2005 Autocar WX: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-03-01 (March 1, 2005)

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AUTO SLACK ADJUSTERS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE AUTO SLACK ADJUSTERS MAY NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTS.

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FUNCTION. ANY TIME VEHICLE CONTROL IS COMPROMISED A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE SLACK ADJUSTERS REPLACED IF NECESSARY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ARVINMERITOR AT 1-866-668-7221 OR AUTOCAR AT 765-489-5499.

Reported: 2005-03-29 (March 29, 2005)

ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY, CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ACCURIDE ALUMINUM WHEELS, PART NO. 29644ANP, SIZE 22.5 X 8.25, THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY PRE-STRESSED.

Consequence: WHEELS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY PRE-STRESSED COULD, OVER TIME, DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE WHEEL THAT COULD RESULT IN A WHEEL FAILURE AND RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE RIMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-877-973-3486, EXTENSION 2572.

Reported: 2005-06-21 (June 21, 2005)

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE BACKUP ALARM MOTION SENSOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND MAY NOT SENSE WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVERS BACKWARDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL BACKWARDS WITHOUT THE BACKUP ALARM SOUNDING WITH THE RISK OF RUNNING OVER OR CRUSHING A PERSON STANDING OR WORKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE MOTION SENSOR IN RELATION TO THE MAGNETS THAT ROTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-877-973-3486.

Reported: 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, EXPOSED 12V TERMINALS ON THE BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A HINGED METAL LATCH ON THE BATTERY BOX LID. WHEN LATCHING OR UN-LATCHING THE BATTERY BOX LID, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A PERSON WEARING METAL JEWELRY (LIKE A WATCH OR FINGER RING) MIGHT CONNECT THE GROUNDED, METAL LATCH TO THE EXPOSED POSITIVE TERMINALS ON THE BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH THROUGH SUCH JEWELRY.

Consequence: GROUNDING AS A RESULT OF THE CONTACT DESCRIBED ABOVE COULD PRODUCE HEAT AND COULD CAUSE BURNS TO SKIN THAT IS IN CONTACT WITH METAL JEWELRY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE SWITCH TO A POSITION FURTHER AWAY FROM THE METAL CATCH AND INSTALL ISOLATING PROTECTORS OVER THE BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH TERMINALS. THE RECALL IS BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

Reported: 2006-05-18 (May 18, 2006)

ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES, THE TABS ON SOME OF THE LIFT AXLE SPINDLE NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN BROKEN DURING ASSEMBLY. WHEN IN PLACE, THE TABS ON THE NUTS PREVENT THE NUTS FROM LOOSENING.

Consequence: WHEN THE TABS ARE BROKEN, THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THE NUT MIGHT SPIN OFF. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE WHEEL AND WHEEL END ASSEMBLY COULD FALL OFF, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LIFT AXLE SPINDLE NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

Reported: 2013-05-08 (May 8, 2013)

Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2005-2013 ACX, WX, and WXLL trucks built November 16, 2004, through September 10, 2012. On the affected vehicles, the air brake systems were built without the required air tank drain valve. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: Air tanks with valves omitted will not drain if moisture is introduced into the tank, potentially reducing air capacity in the air brake system, which could cause a reduction in brake performance and equipment durability, thus increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's recall campaign number is A-1302.