Recall Corner — March 2001

Ford Motor Company has announced recall 00S24 (NHTSA recall 00V254), which involves 12,850 Ford F-Super Duty motorhome chassis manufactured between November 1999 and June 2000.

Certain chassis may have a misrouted wire harness that attaches to the brake pedal position switch. The wire could rub on the steering column, resulting in a short circuit and a blown fuse, causing the rear brake lights to fail.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the wiring harness to the brake pedal switch. Repair time varies according to the work needed, parts availability, and service scheduling times.

Ford reported that owner notification of this recall began in September 2000. For more information, contact a local Ford dealer or call Ford motorhome customer assistance at (800) 444-3311.

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Freightliner Custom Chassis has announced recall FL-271 (NHTSA recall 00V230002), which involves 5,032 Freightliner XC chassis made between December 1997 and August 2000.

On certain chassis built with Caterpillar engines and equipped with Felsted electronic accelerator pedals, the return springs can break on accelerator pedals that are equipped with stainless-steel or electroplated wire return springs. If both return springs fail, the throttle will not return to the idle position as intended, and will become stuck.

The remedy involves installing replacement accelerator pedals equipped with return springs made out of music wire. These return springs have an additional coil on each spring and have an organic coating, designed to eliminate electroplating.

Approximately one-half hour will be required to complete the work. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need your vehicle for a longer period.

Freightliner reported that owner notification began in January 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at (800) 547-0712.

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Freightliner Custom Chassis has announced recall FL-264 (NHTSA recall 00V279001), which involves 10,460 shuttle buses, RVs, utility vans, and heavy-duty trucks equipped with the Meritor WABCO Phase 1, D-version antilock brake system (ABS).

The affected vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems." An internal diagnostic system in the ABS may not detect an extreme wheel speed sensor air gap. Such a condition could possibly occur during 1) original assembly or 2) subsequent wheel end service. An extreme wheel speed sensor air gap that affects the generation of a response signal may not be detected; thus, the indicator lamp may not activate.

Dealers will remove and replace the ABS electronic control unit on buses and multi-passenger vehicles and reprogram the ECU for all others. Approximately one hour will be required to complete the work. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need your vehicle for a longer period.

Freightliner reported that owner notification began in February 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at (800) 547-0712.

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