Recall Corner — April 2008

Freightliner LLC has announced two separate NHTSA recalls.

The first is recall 07V306000, which affects some 2007 and 2008 school bus, heavy truck, van, and motorhome chassis built between January 5, 2007, and May 17, 2007. The potential number of vehicles involved is approximately 18,000.

On certain Freightliner chassis equipped with Axle Alliance Company (AAC) front axles, the fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over- or under-tightened. Incorrectly torqued steering arm fasteners may fatigue and fracture, which could cause a crash without warning.

A Freightliner service center will inspect and repair these vehicles. The repair is expected to take approximately 75 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

Owner notification was expected to begin in November 2007.

The second is recall 07V570000, which affects certain 2005 and 2006 Freightliner XC chassis manufactured between February 14, 2005, and May 17, 2006. The potential number of units involved is 10,053.

On certain Freightliner XC motorhome chassis equipped with in-line power steering filter part number 14-16829-000, the filter can plug due to failure of the screen adhesion to the filter housing, causing a rise in return line pressure. This can cause the hose to separate from the filter or steering gear fitting, resulting in a sudden loss of steering fluid and power assist. A sudden loss of steering assist without warning could lead to a vehicle crash.

Dealers will replace the affected filter with a larger filter. The repair is expected to take approximately 40 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about these recalls, contact Freightliner at (800) 547-0712. Owner notification was expected to begin in February 2008.

Monaco Coach Corporation has NHTSA recall 07V582000, which affects some 2007 and 2008 Holiday Rambler Arista and Safari Passage motorhomes manufactured from December 5, 2006, through September 28, 2007. The potential number of coaches involved is 129.

On certain type A motorhomes built on a Ford chassis, the front run panel has an exposed terminal post on its side that could allow the oil dipstick to make contact when the oil level is being checked. The location of the exposed terminal post is under the front engine access hood. While the oil level is being checked, it is possible that the dipstick could come in contact with the exposed wire terminal stud. If the other end of the dipstick is grounded, this could result in an electrical shock or a spark, which could cause a fire.

Dealers will remove the wire from the terminal and install boot covers, then reinstall the wire and slip the covers over the connections. The repair is expected to take approximately 10 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 Monaco Coach Corporation at (800) 685-6545. Owner notification was expected to begin in March 2008.