Daimler Trucks North America, LLC: Safety Recalls in 2009

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES AND FCCC B2 CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2007 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2009. FASTENERS USED TO CONNECT THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRING TO THE SUSPENSION HANGER BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER TORQUED FASTENERS MAY BECOME LOOSE AND POTENTIALLY FALL OUT.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES AND FCCC B2 CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 1, 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 10, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB CM2150 J1939/1587 ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, BOSCH HYDRAULIC PIN-SLIDE FRONT BRAKES, AND WEBASTO 17K BTU COOLANT HEATER. THE FRONT RIGHT HAND CROSSOVER BRAKE LINE MAY HAVE BEEN SECURED USING SHORTER OFFSET THAN SPECIFIED CLAMPS POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE BRAKE LINE TO RUB ON THE SURROUNDING COMPONENTS. THIS MAY LEAD TO A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 THOMAS BUILT SAF-T-LINER C2 SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FCCC B2 CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2004 THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS. THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL ARM MAY LOOSEN ALLOWING THE ARM TO ROTATE AROUND ITS SHAFT AND SWING IN FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REDUCING BRAKING FUNCTION.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2011 THOMAS BUILT MVP-EF SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2009. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE SCUFF PLATE AND BECOME STUCK IN FULL THROTTLE POSITION.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 FREIGHTLINER M2, CUSTOM CHASSIS MT55, AND STERLING ACTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 4, 2007 AND JULY 15, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISC CM2150 AND ISL CM2150 MODEL DIESEL ENGINES. THE VEHICLES MAY BE DESIGNED WITH A HARD WIRED, DASH-MOUNTED SWITCH THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO INHIBIT AFTERTREATMENT DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION IN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES IT MAY BE UNSAFE FOR ELEVATED EXHAUST TEMPERATURES. DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE LOGIC IN THE ECM SOFTWARE IN THESE ENGINES, THE SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, LEADING THE OPERATOR TO BELIEVE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN "INHIBIT" MODE WHEN IT IS NOT.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 STERLING 360 VEHICLES. THE WEATHER RESISTANCE PROPERTIES OF THE AIR INTAKE DUCT RUBBER CUSHIONS IS INSUFFICIENT. DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, THE RUBBER CUSHIONS DETERIORATE AND CRACK.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 FREIGHTLINER, AND STERLING VEHICLES EQUIPPED DETROIT DIESEL DD13 EPA07 ENGINES WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GRID HEATERS. INCREASED INTERNAL GRID HEATER RESISTANCE CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS MAY MELT THE SOLDER ON THE GRID HEATER CIRCUIT BOARD LEADING TO A SHORT CIRCUIT.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL DD15 EPA07 ENGINES WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GRID HEATERS. INCREASED INTERNAL GRID HEATER RESISTANCE CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS MAY MELT THE SOLDER ON THE GRID HEATER CIRCUIT BOARD LEADING TO A SHORT CIRCUIT.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS AND VIBRATION COMBINED WITH HIGH INTERNAL PRESSURE.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 5, 2008 AND JANUARY 7, 2009, EQUIPPED DD15 ENGINES AND WITH BOSCH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS. THE FASTENERS ON THESE FUEL PUMPS COULD BE UNDER-TORQUED ALLOWING THE "O" RING BETWEEN THE PUMP HOUSING AND THE BARREL TO PROTRUDE AND LEAK.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 31, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 18, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. (SMI) 000290 LED LIGHT KITS. A CHANGE TO THE WIRE USED IN THE LED LIGHT KITS MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE LIFE OF THE LIGHTS USED ON THE STOP ARMS. THE LIGHTS MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2009 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH INDIANA MILLS AND MANUFACTURING ROLLTEK SIDE-ROLL PROTECTION SYSTEMS. THE SENSOR DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL CAN MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 29, 2005 THROUGH JULY 3, 2009. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITION, THE LEFT HAND INNER TIE ROD END MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND IF NOT CORRECTED, POTENTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING RACK.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES AND FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS S2 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 21 AND JULY 2, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH TRW IGEN 3 INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMNS. THE WELD AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT TUBE THAT SECURES THE SPLINE TUBE TO THE INTERMEDIATE TUBE MAY BE MISLOCATED (I.E., NOT FULLY OVER THE SEAM CREATED WHEN THE TUBES ARE PRESSED TOGETHER.)

