Freightliner AMERICAN LAFRANCE recalls by model year

Reported: 1998-03-04 (March 4, 1998) · Model years: 1997, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE APPARATUS CABS EQUIPPED WITH CENTER MOUNTED REAR SEATS. THE UPPER D-RING SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES FOR THE REAR SEATS FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE D-RING ANCHORAGES.

Reported: 1998-03-04 (March 4, 1998) · Model years: 1997, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE APPARATUS VEHICLES. THE FRONT BRAKES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE BRAKE RELEASE TIMING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence: INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.

Reported: 1999-06-09 (June 9, 1999) · Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AIR TANK DRAIN HEATERS. THE WIRING USED IN THE HARNESS FOR THE AIR TANK DRAIN HEATER IS UNDERSIZED.

Consequence: IF THERE IS A SHORT IN THE HEATER AND THE CIRCUIT BREAKER DOES NOT TRIP, THE HARNESS WILL OVERHEAT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HARNESS WITH ONE THAT HAS LARGER GAUGE WIRES.

Reported: 2000-10-02 (October 2, 2000) · Model years: 1999, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FORWARD FACING REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES DO NOT COMPLY.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: ADDITIONAL REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES.

Reported: 2002-12-03 (December 3, 2002) · Model years: 2002

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3126E HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRONICALLY ACTUATED UNIT INJECTED DIESEL ENGINES WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY PUMPS (HEP8), THE PUMP COMPONENTS MAY EXPERIENCE A HIGH PRESSURE SEAL FAILURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF ROUGH RUNNING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE STALL DUE TO A LOSS OF INJECTION ACTUATION PRESSURE.

Consequence: FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL404. ONCE ENGINE STALL OCCURS, THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PUMP SERIAL NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE PUMP IF NECESSARY. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2005-06-14 (June 14, 2005) · Model years: 2004

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS AND THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND/NEWAY AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, A TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTING MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN FOR THOMAS BUILT OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 10, 2006; AND FOR FREIGHTLINER OWNERS ON APRIL 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2005-04-27 (April 27, 2005) · Model years: 2005

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ACCURIDE ALUMINUM WHEELS, THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY PRE-STRESSED. THIS ALLOWS CRACKS TO DEVELOP OVER TIME.

Consequence: THIS MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO WHEEL FAILURE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.