Warranty Program Update
April 09, 2024
Ref: Alcoa® Wheels Special Warranty Program

Special

for ULA18xxx wheels.

To provide the best support to our fleet and owner operator customers, Alcoa® Wheels is
establishing the following Special Program for
wheel part family ULA18xxx.
For each ULA18xxx wheel that is returned to Howmet and that shows an open-end rim flange
condition, two wheels of the same or equivalent
part number will be sent as warranty
return. This action is limited only to cases in which warranty requests are filed directly with
Alcoa® Wheels in line with Exhibit A and only for wheels with part family ULA18xxx that
are exhibiting an open-end rim flange condition.
Warranty claims for any other Alcoa Wheels part family or for part family ULA18xxx with a
different warranty condition are not eligible for this Special Program and will be treated in
accordance with our Standard Limited Warranty Terms enclosed as part of Exhibit B for your
ready reference.
To submit a warranty request directly with Alcoa® Wheels, please access the link
https://www.alcoawheels.com/north-america/en/warranty-claim-submissions/ or call at the
number (800) 242-9898
if you have additional questions. You may also
reach out to your Alcoa Wheels Territory Manager contact or Field Service contact to submit
your warranty claim. Please refer Exhibit A for a detailed description on our warranty claim
process.
We appreciate your continued business as we reinforce our commitment to valued products,
services, and exceptional customer service.

Thanking You,

Howmet Wheel Systems

Howmet Wheel Systems
www.alcoawheels.com

|

1616 Harvard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105

Internal Use

|

(800) 242-9898

EXHIBIT A
Howmet Wheel-for-Wheel Warranty System
Updated 4/09/2024
Procedures for the system
1.
Call 1-800-242Department
2.

A representative will ask you the following questions:
A.
Dealer Code
B.
Part number of the wheel
C.
Date of manufacture
D.
Manufacture Country of origin
E.
Type of complaint (examples: bolt hole crack, hand hole crack, valve hole crack, bolt
hole to hand hole crack, rim flange crack, etc.)
F.
Name and contact information for end-user/fleet
G.
Make, model and year of vehicle
H.
Wheel position on vehicle (Steer, Outer Dual, Inner Dual)

3.

A return authorization number and shipping instructions will be given to you. Howmet requires
a RGA number before shipping. Howmet will pay for the freight charges ONLY if the shipping
instructions are followed. If shipping 4 or less, the wheel(s) MUST be put into a box with the
RGA (Return Goods Authorization #) number on the outside of the box and returned to the
Wheel Service Center for inspection of the specific type of complaint. The Wheel Service Center
will determine if the wheel is warrantable.
Howmet C/O TDI
3340 Gilchrist Rd.
Mogadore, OH 44260
330-835-6011

4.

Once we receive the wheel via FedEx Ground (741013207), we get the claim number (RGA) that
was assigned to wheel off the package or paperwork.
A.
4 or less wheels FedEx Ground (741013207)
B.
5 or more Old Dominion Freight Lines
3rd Party Billing Information:
Howmet (Mogadore)
c/o CT Logistics Team
P.O. Box 30382
Cleveland, OH 44130

5.

Wheel is assigned a receiving number for traceability and the wheel is inspected.

6.

With RGA sheet we confirm
any discrepancies on the sheet.
A.
We look for mode of failure, check P/N and date code and record all pertinent
information (e.g., heat number, die code and manufacture country of origin.
Howmet Wheel Systems
www.alcoawheels.com

|

1616 Harvard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105

Internal Use

|

(800) 242-9898

7.

All records are electronically stored.

8.

We create order number to send the customer new wheel(s). With shipping label there will be an
RGA attached to the box so the customer can track the claim.
* If the wheel(s) is warrantable, the Wheel Returns Department will send a replacement wheel(s)
back to the address given. Howmet will pay the associated freight and the replacement wheel(s)
will be shipped. When a replacement wheel is not available, the Wheel Returns Department will
contact you about a substitute part or to discuss a time frame for shipping the requested
replacement part number.
* If returned wheel(s) is found not to comply with Howmet Warranty Guidelines, Howmet will
notify the customer and will scrap the wheel(s) unless customer wants the wheel(s) back and will
pay for all freight incurred.
* This system is designed to have a replacement wheel(s) back to you within a two-week period,
but this return window is not guaranteed. This requires the dealer to follow shipping instructions
of the Wheel Returns Department. An example of timeline:
1. Customer calls Wheel Returns Department, is given shipping instructions, and ships wheel(s)
or (billed 3rd party shipper).
2. Wheel(s) is received at Wheel Returns Department (1-5 days later), inspected (0-1 day), and
replacement wheel(s) is sent back (5-7 days shipping).
3. In most cases, this procedure would take 3 to 11 working days, using FedEx or third-party
billing.

