1993 Freightliner FLB: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 1993-11-19 (November 19, 1993)

THE HEATER/DEFROSTER DOOR CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE HEATER MODE DUE TO THE DOOR OVER-TRAVELING THE DOOR STOP, IMPEDING THE DEFROSTER PORTION OF THE SYSTEM FROM WORKING.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, AND THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES FOGGED, ITWILL IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION OF THE ROAD AND TRAFFIC, WHICH MAY CAUSE ANACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE DOOR STOP.

Reported: 1993-12-06 (December 6, 1993)

THE DRIVELINE U-JOINTS EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE RATES OF FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGES AND MAY CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE.

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE INTERAXLE DRIVELINE MAY RESULT IN THEDRIVELINE FALLING TO THE ROAD WHERE IT CAN INTERFERE WITH TRAFFIC AND RESULTIN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE ROCKWELL INTERAXLE U-JOINTS WITH U-JOINTS OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

Reported: 1994-04-11 (April 11, 1994)

A LARGER THAN SPECIFIED SCREW WAS USED TO MOUNT A POWER JUNCTION STUD BLOCK TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE TUNNEL. THE LARGER SCREW DID NOT ALLOW ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE SCREW HEAD AND THE RING TERMINALS WHICH ATTACH TO THE STUD. CONTACT BETWEEN THE RING TERMINALS AND THE SCREW HEAD CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN LEAD TO POSSIBLE FIRES WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: CORRECT SIZE MOUNTING FASTENERS WILL BE INSTALLED TO REPLACE THE OVERSIZE SCREWS. THESE WILL BE RECESSED INTO THE MOUNTING BLOCK AND CANNOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE RING TERMINALS.

Reported: 1996-11-13 (November 13, 1996)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HORTON FAN DRIVES. THE FAN DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS RECONFIGURED WHICH RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR FAN ACTIVATION AND ASSOCIATED STRESS TO ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL COMPONENTS. VARIOUS COMPONENT FAILURE MODELS, COMBINED WITH CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAN CLUTCH AND ITS BEARINGS, CAN CAUSE FAN CLUTCH BEARINGS TO FAIL PREMATURELY AND RESULT IN A LOCKED FAN.

Consequence: IF THE FAN IS LOCKED, THE THE SYSTEM CALLS FOR THE FAN TO BE ON, THE FAN CLUTCH WILL SLIP, GENERATE HEAT, AND UNLESS RELEASED, WILL RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN CLUTCH DRIVE DISC WITH ONE THAT INCORPORATES A THERMALLY ACTIVATED PRESSURE RELIEF.

Reported: 1997-08-04 (August 4, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. THE SHOULDER BOLT WHICH HOLDS THE GROTE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CASE AND COMPONENTS TOGETHER CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONING.

Consequence: IF THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION IS LOST, FOLLOWING MOTORISTS WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE TURNING VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE BOLTS AND IN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WITHIN 2 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER. THE SHOULDER BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, CLEANED, AND REINSTALLED WITH LOCTITE. OWNERS CAN ALSO REQUEST LOCTITE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS SO THEY CAN FIX THE VEHICLES THEMSELVES.