2003 Mitsubishi Fuso FM657: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2004-09-09 (September 9, 2004)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE REBOUND CUSHION MAY STICK TO THE HOOK HINGE BRACKET, DUE TO IMPROPER RUBBER COMPOSITION OF THE CUSHION. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE HOOK PIN BRACKET REMAINING IN THE UP (CAB CLOSED) POSITION WHEN THE CAB LATCH IS UNLOCKED. WITH THE HOOK PIN BRACKET IN THE UP POSITION, THE CAB TILT LOCK SWITCH REMAINS CLOSED, IMPROPERLY INDICATING THAT THE CAB LATCH IS LOCKED.

Consequence: IF THE CAB LATCH IS UNLOCKED FOR ANY REASON, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAB LOCK INDICATOR WILL NOT NOTIFY THE DRIVER THAT THE CAB TILT LOCK MECHANISM IS IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION. A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REBOUND CUSHION WITH A MODIFIED COMPONENT AND ADJUST THE CABLE TILT LOCK SWITCH AND BOTTOM BRACKET AT THE REAR CAB MOUNT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI FUSO AT 1-877-711-0707.

Reported: 2004-10-07 (October 7, 2004)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS USING AN F060T OR F070T FRONT AXLE, THE FRONT WHEEL HUB OUTER BEARING LOCK NUT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY, AND AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF GREASE MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO THE OUTER BEARING.

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN THE OUTER BEARING GENERATING EXCESSIVE HEAT AND/OR BREAKING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DISABLED. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER AND OUTER FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARINGS, AND REPLACE ANY BEARING WITH SIGNS OF DAMAGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MITSUBISHI FUSO AT 1-856-467-4500.

Reported: 2006-10-26 (October 26, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH A FULL AIR BRAKE SYSTEM, THERE MAY BE 3 POSSIBLE DEFECTS RELATED TO THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER PORTION OF THE AIR BRAKE CHAMBER ASSEMBLY. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER END CAP DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, CAUSING CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION. (2) DUE TO IMPROPER END CAP ATTACHING SCREW DIMENSIONS, WATER MAY ENTER THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, CAUSING CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION. (3) DUE TO IMPROPER TIGHTENING OF THE END CAP ATTACHING SCREW DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER INTO THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, CAUSING CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION.

Consequence: CONTINUED OPERATION IN THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING IN THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL FOR ITEM (1) ABOVE, INSPECT THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER. THE END CAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. IF CORROSION IS FOUND INSIDE OF THE CHAMBER, OR ON THE POWER SPRING, THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER WILL BE REPLACED. FOR ITEMS 2 AND 3, THE DEALER WILL CHECK THE MANUFACTURER IDENTIFICATION MARK ON PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER. IF MGM IS STAMPED ON THE CHAMBER, IT WILL BE INSPECTED AND THEN ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED TO THE END CAP ATTACHING SCREW ON THESE UNITS. IF CORROSION IS FOUND INSIDE OF THE BRAKE CHAMBER OR ON THE POWER SPRING, THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI FUSO AT 1-856-467-4500.