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 10, 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH AG2 ENTRANCE DOORS. THE ENTRANCE DOOR GLASS MAY BE INADEQUATELY BONDED TO THE DOOR FRAME AND MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 35 MODEL YEAR 2010 MVP-EF AND HDX THOMAS BUILT TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 2008 THROUGH MARCH 25, 2009 THE EMERGENCY EXIT PUSH-OUT WINDOW MAY BE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY RESULTING IN BINDING OF THE WINDOW.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 53 MY 2009-2010 WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS BUILT WITH DD15 ENGINES. A NEW FORWARD CAB CROSSMEMBER DESIGN REDUCED CLEARANCE FOR CAB MOUNTED BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH POWER CABLES ON STANDARD CAB HEIGHT VEHICLES. DURING CAB ARTICULATION THE NEW CROSSMEMBER MAY PINCH POWER CABLES AGAINST THE CAB.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 1,460 MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS AND FCCC CHASSIS (USED ON THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 11 THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN HALDEX QUICK RELEASE VALVES (QRV). THE RUBBER DIAPHRAGM INSIDE THE QRV MAY EXPERIENCE DELAMINATION RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF AIR PRESSURE LEAKAGE PAST AND/OR THROUGH THE DIAPHRAGM, OR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUBBLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM WHICH MAY TRAP AIR PRESSURE IN THE VALVE AND NOT ALLOW THE SERVICE BRAKES TO RELEASE.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 216 MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2009 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 5, 2003 THROUGH JULY 3, 2008. VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN SEAT BACK AND WINDOW COMBINATIONS MAY BE CONFIGURED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE EMERGENCY WINDOW RELEASE MECHANISM IS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE LOW-FORCE REGION WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXISTS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2,811 MY 2001-2007 CONDOR TRUCKS BUILT BY AMERICAN LAFRANCE, FREIGHTLINER AND STERLING. THE CAB MOUNTED BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER USED TO RAISE AND LOWER THE CAB FOR MAINTENANCE MAY WEAR LEADING TO INADEQUATE RESTRAINT, ALLOWING THE CAB TO FALL FORWARD ONTO THE GROUND.

DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 633 MY 2005 THROUGH 2008 FS65 AND FB65 SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 12, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 18, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH MBE906 ENGINES AND ALLISON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES MAY CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE AS THE ENGINE ROCKS.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2 MY 2008-2009 FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA AND STERLING L-LINE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C7, C9, C13 AND C15 DIESEL ENGINES. INADEQUATE STIFFNESS OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) BRACKET COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE DPF FROM THE CHASSIS.

CATERPILLAR IS RECALLING 14 MY 2008-2009 STERLING A-LINE & L-LINE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINE. THE AFTERTREATMENT REGENERATION DEVICE (ARD) MAY DEVELOP A HOLE AND HEAT AND FLAME MAY ESCAPE DURING A REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULAR FILTER.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 STERLING BULLET TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DASH SILENCER PAD THAT COULD SAG AND COME IN CONTACT WITH AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 14181 MY 2007-2009 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CAB SIGNAL-DETECT AND ACTIVATION MODULES (SAMS). POTENTIAL CORROSION DAMAGE DUE TO WATER INTRUSION INTO THE SAMS MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS OR INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF TAIL LAMPS, STOP LAMPS, SIDE MARKER LAMPS AND TRAILER LIGHTING. IN SOME CASES STARTER MOTORS HAVE ACTIVATED WITHOUT A KEY ON.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2,426 THOMAS BUILT BUSES MY 2003 THROUGH 2006 SAF-T-LINER HDX SCHOOL AND NON SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2005. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (VIM) LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS NEAR THE FRONT AXLE AND OUTSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE COVER MAY BECOME CORRODED DUE TO WATER AND ROAD SPRAY INTRUSION. VIM CORROSION MAY CAUSE THE STARTER MOTOR TO ENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY OR THE BACKUP LIGHTS TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY.

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 22,206 THOMAS BUILT MY 2005 THROUGH 2010 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2004 THROUGH NOVEMBER 24, 2008. THE LOWER END OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AFT ASSIST HANDRAIL MAY BE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEP.