2012 Autocar ACX: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2012-02-08 (February 8, 2012)

AUTOCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 ACX HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 5, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 ANTILOCK TRACTION RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAD TO A FIRE. UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO, THE BRAKES MAY BE APPLIED WITHOUT ILLUMINATING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, FAILING TO GIVE PROPER WARNING TO OTHER DRIVERS.

Remedy: AUTOCAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REPAIR UNTIL BENDIX DEVELOPS A PERMANENT REMEDY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

Reported: 2012-03-02 (March 2, 2012)

MCNEILUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUTOCAR ACX TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 17, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 10, 2012. THE REFUSE TRUCK MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY REQUIRE THAT THE TAG AXLE ON THE CHASSIS BE REMOVED. DURING REMOVAL, TWO AIR LINES MUST BE REINSTALLED IN THE CORRECT LOCATION. IF THE AIR LINES ARE RECONNECTED INCORRECTLY, THE TAG AXLE BRAKES WILL BE APPLIED WHEN THE TAG AXLE IS LIFTED, BUT WILL NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE TAG IS AXLE IS LOWERED.

Consequence: REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: MCNEILUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND PERFORM REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCNEILUS AT 507-374-6321.

Reported: 2013-04-11 (April 11, 2013)

Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 ACX vehicles manufactured January 24, 2011, through December 4, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with Meritor axle assemblies that were built with disc brakes using MGM J24 series air brake chambers. In the affected axles, the brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.

Consequence: Overheated brake components could result in a fire.

Remedy: Autocar will notify owners and will replace the actuators as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's campaign recall number is A-1301.

Reported: 2013-05-08 (May 8, 2013)

Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 ACX trucks built May 1, 2012, through November 15, 2012. Due to an insufficient weld, the windshield wiper arms of the vehicles may not be held in their proper position. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 104, "Windshield wiping and washing systems."

Consequence: Without properly working windshield wipers, the driver's vision could be hindered by precipitation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's recall campaign number is A-1303.

Reported: 2013-05-08 (May 8, 2013)

Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2005-2013 ACX, WX, and WXLL trucks built November 16, 2004, through September 10, 2012. On the affected vehicles, the air brake systems were built without the required air tank drain valve. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: Air tanks with valves omitted will not drain if moisture is introduced into the tank, potentially reducing air capacity in the air brake system, which could cause a reduction in brake performance and equipment durability, thus increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's recall campaign number is A-1302.

Reported: 2014-03-19 (March 19, 2014)

Autocar, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 ACX, WX, and WXLL vehicles manufactured July 30, 2007, through February 10, 2014, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G or ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.

Consequence: The improper operation of the sensor could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.

Remedy: Cummins Inc. and Cummins Wesport Inc. will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Autocar's number for this recall is A-1402.