2008 Chevrolet W5500: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2008-07-28 (July 28, 2008)

KNAPHEIDE IS RECALLING 108 MY 2006-2008 PRO SERIES TRUCK BEDS EQUIPPED WITH AN ICC BUMPER WHICH INCLUDED A PROVISION FOR A BALL HITCH. THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT WELD ATTACHING THE HITCH CHANNEL TO THE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BENDING OF THE HITCH CHANNEL OR THE HITCH COULD BE PULLED OFF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: KNAPHEIDE WILL OFFER TWO REMEDIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS: (1) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO NOT USE THE HITCH, THE HITCH WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BED AND REPLACED WITH AN ICC BUMPER; OR (2) FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A HITCH, A RECEIVER HITCH ASSEMBLY WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING HITCH ASSEMBLY AND ALL SUSPECT WELD JOINTS WILL BE RE WELDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KNAPHEIDE AT 1-877-473-5763.

Reported: 2009-02-04 (February 4, 2009)

IZUSU IS RECALLING 2,836 MY 2008-2009 NPR/NQR AND NRR, GMC W3500, 4500 AND 5500, CHEVROLET W3500, 4500 AND 5500 TRUCKS. THE PROPELLER SHAFT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT HIGH FREQUENCY HEAT TREATMENT. AS A RESULT, THE AFFECTED PORTION OF THE PROPELLER SHAFT MAY NOT MAINTAIN ITS DURABILITY THROUGH THE EXPECTED VEHICLE USEFUL LIFE.

Consequence: THE PROPELLER SHAFT COULD BREAK OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE STALLING AND COASTING TO A STOP, OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PROPELLER SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-866-441-9638.

Reported: 2009-03-19 (March 19, 2009)

LDV IS RECALLING 81 TRUCKS BUILT ON CHEVROLET AND FORD MY 2007-2009 C5500, MY 2008-2009 W5500, AND MY 2008 F-650 CHASSIS SPECIFICALLY FOR SNAP-ON TOOLS FOR USE AS A MOBILE SUPPLY COMPANY. THERE MAY BE A CABLE INSTALLED ON THE BATTERY ISOLATOR WITH THE BODY OF THE CABLE LUG FACING THE ISOLATOR. WITH ALL CABLES TIGHTENED DOWN ON THE STUD, THIS CABLE LUG MAY BE PRESSED AGAINST THE COOLING FINS OF THE ISOLATOR, WHERE CONTACT POSES A RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD RESULT IN CABLES OVERHEATING.

Consequence: THIS CONTACT POSES A RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD RESULT IN CABLES OVERHEATING AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CONDUCT A TWO-STEP REMEDY. THE FIRST STEP IS TO INSPECT THE CABLE INSTALLATION TO ENSURE ALL CABLES ARE INSTALLED WITH THE LUG BODY FACING AWAY FROM THE ISOLATOR WITH NONE IN CONTACT WITH THE COOLING FINS. THE SECOND STEP IS TO ADD A GROUNDING STRAP OR ABLE TO HE ALUMINUM BOX TO PROPERLY GROUND IT AND THE COMPONENTS MOUNTED WITHIN IT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LDV AT 608-257-3911.

Reported: 2009-11-13 (November 13, 2009)

E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHEVROLET W5500, MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 DODGE 3500, MODEL YEAR 2009 MIGHTY MOVER, MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 FORD E-250, E-350 AND E-450, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 GMC W4500, MODEL YEAR 2007 INTERNATIONAL 4300, MODEL YEAR 2009 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.

Consequence: THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM AT 1-925-798-4060.