FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON OCTOBER 28, 2011. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
73,500 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS C2, FCCC B2 CHASSIS, S2 CHASSIS, AND MC CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BEGINNING JANUARY 19, 2005 THROUGH APRIL 16, 2010. THE STOP LAMPS MAY BE INTERMITTENT DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATIONS.
Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DTNA DEALERSHIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
8,971 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 24,650 SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL BUSES, MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2004 THROUGH AUGUST 18, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 CERTIFIED MBE900 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED BY DETROIT DIESEL BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2004, AND JULY 31, 2006. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.
Remedy: DETROIT DIESEL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED WITH MORE ROBUST LINES AND VIBRATION DAMPERS FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED DETROIT DIESEL DISTRIBUTORSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL 1-313-592-3708 OR DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
24,650 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 28,764 MY 2001 THROUGH 2008 FCCC B2 AND FS65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, FCCC FB65 CONVENTIONAL BUSES, AND STERLING ACTERRA, FREIGHTLINER FLN, AND BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS, BUILT FROM JANUARY 26, 2000, THROUGH MARCH 24, 2008, MANUFACTURED WITH ARVINMERITOR OR AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY 6,000 THROUGH 8,000 POUND FRONT AXLES UTILIZING A FOUR PIECE SPINDLE-NUT SET. THESE AXLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH A THIN SPINDLE NUT WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCORRECT END PLAY, CONE SPIN, EXCESSIVE HEAT, DEGRADATION OF LUBRICATION, WEAR OF THE SPINDLE NUT AND BEARING JOURNAL, OIL CONTAMINATION WITH METAL SHAVINGS, AND PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE.
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 8, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
28,764 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.
Remedy: HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
62,000 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.
Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
75,000 vehicles affected
STEERING
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FONTAINE MODIFICATION RIGHT HAND STEERING CONTROL AND EQUIPPED WITH SIT DOWN DUAL DRIVE CONVERSIONS, THE PINCH BOLT THAT SECURES THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT CONNECTION TO THE LH MITER BOX MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED CAUSING THE BOLTS TO FALL OUT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLT AT THE CONNECTION AND BOLTS ON THE STEERING CROSS SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
198 vehicles affected
PARKING BRAKE
CERTAIN 2004 AND 2005 THOMAS BUILT C2 SCHOOL BUSES AND FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 2004 AND MARCH 2005. THE ANCHOR/PIVOT BOLT SUPPLIED WITH THE PARK BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD FATIGUE FRACTURE PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN THE PARK BRAKE FAILING TO APPLY.
Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE ANCHOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
3,850 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
CERTAIN 2005 THOMAS BUILT FS-65 AND C-2 SCHOOL BUSES AND 2005 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, AND M2 BUSINESS CLASS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND JULY 8, 2005. THE SPINDLES IN THE REAR AXLE HOUSING WERE OVERHEATED DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS. INCORRECTLY HEAT TREATED SPINDLES COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE SPINDLE.
Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT FOR THE HEAT TREAT DATE CODE ON THE END OF THE REAR SPINDLES AND REPLACE THE AXLE HOUSING IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER
1,100 vehicles affected
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FAN WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 2006 BUT EVERY YEAR I HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR AND SOONER IF I RUN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER ON HI I HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY MONTH OR SO.THE GROUND WIRE GETS HOT AND THE MOTOR GOES BAD.A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND A NEW MODEL OF HEATER BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED.BECAUSE THE FRENCH MADE MODEL DON'T LAST VERY LONG AT ALL. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN 2006 BUT EVERY YEAR I HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR AND SOONER IF I RUN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER ON HI I HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY MONTH OR SO.THE GROUND WIRE GETS HOT AND THE MOTOR GOES BAD.A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND A NEW MODEL OF HEATER BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED.BECAUSE THE FRENCH MADE MODEL DON'T LAST VERY LONG AT ALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED ACROSS THE ROAD CRASHING INTO THE SIDE OF A BRICK HOUSE CAUSING MODERATE DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FRONT AXLE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V137000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE IDENTICAL FAILURE REOCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/26/11*LJ UPDATED 04/18/11
Crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE REAR BRAKES DRAGGING. THERE WAS NO REAR BRAKING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS SNENSOR DETACHED FROM THE METAL HOLDER, WHICH OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE ABS SENSOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,300. UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/07/10*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE REAR BRAKES DRAGGING. THERE WAS NO REAR BRAKING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS SNENSOR DETACHED FROM THE METAL HOLDER, WHICH OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE ABS SENSOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,300. UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/07/10*JB
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES BROKE, CAUSING A BREAKDOWN, TOW AND REPAIR. LOSS OF FUEL ALSO. LINES WERE REPLACED AT AUTHORIZED DEALER WITH WHAT WAS AVAILABLE. THIS BREAKDOWN NOT INCLUDING FUEL LOSS RESULTED IN A LOST DAY AND $700 COSTS. 3 MONTHS LATER, WE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE THE LINES AGAIN. THE NOTICE SAYS WE COULD QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT WHEN I CALLED DETROIT DIESEL, THEY SAID NO. SEEMS THAT DEFECTIVE LINES WERE THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME FRAME. *TR
PARKING AIR BRAKE VALVE HAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM INNER (PLASTIC) DASH MOUNT RENDERING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE THE BRAKE. THIS COULD CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY IF THE PARKING BRAKE CANNOT BE ENGAGED. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS STERLING MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS PER THE INTERNET. REPLACEMENT INNER DASH PLUS LABOR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND PROVIDES NO GUARANTY IT WON'T BREAK AGAIN. THIS IS POOR DESIGN USING INADEQUATE MATERIAL IN A HIGH STRESS AREA. (VIN ENTRY BLOCK WILL NOT ACCEPT MY VIN EVEN THOUGH IT IS CORRECT). *TR
PARKING AIR BRAKE VALVE HAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM INNER (PLASTIC) DASH MOUNT RENDERING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE THE BRAKE. THIS COULD CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY IF THE PARKING BRAKE CANNOT BE ENGAGED. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS STERLING MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS PER THE INTERNET. REPLACEMENT INNER DASH PLUS LABOR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND PROVIDES NO GUARANTY IT WON'T BREAK AGAIN. THIS IS POOR DESIGN USING INADEQUATE MATERIAL IN A HIGH STRESS AREA. (VIN ENTRY BLOCK WILL NOT ACCEPT MY VIN EVEN THOUGH IT IS CORRECT). *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY BURST WITHOUT WARNING AND BEGAN TO SPRAY DIESEL FUEL ONTO THE VEHICLE AND THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE FUEL LINES WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A NHTSA RECALL, #05V469000 REMEDY REPAIR TO THE ENGINE BY EMC RECALIBRATION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL LIFT PUMP WAS PERFORMED WHICH PERTAINED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER AN ADDITIONAL REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.