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Jcounsman · 06-09-2023, 02:49 PM

New 2023 AI sprinter…went to the overnight lot and the sliding door would not operate. We had problems during the orientation and as soon as we tried to open it…no dice. I looked behind the door and the drive belt was hanging loose. The AS dealer determined it was a Mercedes problem. We lived about 5 hours from the dealer and had a dog in the kennel we needed to pick up the next day. So the dealer took the AI to the local Mercedes dealer for the fix. We stayed in a nearby hotel, no offer of compensation by the way. Mercedes dealer was helpful in that they got in first thing the next morning. Told us the could fix the next day due to getting the part. Due to the dog, we decided to drive back home. Next morning the wife decided to figure out bedding. Guess what…the bed would not go down. I l looked at the bed drivers and saw the electrical connect to the left side motor was disconnected. Note it worked perfectly at the dealer but evidently worked loose on the rough NJ and PA roads. Of course it was boxed in and I could not fit my hand in the opening to reconnect the fittings. So I proceeded to take apart the box held together by six screws. I noted the easily accessible right hand motor wires were held in place by a zip tie…no zip tie hold the left. Anyway, I got it fixed, added a zip tie to the right, and it worked. Now sitting at a local Mercedes dealer awaiting a part on Tuesday. Guess I’m glad we spent the extra five grand for the warranty. Doesn’t speak well for the customer care of the dealer or the quality control of Airstream. This is our third new Airstream. We traded in a 27 GT trailer basically because it was getting hard to manage. Hopefully better days ahead.

Boxite · 06-09-2023, 07:17 PM

Sooo….you are blaming Airstream and Dealer ….for a Mercedes problem…?

..or a loose connection that vibrated loose on the road you chose is a Dealer “customer care” deficiency…?

ITSNO60 · 06-09-2023, 07:41 PM

It probably won't be the last of the issues. I found the best approach to any RV is low expectations, then you won't be so disappointed when, not if, issues arise. Seems dealerships everywhere are backed up a bit, and parts are still in short supply, I heard new Sprinters only come with 1 key due to chip shortages and they won't order you a second one unless the van comes in on a tow truck.
I consider myself very fortunate that I can fix most things myself, it's less stressful than dealing with the dealer anyway. We are also very fortunate to have Sprinter of Tucson, they are very large and can usually get you in in a day or 2 and they are also very experienced and service all the Amazon and DHL Sprinters and they get it right the first time. If you're ever in the area and need chassis work I highly recommend them.

dznf0g · 06-09-2023, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxite

Sooo….you are blaming Airstream and Dealer ….for a Mercedes problem…?

..or a loose connection that vibrated loose on the road you chose is a Dealer “customer care” deficiency…?

Most certainly on both accounts. I don't know how it works in Benz world, but in my prior world, the upfitter (Airstream) is paid and responsible for a thorough mechanical pre delivery inspection (PDI in my world). The dealer is paid, and responsible for, a final inspection, cleaning, removing protective wraps, etc. Both parties are responsible for arranging/performing the appropriate repairs prior to final delivery.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Airstream Forums mobile app

Jcounsman · 06-10-2023, 05:23 AM

My main point in posting is to alert other AI owners of two potential issues.

First, I was surprised the local MB dealer stated they had “quite a few” problems with the electric doors on the 22 Sprinter…

Second, the zip tie lacking on the bed motor was likely an oversight at AS during assembly. Hopefully AS has the zip tie securing the wire as a policy, if not I hope they will…it’s a penny on a 250k package, and prevents probably an hour warranty charge if repaired.

Just for the record, the roads travels included US 1, I276, I76, US 322…all paved or supposed to be…

Shiny16 · 06-10-2023, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxite

Sooo….you are blaming Airstream and Dealer ….for a Mercedes problem…?

..or a loose connection that vibrated loose on the road you chose is a Dealer “customer care” deficiency…?

I kinda doubt the OP was referring to a gravel washboard road.

B17drvr · 06-10-2023, 09:11 AM

Had a sprinter for my business. It was always in the shop.
Get the extended warranty.

franklyfrank · 06-10-2023, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiny16

I kinda doubt the OP was referring to a gravel washboard road.

What if he was, during the life of that RV it will be driven all over the country and if the workmanship is that shoddy that it can only be used on perfectly smooth roadways it is nothing but an expensive piece of junk toy.

franklyfrank · 06-10-2023, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiny16

I kinda doubt the OP was referring to a gravel washboard road.

What if he was, during the life of that RV it will be driven all over the country and if the workmanship is that shoddy that it can only be used on perfectly smooth roadways it is nothing but an expensive piece of junk toy.

geirws · 06-10-2023, 09:44 AM

sounds like you guys have more trouble with your new airstreams than i have had with my 1977 agosy in the 25 yrs i've owned mine

PatLee · 06-10-2023, 11:20 AM

Oh, man.

djsula · 06-10-2023, 11:49 AM

Welcome to the new airstream service ethic. We have a 22 classic. 1st 3 months of ownership it never left the dealer. Door alignment,missing items etc. Ist season refrigerator problems. Could not get service on the road. Took it in on Oct 31 with a punch list of things to attend to. Ended up with minor exterior damage at dealership. When all said and done got it back 1st week of February. This year I already replaced a mixing valve. Warranty was a waste of money. It was cheaper to replace myself due to gas back and forth. No confidence in the dealer service department. We loved our 2015 flying cloud. Never a problem. Welcome to the new airstream.

