Recall Corner — October 2007

BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC has announced NHTSA recall 07E037000, a voluntary recall which affects Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valves manufactured between November 4, 2005, and April 17, 2007.

Bendix has determined that, due to unauthorized changes made by a component supplier, a manufacturing defect exists in the internal rubber check valves inside the Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valves manufactured between November 4, 2005 and April 17, 2007 (inclusive). The effect of this defect is intermittent and presents a potential delay, or failure to apply the parking brakes, resulting in a potential vehicle roll away. Normal service braking is not affected by this condition. There have been no reports of any injuries related to this issue. The valve is installed as original equipment on motorhome chassis, as well as buses and heavy trucks. It is also sold as replacement equipment.

Bendix is currently completing notification to the owners of aftermarket replacement equipment, while vehicle manufacturers will notify their customers accordingly. Dealers will repair the affected valves at no cost. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes or less; however, because of service scheduling times, some service centers may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information and assistance regarding this voluntary recall, first contact your vehicle manufacturer. A copy of an SR-7 Identification Guideline is available at www.bendix.com to assist you in properly identifying impacted valves. Bendix has also set up a toll-free recall assistance phone line (available Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET) at (877) 461-2732.

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FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES INC. has announced NHTSA recall 07V365000, which affects certain 2008 Discovery, Excursion, and Providence motorhomes manufactured between April 5, 2007, and May 22, 2007. The potential number of units involved is 41.

On certain 39R motorhomes, the propane hose located under the galley slideout room can flex and make contact with other components during the slideout room operation. This may lead to abrasion or kinking of the propane hose, which could result in a propane gas leak and the potential for an explosion and/or fire.

Fleetwood dealers will be supplied with all the information needed to enable them to inspect and, if necessary, replace the propane gas hose if it is kinked or damaged. If the propane gas hose is not kinked or damaged, Fleetwood will install insulated loop clamps to secure the propane gas hose away from components. The total length of time your motorhome will be out of service will depend on the dealer’s work schedule.

For more information about this recall, contact Fleetwood at (800) 322-8216. Owner notification was expected to begin in August 2007.

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FREIGHTLINER LLC has announced NHTSA recall 07V343000, which affects some 2003 through 2008 CX-R, VCL, XB-R, XC, XC-F, XC-L, and XC-P motorhome chassis manufactured between June 13, 2002, and June 13, 2007. The potential number of chassis involved is 6,227.

Certain motorhome chassis are equipped with ZF model 8018 steering gears that may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. This could potentially allow the recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating ball circuit, resulting in a loss of steering. Prior to the loss of steering, the operator may notice metallic cracking noises in combination with higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments, while driving in a straight line.

Dealers will inspect the steering gear for date codes and if necessary will replace the gear. The inspections should take approximately 15 minutes, but an approximate repair time has not yet been established.

For more information about this recall, contact Freightliner at (800) 547-0712. Owner notification is expected to begin in November 2007.

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SPARTAN CHASSIS INC. has announced two NHTSA recalls. The first is recall 07V300000, which affects certain 2004 K3 and 2005 K2 motorhome chassis manufactured between October 20, 2003, and June 16, 2005. The potential number of units involved is 89.

On certain chassis, the steering gear assembly contains a spacer with incorrect dimensions. A spacer of insufficient height allows for excessive play in the return function of the recirculation balls and, as a consequence, a failure of the circulatory function of these balls can occur. If the failure mode is allowed to continue, the final result will be interruption in the connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels of the coach. If this happens, the vehicle can no longer be steered, which could result in a crash.

Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly. Due to various body configurations, packaging constraints, and service center schedules, the total repair time is unknown. An authorized Spartan service center will determine repair time on a case-by-case basis.

Owner notification was expected to begin in July 2007.

The second is recall 07V363000, which affects certain 2006 through 2008 K2, K3, MG, MM, NG, SG, and SU motorhome chassis manufactured between November 8, 2005, and July 27, 2007. The potential number of units involved is 3,693.

Certain motorhome chassis electrical harnesses were equipped with defective Bussmann Dual Vehicle Electrical Center (DVEC) boxes. The defective box could cause a loss of electrical power to components of the major chassis operating systems, causing the vehicle to shut down and/or not be capable of powering up. Each vehicle could potentially experience a unique circumstance where one or a combination of the following conditions could occur: loss of electrical power to the engine, transmission, and starting and engine cooling systems; operation of the right chassis stop/turn signal and right trailer stop/turn signal (if towing); the antilock brake system; the auxiliary brake system; the heater elements in the air dryer; and the heater element in the water-in-fuel separator.

Dealers will replace the defective Bussmann DVEC box with a new box. Due to various body configurations, packaging constraints, and service center schedules, the total repair time is unknown. An authorized Spartan service center will determine repair time on a case-by-case basis.

The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this recall.

For more information about these recalls, contact Spartan at (517) 543-6400.

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WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC. has announced NHTSA recall 07V370000, which affects some 2008 Itasca Suncruiser and Winnebago Adventurer motorhomes built between January 8, 2007, and July 9, 2007. The potential number of coaches involved is 67.

On certain motorhomes, the passenger-side windshield wiper may fail to operate properly. Inoperative wipers during inclement weather conditions could cause impaired visibility, which has the potential to result in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.

Dealers will install new wiper linkage from the wiper motor to the pivot assemblies on these motorhomes. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about this recall, contact Winnebago Industries at (641) 585-3535. Owner notification was expected to begin in September 2007.

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