Howmet Wheel Systems
www.alcoawheels.com

|

1616 Harvard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105

Internal Use

|

(800) 242-9898

EXHIBIT B:
LIMITED WARRANTY FOR ALCOA WHEELS (Rev. April 2020)
This limited warranty applies to new Alcoa Wheels, including forged aluminum wheels for medium
duty and heavy-duty trucks, truck trailers, bus, RV or motorhome wheels ("Wheels") and the surface or
rim flange treatments applied to the Wheels. "Transit Wheels" means Wheels used on transit vehicles,
such as buses and vans, whose primary purpose is to transport people. The warranties set forth in this
document apply to all Alcoa Wheels manufactured by Howmet (Seller) and sold by Seller or its
authorized distributor to an original purchaser of the Wheel or the end user of the Wheel.
Seller warrants that the Wheel is free from defects in material and workmanship for the applicable time
period set forth below, provided that Seller does not warrant against and does not provide remedies for
immaterial cosmetic defects such as minor discoloration, buffing marks, or nicks:
a. Except as stated in (b) of this section, Wheels are warranted for 60 months from the date of
manufacture as shown on the Wheel.
b. Transit Wheels and RV and motorhome Wheels are warranted for 120 months from the date of
manufacture as shown on the Wheel.
Seller agrees, without charge, to repair or replace a Wheel that fails in normal use or service (see the
qualifications section below) because of defects in material and workmanship.
Seller warrants the Alcoa Dura-Bright® surface treatment against:
i.
filiform corrosion (worm or hair like lines underneath surface protective treatment and
emanating from damage to the surface treatment); and
ii.
blistering or peeling due to loss of adhesion of the surface treatment.
The Alcoa Dura-Bright surface treatment warranty is for the applicable period of time set forth below:
a. Except as stated in (b) of this section, Alcoa Dura-Bright surface treatment on Wheels is
warranted for 60 months from the date of manufacture as shown on the Wheel.
b. Alcoa Dura-Bright surface treatment for RV and motorhome Wheels is warranted for 120
months from the date of manufacture as shown on the Wheel.
Seller warrants the Alcoa Dura-Flange® rim flange treatment against wear which creates a sharp edge
that would require maintenance for 24 months from the date of manufacture as shown on the Wheel.
For 36 months from the date of manufacture as shown on the Wheel, Seller warrants the Alcoa® DuraBlack surface treatment against:
i.
filiform corrosion (worm or hair like lines underneath surface protective treatment and
emanating from damage to the surface treatment); and
ii.
blistering or peeling due to loss of adhesion of the surface treatment.
If the Alcoa Dura-Flange® rim flange treatment or the Alcoa Dura-Bright® or Alcoa Dura-Black
surface treatments fail in normal use or service (see the qualifications section below) to meet the
foregoing warranties on a Wheel, Seller agrees, without charge, to replace the Wheel with a like or
similar product.
return material authorization process.
Qualifications: Seller is not liable for, does not warrant, and will not repair or replace or make
adjustment, with respect to any Wheel or surface or rim flange treatment on such Wheel that has been
subjected to misuse, abuse, or improper modification, including any of the following:
a. Using a tire which is oversized according to standards recommended by the Tire and Rim
Association, Inc. or other recognized tire and rim agencies such as ETRTO (Europe);
b. Failure to install, use and maintain Wheels in strict conformity with all applicable laws,
regulations, codes and industry standards;
c. Loading the Wheel beyond the applicable maximum Wheel load as specified by Seller;
d. Inflating tires beyond the applicable maximum pressure as specified by Seller;
Howmet Wheel Systems
www.alcoawheels.com

|

1616 Harvard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105

Internal Use

|

(800) 242-9898

e.

nging the
original condition of the Wheel by alteration or by subjecting it to any processing or changes,
such as welding, straightening, painting, coating, installing a new tire valve, or heat treating;
f. Accidents or abnormal or severe operating conditions, including without limitation tire fires,
brake fires, severe brake system drags or seizures or running with a flat tire;
g. Failure to follow maintenance, instructions or warnings set forth in the Service Manual,
Technical Bulletins or other literature for Wheels. Recommended maintenance includes, without
limitation, using proper torque, periodic cleaning, polishing, replacing the valve, inspecting rim
flange wear and following maintenance procedures and periodically inspecting tires and system
components connected to the Wheel for damage and loose lug nuts;
h. Nicks, scratches and other surface blemishes resulting from neglect, road salt, harsh conditions,
improper maintenance, cleaning, road debris, curbing, accident or operation;
i. Rim flange wear (unless the rim flange has been treated with Dura-Flange®);
j. Using a spacer or adaptor of any kind;
k. Damaging the surface during tire mounting and installation due to the use of improper tools or
balancing with wheel weights; or
l. Damage due to cleaning with strong chemicals (acids or alkaline) or abrasives, such as abrasive
brushes, steel wool, or scouring pads; or
m. further use of a Wheel after discovery of a defect.
THERE IS NO WARRANTY THAT THE WHEEL SHALL BE MERCHANTABLE OR FIT FOR
ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NOR IS THERE ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, EXCEPT SUCH AS IS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN. SELLER SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR SPECIAL DAMAGES FOR
AVAILABLE TO ANY PARTY IS LIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE WHEEL
AS STATED IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO AND SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTY
WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO GOODS MANUFACTURED BY THIRD PARTY
SUPPLIERS, SUCH AS TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS AND VALVE FILTERS. ANY
WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH GOODS ARE LIMITED TO THOSE WHICH ARE
OFFERED BY SUCH SUPPLIERS AND ARE TRANSFERABLE.
This limited warranty should be used in conjunction with the Service Manual and the Wheels cleaning
guides online. The Service Manual contains important safety information and warnings. Failure to read
and understand that information may result in serious injury or death. If you do not have copies of the
Service Manual or cleaning guide, you may obtain copies free of charge at www.alcoawheels.com or by
contacting Seller at (800) 242-9898 or the address below:
Howmet Wheel Systems
1616 Harvard Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44105
1

The Alcoa trademarks are owned by Alcoa Corporation and used by Howmet Aerospace Inc. under
license from Alcoa Corporation.

Howmet Wheel Systems
www.alcoawheels.com

|

1616 Harvard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105

Internal Use

|

(800) 242-9898