Recalls Issued for Mack, Navistar, Autocar Trucks

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Heavy Duty Trucking / May 27, 2014

Mack Trucks is recalling a little more than 44,000 trucks due to a possible failure of the hazard warning lights.

This includes the following truck models, manufactured Feb. 28, 2006 through Nov. 8, 2013, and equipped with the Hamsar Electronic Flasher: 2010-2014 CHU, CXU, and MRU; 2007 CT and CV; 2008-2014 GU; and 2011-2014 LEU, and TD. A failure of the hazard warning lights could reduce the trucks visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Mack will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic flasher unit, free of charge. The recall will begin by mid-June 2014. Mack's number for this recall is SC0379.

Mack Trucks is also recalling 490 model year 2014-2015 CXU trucks manufactured Feb. 1, 2013, through Jan. 27, 2014, and equipped with a vertical wet tank, also known as a supply air tank, for the brake system.

The pressure relief valve may not have been installed in the tank during manufacturing. Without a pressure relief valve, the air tank could rupture from being over-pressurized, increasing the risk of injury.

Mack will notify owners, and dealers will install a pressure relief valve in the air tank, free of charge. The recall will begin by mid-June 2014. Mack's number for this recall is SC0380.

Mack’s third new recall applies to more than 1,300 model year 2010-2015 CXU trucks manufactured Nov. 20, 2009, through Jan. 27, 2014, and equipped with dual vertical exhaust pipes.

The white conspicuity reflectors on the rear of the cab could be blocked by the exhaust pipes. Due to this, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." A blocked reflector makes the truck-tractor less visible when operating the vehicle without a trailer in the dark, increasing the risk of a crash.

Mack was scheduled to begin the recall this month. Dealers will inspect the trucks and if the reflectors are blocked, they will add two vertical white reflectors to the rear glass, free of charge. Mack's number for this recall is SC0378.

Owners of trucks can contact Mack customer service at 1-866-298-6586.

Navistar International

Navistar is recalling nearly 300 model year 2013 through 2015 International DuraStar vehicles manufactured November 2012 through December 2013; International WorkStar vehicles manufactured December 2012 through January 2014; and 2014 through 2015 International TranStar and International ProStar vehicles manufactured January 2013 through February 2014.

The affected vehicles are built with air disc brake feature codes 04WEY, 04WEZ, or 04WZK. These vehicles may have an incorrect number of bolts mounting the brake caliper to the caliper mounting plate and some of the bolts may be improperly torqued.

If the air disk brake caliper has loose or missing bolts, the air disk brake caliper may come loose from the mounting plate, causing the vehicle to pull left or right while braking and lengthening the distance needed to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace any missing bolts and check the torque of all of the air disk brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall was set to begin this month. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825. Navistar's number for this recall is 14508.

Autocar

Autocar is recalling a little more than 207 model year 2012-2014 Xpert vehicles manufactured July 11, 2011, through March 5, 2014 for three separate problems.

During manufacturing, the floor mat may have been captured between the seat brackets and the cab sheet metal at all four connection points. This could cause the torque on the bolts to relax to below the required torque, allowing them to loosen. Loose bolts may allow the seat to move in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Autocar's number for this recall is M-1405.

The second recall involves the bolts securing the brake valve to the cab. They may be below the required torque, which could cause a failure in the connection of the airlines and the brake valve. Low bolt torque may result in a loss of brake line air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash. Autocar's number for this recall is M-1406.

The third Autocar recalls involves the bolts that secure the steering column mounting bracket. They could be below the required torque and possibly cause the steering column to come loose. A loose steering column may make it difficult to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Autocar's number for this recall is M-1407.

Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will correct the three possible problems. All are expected to begin on June 6. Owners may contact Autocar's customer service at 1-765-489-5499.

Owners of any of these trucks may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.