many recalls, retrofits, and updates installed on my vehicles. The manufacturers have been very kind and send constant reminders. For many of them, I schedule appointments immediately. For others which I deem to be minor, I don't even bother until such time that I bring my vehicle in for other service.

It would seem reasonable given that Kioti specifically advised those of us with documented cracks to continue using our loaders as usual pending development of a repair program, that they should be a bit more liberal in their timing policy for having the repair kits installed. There are certainly KL120/KL130 owners with no current cracking problem for whom arranging to have their tractor delivered to the dealer just to install this kit prior to April 30 will be an significant burden. Why not just wait until the tractor needs to go in for some other reason over the next season. I agree one would not want to go on forever but if 11 months did not matter (time since Kioti was made aware of the problem before they issued the recall) they why, except for Kioti's convenience, does everything suddenly need to be coordinated over the next 90 days?

It would certainly be reasonable for Kioti to suggest having dealers or owners inspect the loaders carefully but I fail to see why someone planning to have their tractor to the dealership sometime later this coming season (after April 30) shouldn't just wait rather than make two trips.

 

[IslandTractor]

Do any of the dealers know if Kioti will allow a dealer to order the repair kits but permit the customer to install it? As others have noted, the kit is just a bolt on affair and it seems like someone who can change the oil should be able to install one. If they were a really innovative, responsive and customer focused company , they might even go so far as to post detailed instructions and a video on their website on how to do the installation.

 

[HODAK]

Do any of the dealers know if Kioti will allow a dealer to order the repair kits but permit the customer to install it? As others have noted, the kit is just a bolt on affair and it seems like someone who can change the oil should be able to install one. If they were a really innovative, responsive and customer focused company , they might even go so far as to post detailed instructions and a video on their website on how to do the installation.

Ummmm.....pick up the phone and call your dealer. They may handle it differently than another dealer due to your circumstances.