Barretta2 · 06-10-2023, 05:18 PM

Chiming in for balance….and Hoping I don’t jinx my luck. First trip in 2023 28T Flying Cloud. Naples, Fl to Charlotte, to Rhode Island, across Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and now in Ohio…other than a big nail in a tire first day out, no issues. Had a 23’ FC before this, also no real problems.

TayaraTravel · 06-11-2023, 07:41 AM

>> It probably won't be the last of the issues. I found the best approach to any RV is low expectations

That is our advice also. We have a 2017 GT. First several months were very annoying, and the van sat at the dealer more than in our garage. There were a couple more failures during the next 2 years. The good news is that after the first year or two, the failures became more like owning a house; stuff happens, and you fix it. Most things work most of the time.

But one wonders whether the Airstream premium price differential is justified.

Boxite · 06-11-2023, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcounsman

My main point in posting is to alert other AI owners of two potential issues.

First, I was surprised the local MB dealer stated they had “quite a few” problems with the electric doors on the 22 Sprinter…

Second, the zip tie lacking on the bed motor was likely an oversight at AS during assembly. Hopefully AS has the zip tie securing the wire as a policy, if not I hope they will…it’s a penny on a 250k package, and prevents probably an hour warranty charge if repaired.

Just for the record, the roads travels included US 1, I276, I76, US 322…all paved or supposed to be…

In your opening-post… you admitted the electrical plug for the bed was out-of-sight and difficult to see/access. You did not return the unit to the dealer and ask for repair…You fixed it yourself…. YOu did not involve the dealer….but you criticize the dealers lack of “customer service”.

A failure of customer-service …would be something like you asking for service…and the dealership refusing to address the problem promptly or competently. You did not indicate that you even made the dealer aware of the problem (a problem they, frankly, were not to blame-for…(seeing as it was buried out of sight/access, and worked properly upon first acceptance but failed later)… You cannot blame the doctor for not curing you if you never went-in for the examination.

Re; the sliding Mercedes door: … If you bought a new house..and the dishwasher leaked water onto the kitchen floor…. Not caused by installation-error…but because of machine-assembly/part failure….. would you blame the house-builder..?? …or would you make a warranty claim on the washer mfr’r..?? In your original post you blamed the RV dealer for a problem created at an automobile assembly plant engineering problem.

Re: the hotel bill: You criticize the Dealership because ..unrelated to their business practices…you had a personal problem of your own making at a dog-kennel…. and because of that choice you needed a hotel room which you felt the dealership should have reimbursed you for. (I suspect you also feel un-compensated for your personal time.)

Doggie-care is not covered by any RV warranty I know of. And if I were a home-builder, I would not feel compelled to pay for your hiiring someone to wash your dishes because of an appliance failure covered under that items’ warranty.
Every warranty I’ve ever read specifically denies responsibility for loss of use, service, or personal time.

I’m just sayin’….. a little personal responsibility seems to be lacking…..not fair to criticise the RV dealer for the vehicle-mfr’r error …or for personal choices unrelated to the issue.

DaveG · 06-11-2023, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxite

In your opening-post… you ...................

........ I’m just sayin’….. .

Reasonable expectation on a brand new unit that all would have been checked out at the factory and again at the dealership before delivery.

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...lity-Guide.pdf

"Before any Airstream leaves the production line, our Quality Control team performs a series of detailed tests. They’ll look closely at the overall cosmetics of the trailer, make sure all systems are working properly, and test all interior and exterior parts."

just sayin'

franklyfrank · 06-11-2023, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barretta2

Chiming in for balance….and Hoping I don’t jinx my luck. First trip in 2023 28T Flying Cloud. Naples, Fl to Charlotte, to Rhode Island, across Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and now in Ohio…other than a big nail in a tire first day out, no issues. Had a 23’ FC before this, also no real problems.

Yours must have been built on a Wednesday or Thursday.
I believe this is more a reflection on the current generations work ethic and IQ.

propchef · 06-11-2023, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

I believe this is more a reflection on the current generations work ethic and IQ.

As a recently retired college teacher I can assure you this is not only incorrect but offensive. RVs have had issues and complaints for years. This is nothing new. The “kids today” mentality has no place here. Besides, if it *were* true we’d have the parents to blame for failing to instill a sense of responsibility.

Door: Mercedes issue
Bed: Missed by AS QC.

“Reasonable expectations” when it comes to RVs means to expect issues. Sure, I agree a brand new unit should be trouble-free, but even a cursory reading of any of the forums or social media groups show this is rarely the case regardless of brand.

Caveat emptor should always apply.

DaveG · 06-11-2023, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propchef

As a recently retired college teacher I can assure you this is not only incorrect but offensive. RVs have had issues and complaints for years. This is nothing new. The “kids today” mentality has no place here. Besides, if it *were* true we’d have the parents to blame for failing to instill a sense of responsibility.

Door: Mercedes issue
Bed: Missed by AS QC.

“Reasonable expectations” when it comes to RVs means to expect issues. Sure, I agree a brand new unit should be trouble-free, but even a cursory reading of any of the forums or social media groups show this is rarely the case regardless of brand.

Caveat emptor should always apply.

Buyer beware is a legitimate point but AS does a lot of hype about detail and finish very effectively which may lull the consumer into a false sense of confidence. We know our AI was not checked out even with the basics. We were very much rushed through the process of showing us how things worked. Sales was done with us the moment they got the money and service was like a different company down the street. Very disappointing to discover much of what you were told was just BS. My sympathy is with the buyer even though I agree with caveat emptor, etc. Hopefully there won't be a second time for us to have the bad experience.