2008 Freightliner CENTURY ST: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-07-18 (July 18, 2007)

FREIGHTLINER IS RECALLING CERTAIN SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, VAN CHASSIS, RV MOTORHOME CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5 TO MAY 17, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY (AAC) FRONT AXLES. DURING THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY, THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER TIGHTENED.

Consequence: INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, INSPECT THE FASTENERS, AND REPLACE THE STEERING ARM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-08-02 (August 2, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, A MANUFACTURING ERROR IN THE FUEL-WATER SEPARATOR PREHEATER THERMOSWITCH MAY PREVENT THE FUEL PREHEATER FROM TURNING OFF IF THE IGNITION IS LEFT ON. IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LEFT ON WHEN FUEL IS ADDED TO THE FUEL- WATER SEPARATOR AT THE FACTORY OR DURING A FILTER ELEMENT CHANGE, A SMALL FLAME MAY OCCUR INSIDE THE FILTER COVER.

Consequence: THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE FLAME TO SPREAD RESULTING IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL FILTER DATE CODE AND THERMOSWITCH LOT CODE TO DETERMINE IF THEY CONTAIN THE SUSPECT COMPONENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-08-13 (August 13, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH A TRW GLOBAL ADJUSTABLE UPPER STEERING COLUMN, TWO UPPER TILT PLATE BOLTS MAY LOOSEN WITH USE AND FALL OUT. THESE FASTENERS HOLD THE UPPER COLUMN ASSEMBLY IN PLACE. THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT MAY FRACTURE IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING WHEN AN EXCESSIVE FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY CAUSE THE STEERING TO RESPOND DIFFERENTLY THAN EXPECTED. IF THIS CONDITION IS IGNORED, A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: THE TILT PLATE BOLTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-09-05 (September 5, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE TIE ROD ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THE THREADED END OF THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE.

Consequence: A FRACTURED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR INSTALLATION OF THE STEERING ARMS. STEERING COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED ON TRUCKS THAT HAVE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED TIE ROD ARMS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 1, 2008. OWNER MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-09-06 (September 6, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING, THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY AT THE INNER END OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD MAY BE DAMAGED IN A SHARP TURN. EXCESSIVE TIE ROD ANGLES MAY LOOSEN THE TIE ROD IN THE BALL SOCKET OR DAMAGE THE THREADED TIE ROD SOCKET ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING RACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE THREADED END OF THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE.

Consequence: A FRACTURED TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FRONT AXLE STEERING STOPS TO PREVENT INTERFERENCE IN THE TIE ROD BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY AND STEERING COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2008, AND WILL BE MAILED IN PHASES THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.

Consequence: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THE OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIPER MOTOR GROUND WIRE WAS OMITTED IN A NEW HARNESS DESIGN. THE WIPER MOTOR MAY NOT OPERATE OR MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence: THE WIPER MOTOR MAY STOP FUNCTIONING, IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD IMPAIR VISIBILITY AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFELY STOPPED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A GROUND WIRE TO THE WIPER MOTOR HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-12-21 (December 21, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING GEARS, MODELS TAS85 AND RCS85, THESE STEERING GEARS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECTOR SHAFTS WITH AN INCORRECT GEAR TOOTH WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE RACK-PISTON TEETH, RESULTING IN A STICK OR BIND CONDITION.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE THE STEERING GEAR TO STALL AND RESTRICT THE STEERING TURNING ANGLE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER IS WORKING WITH TRW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR (PLEASE SEE 07E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2007-12-28 (December 28, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR EPA07 C155 ENGINES, THE EXTENSION PIPES ATTACHED TO THE AFTERTREATMENT REGENERATION DEVICE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK OR HOLE AND HEAT OR FLAME MAY ESCAPE DURING A REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER.

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07E100). CATERPILLAR WILL REPAIR THE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2008-04-09 (April 9, 2008)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 900 MY 2008 FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY, ARGOSY RHD, CASCADIA, COLUMBIA, CENTURY ST, CORONADO, STERLING ACTERRA, L-LINE AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX MV-3 DASH CONTROL VALVES. THE MOLDED VALVE BODY HAS AN INCORRECT CORE PIN IN THE INJECTION MOLD CAUSING THE VALVE BODY TO BE OVERSIZED IN THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE AREA. THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE RUBBER DOUBLE CHECK VALVE TO BECOME LODGED IN THE BODY OPENING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

Consequence: IF THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE BECOMES LODGED, IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY RESERVOIR FAILURE, AIR PRESSURE CAN LEAK PAST THE LODGED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE THEREBY DEPLETING THE SECONDARY RESERVOIR, CAUSING REDUCED ABILITY FOR MODULATING THE SERVICE EMERGENCY BRAKES INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MV-3 DASH VALVE FOR THE PRODUCTION DATE CODE. VALVES IN THE AFFECTED PRODUCTION LOTS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.