2009 Autocar WX: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2008-10-28 (October 28, 2008)

AUTOCAR IS RECALLING 127 MY 2008-2009 ACX, WX, AND WXLL HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS. INSUFFICIENT TORQUE WAS APPLIED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS TO THE NUT ON THE PINCH BOLT THAT SECURES THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONTROLLED TOOL WAS CALIBRATED TO A LOWER TORQUE RATING THAN SPECIFIED FOR THE APPLICATION.

Consequence: IF THE STEERING BOLT WERE TO LOOSEN, THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: AUTOCAR WILL PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FOR SCHEDULING REPAIR OF THE VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL TORQUE THE STEERING KNUCKLE BOLT TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

Reported: 2009-02-19 (February 19, 2009)

AUTOCAR IS RECALLING 690 MY 2008-2009 ACX, WX AND WXLL HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH QUICK RELEASE VALVES (QRV). THERE ARE QRV'S IN TWO AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS IN THE LIFT AXLE AIR LINES. A LEAK IN THAT QRV WOULD AFFECT THE RATE AT WHICH THE TAG/PUSHER AXLE IS LOWERED/LIFTED. THE SECOND IS IN THE PARK BRAKE AIR LINES. A LEAK IN THAT QRV WOULD RELEASE PRESSURE ON THE PARK BRAKE SPRINGS; IF THE LEAD IS LARGE ENOUGH, THE PRESSURE WILL DROP AND SET THE BRAKES ON THE REAR AXLE.

Consequence: DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE AND BRAKING CAPABILITY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: AUTOCAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHEDULING REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE AT AN AUTHORIZED AUTOCAR SERVICE FACILITY, AT NO COST TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

Reported: 2010-02-18 (February 18, 2010)

AUTOCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 WX AND WXR HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 LCOE VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE TOP FLANGE OF THE FRONT FRAME RAIL EXTENSION. OVER TIME, THE CRACK MAY PROPAGATE ACROSS THE EXTENSION BRACKET, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE EXTENSION BRACKET TO DEFORM UNDER LOAD. THESE TIRES ARE ALL ASYMMETRICAL TREAD PATTERNS WITH "OUTER" INDICATED ON THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL. THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL CONTAINS THE FULL TIRE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION DATE CODE.

Consequence: THIS MAY COMPROMISE THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: AUTOCAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

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.

Reported: 2023-01-23 (January 23, 2023)

Autocar, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Xpert, 2010-2020 Xspotter, 2008-2020 Xpeditor, 2008-2010 WXLL and WX vehicles. A worn parking brake control valve can leak air into the vent line, creating excessive back pressure and causing the parking brake to release unexpectedly.

Consequence: The unexpected release of the parking brake may allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will remove the vent line and fitting from the valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2023. Owners may contact Autocar customer service at 1-888-218-3611. Autocar's number for this recall is ACX-2023 ACTT-2301.