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From the Engineer’s Desk

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Recent Recalls

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Mack Trucks is recalling (NHTSA #12V-434) certain 2007 – 2010 CHU and CXU vehicles equipped with daytime running lights and fog lights.

A short in the fog light circuit may cause the low beam headlight circuit to cut out.

Mack will notify owners, and install an additional wiring harness on the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall was to have begun on or before Nov. 15, 2012. Owners may contact Mack at 800 866 1177. Mack’s recall number is SC0365.

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Chrysler is recalling (12V-474) certain 2009 and 2010 Ram 1500 and Dodge Dakota trucks.

A rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to a lack of adhesive, and if that occurs the axle can lock up.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. The recall was to have begun in November, 2012. Owners may contact Chrysler at 800 247 9753. Their campaign number is M34.

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PACCAR is recalling (12V490) certain 2012 – 2013 Kenworth K270 and K370, and 2012 – 2013 Peterbilt 210 and 220 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of FMVSS 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."

The fog lamps may be illuminated while the high beam headlights are on. Additionally, the daytime running lights are not deactivated when the headlight control is switched to an "on" position. Vehicles that use a combination of both fog lights and headlights or daytime running lights may be too bright for oncoming traffic.

PACCAR will notify owners and dealers will change the wiring harness free of charge. The recall campaign was to have begun in November 2012. Owners may contact Kenworth at 425 828 5000 or Peterbilt at 940 591 4000. Kenworth’s recall campaign number is 12KWG. Peterbilt’s is 1012C.

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Kenworth is recalling (12V-530) certain 2012 and 2013 T270 and T370 medium duty trucks manufactured with Eaton Ultrashift transmissions. The air harness from the treadle valve on the affected vehicles was routed in a manner that can cause the air brake lines to be pinched between the cab and the electronic clutch actuator of the transmission. Significant movement between the cab and transmission can cause progressive wear and an eventual leak of the air lines.

Kenworth will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall was to have begun in November, 2012. Owners may contact Kenworth at 425 828 5000. The campaign number is 12KWH.

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Navistar is recalling (12V-465) certain 2013 International 8600, 2012 and 2013 DuraStar, 2011 – 2013 ProStar and 2012 WorkStar trucks equipped with piston spring brake feature code 04EVP.

The piston bore area of the parking brake chamber may have an air leak which could result in the parking brake not fully releasing. If not fully released the service brakes could lock up without warning.

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spring brake chamber free of charge. The recall was to have begun on or before Nov. 12, 2012. Owners may contact Navistar at 331 332 1590. Navistar’s recall campaign number is 12524.

Navistar is recalling (12V-507) certain 2013 ProStar and WorkStar trucks equipped with steering wheel feature codes 05CAW, 05 CAX, 05 CAZ, 05 CBA or 05 WBD. The steering wheel may not have been completely welded to its mounting hub. A steering wheel with an incomplete weld may separate from the mounting hub.

Navistar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace affected steering wheels, free of charge. The campaign was to have started in November, 2012. Owners may contact Navistar at 800 448 7825. The campaign number is 12529.

Navistar is recalling (12V-508) certain 2013 ProStar trucks equipped with tow hook feature code 01570.

The tow hooks may not have been heat treated to specification, resulting in reduced strength. Improperly heat treated tow hooks may unexpectedly break during vehicle recovery.

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect tow hooks free of charge. The recall was to have begun in December 2012. Owners may contact Navistar at 800 448 7825. The campaign number is 12527.

Navistar is recalling certain 2012 International DuraStar and WorkStar trucks equipped with a seven degree passenger seat, feature code 16JAJ or SCBA.

The vehicle’s front passenger seat separated from its mounting rails during a load test, thus failing to conform to the requirements of FMVSS 207, "Seating Systems."

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat adjusting rail, anchor plate and mounting hardware free of charge. The recall campaign was to have begun during December 2012. Owners may contact Navistar at 800 448 7825. The campaign number is 12528.

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Volvo is recalling (12V-510) certain 2002 – 2013 VHD and VN trucks equipped with bench passenger seats.

The seat belt "D" ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages." In the event of a crash, an insufficient weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant.

Volvo Trucks North America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected "D" ring, free of charge. The recall was to have begun during December 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 336 393 2000. The campaign number is RVXX1204.

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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America is recalling (12V524) certain 2012 – 2013 FEC52, FEC72, FEC92 and FGB72 trucks.

The fuel line may disconnect from the fuel filter head due to an improperly machined connector. As the fuel in loosens and detaches it may leak fuel.

MFTA will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the affected fuel filter head free of charge. The recall campaign was to have begun during December 2012. Owners may contact MFTA at 856 467 4500. The campaign number is C1005710.

We had a big flurry of recall announcements right at the end of the year.  This brings us up to date so far.
……………. Sam

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From the Engineer’s Desk

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September Recalls

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Chrysler is recalling (NHTSA recall #11V-350) certain 2008 -2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 4×4 trucks; 3500 4×2 cab & chassis; and 2008 1500 Mega Cab 4×4 because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. Additionally, some 2003 – 2008 2500 and 3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.

Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod end as required, and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler at 800 853 1403.

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Mack is recalling (11V-370) certain 2009 – 2012 MRU heavy trucks. The bolts used to mount the steering gear were not tightened to specification. Dealers will replace the bolts, tightened to the correct specification, free of charge. Owners may contact Mack at 800 866 1177.

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Paccar is recalling (11V380) certain 2011 – 2012 Kenworth T660, T700 and T800 vehicles and 2008, 2010 and 2011 Peterbilt 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388 and 587 vehicles, equipped with Paccar MX engines and Eaton Ultrashift DM or Allison automatic transmissions (without auto-neutral).

The fast idle control may be activated by the driver while the transmission is in gear. Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers will update the software for the affected chassis. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Kenworth at 425 828 5440 and Peterbilt at 940 591 4196. Kenworth and Peterbilt recall #E038R.

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Edmunds

Ford is recalling (11V-385) certain 1997 – 2003 Ford F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997 – 1999 F-250 less than 8500 lbs. GVW originally sold or currently registered in all New England states plus Delaware, Maryland, Pennslyvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and D.C.

Prolonged exposure to road de-icing chemicals may cause severe corrosion to the fuel tank straps. Ford will notify owners. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Relationship Center at 866 436 7332. Ford’s recall campaign number is 11S21.

That’s all for now, been a pretty quiet month for recalls……. Sam Yardumian

Firegeezer notes: All of Engineer Sam's postings including his recall notices are permanently archived in our web server. You can check back on them anytime by going over to the Categories box in the right sidebar and clicking on "Engineer's Desk."

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