davidj54 wrote: If it failed during the warranty period they'll fix it. If it failed outside the warranty period (as I suspect yours has) they won't. Unless I'm reading wrong, you'll be footing the bill on this one. It really sucks too. Sorry about your troubles.
I understand Dometic is no longer replacing the cooling unit. However, when we bought our trailer it was already four years old. The fridge stopped working almost immediately. For a couple of years we used a household electric fridge, which I seriously was considering putting in to just replace the Dometic. Then we got a recall notice from Dometic. They replaced the entire cooling unit PLUS the electric heating element. If it should go out again, I will replace it with an electric household unit.
yes ours had the problem and replaced before the repair story happened. warrenty paid the bill.
chevman
chevman
2001 35 ft avalon alpenlite RK
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy
easyrider/reese airhitch
trailair center point suspension
JT Strong Arm Stabilizers
KSH 55 inbed fuel tank
Garmin 2720
scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
We have had Norcold fridges in our last 3 TTs, but on 2 of them, the Dometic A/Cs quit VERY prematurely (one on the dealer's lot during the walk-thru), and we had no problems getting them replaced under warranty, unless you want to consider having to haul the trailer to the dealer's, and go back and get it after it's fixed, a problem. We didn't have the A/C that failed during the walk-thru replaced on the spot because we wanted to use the trailer that weekend, and the dealer didn't have a Dometic Penguin (low profile) unit in stock, so I had to bring that trailer back for replacement, too, once they got the proper unit in stock.
2003 GMC Sierra Crew HD; 6.0L; Prodigy
2006 Thor Tundra 30RL-DSL; Reese Strait-Line & Dual-cam HP
2001 Honda Elite Scooter
Jim & Gayle Bryant
Murphy's Law: "Anything that CAN happen, WILL."
Bryant's Law: "31 years of RVing? Probably already HAS."
davidj54 wrote: If it failed during the warranty period they'll fix it. If it failed outside the warranty period (as I suspect yours has) they won't. Unless I'm reading wrong, you'll be footing the bill on this one. It really sucks too. Sorry about your troubles.
I understand Dometic is no longer replacing the cooling unit. However, when we bought our trailer it was already four years old. The fridge stopped working almost immediately. For a couple of years we used a household electric fridge, which I seriously was considering putting in to just replace the Dometic. Then we got a recall notice from Dometic. They replaced the entire cooling unit PLUS the electric heating element. If it should go out again, I will replace it with an electric household unit.
How long ago was it that this happened? Where did you have to call to get any satisfaction?
Some respondents have posted here that Dometic isn't replacing cooling units. I don't believe that's entirely correct. If a cooling unit fails within the warranty period it WILL be replaced. It's a warrantable item that is covered regardless of the recall. (BTW, I had the recall service performed about 2 mos ago. It does help me to sleep better at night).
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition
Dometics website says nothing about it having to be under warranty.
The information you entered indicated that your refrigerator is affected by the expansion of the Dometic recall, announced to NHTSA on April 11, 2008.
At no charge to you, Dometic's SBH Kit needs to be installed on your refrigerator. Your preferred RV service technician can perform the installation.
Use our service center locator for help finding an installer in your area that can perform the recall work. Searching by area code should yield the best results. Click here for the service center locator.
gnj1958 wrote: Dometics website says nothing about it having to be under warranty.
The information you entered indicated that your refrigerator is affected by the expansion of the Dometic recall, announced to NHTSA on April 11, 2008.
At no charge to you, Dometic's SBH Kit needs to be installed on your refrigerator. Your preferred RV service technician can perform the installation.
Use our service center locator for help finding an installer in your area that can perform the recall work. Searching by area code should yield the best results. Click here for the service center locator.
You are correct when it comes to the recall but the other posters are saying that if the refer is beyond it's 3-year warranty, the cooling unit will not be replaced if it goes South even if it's due to the purpose of the recall which is the electric heating element being of too high a wattage and overheating, causing a crack in the tubing of the cooling unit.
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2003 F150 King Ranch
2001 Dodge Van w/Wheelchair Ramp
1991 Palomino Mustang PUP
Eureka Timberline Tent
Yamaha IF2400isc
Yamaha EF3000iSEBC "Politically Incorrect And Proud Of It"
I think that a $1300 fridge should not fail in 3-1/2 years. It failed at the area where the recall is being done. Which in my mind is a faulty design and there for should be covered at least in part by Dometic. From what I have learned while researching this is that they have in the past replaced cooling units and entire refridge in the past....why then no longer???
saoesch wrote: I think that a $1300 fridge should not fail in 3-1/2 years. It failed at the area where the recall is being done. Which in my mind is a faulty design and there for should be covered at least in part by Dometic. From what I have learned while researching this is that they have in the past replaced cooling units and entire refridge in the past....why then no longer???
I agree...refrigerators are in a category called "durable goods", given that name because they are supposed to last a reasonable amount of time. 4-5 years is NOT reasonable in my opinion.
Shame on Dometic for a CYA band-aid approach. All they are doing is limiting damages when their faulty design/materials fail. (I wonder if this "faulty" component isn't imported from a country that has minimal quality control. Most likely, Dometic was lured by the "savings" of "cheap labor" and is now being "stung" by the "low quality". If so, I don't feel sorry for them at all.)
Why don't they replace the cooling units any longer? Because they realize that it IS a defective design/poor quality materials issue and that they would have to replace ALL of them, and they don't want to cough up the $$$. They are doing the minimum they can get away with. I guess we can't blame them for that.
However, IF my Dometic refer fails within the next 2 years or so (it's one year out of warranty now) it WILL NOT be replaced with a Dometic unit. I will opt for a residential refer, which I can probably get for under $500. With the $1000 I'd save over a propane/120V Dometic/Norcold unit, I can buy a couple of batteries and an inverter to run it during the rare times we're not connected to shore power.
I would second the recommendation that you politely ask Dometic to look into your situation and maybe, if you can reach the right people, they may help you out with the repairs. I would think the best you'll get is they'll pay for the part and you pay for labor. But if they won't help in any way, I'd vote with my wallet and NOT buy a Dometic replacement.
Good Luck,
~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22 (Class A)
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (12-Angel), 1 girl (7), 2 boys (8 & 5), 1 plump Golden Retriever.
2001 Honda Odyssey with Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
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