2003 Unimog U500: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)

CERTAIN TRUCKS DO NOT COMPLY WITH SEVERAL FEDERAL STANDARDS: (1) THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABELS, PART 567, "CERTIFICATION;" (2) TIRE LABELS, FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 120, "IRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;" (3) INCOMPLETE VEHICLE DOCUMENT, PART 568, "VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN TWO OR MORE STAGES;" (4) FRONT SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;" (5) LIGHTING FUNCTIONALITY, PART 393; (6) DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS;" AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES;" AND (7) SEAT BELT LATCHES ON TWIN PASSENGER SEAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

Remedy: ONLY TWO OF THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS AND BOTH VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. THE REMAINING VEHICLES ARE AT DEALERSHIPS AND WILL BE REPAIRED AT THOSE LOCATIONS. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION IS NECESSARY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

Reported: 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN 365/85 R20 TIRES, THE TIRES MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MAXIMUM LOAD AND MAXIMUM SPEED RATINGS.

Consequence: VEHICLE OVER-LOADING AND TIRE UNDER-INFLATION WILL RESULT IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER AND INJURY TO OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WITH MICHELIN 395/85 R20, AND AN UPDATED GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) CERTIFICATION LABEL WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2006-07-03 (July 3, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SHIFT, AIR MAY LEAK INTO THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AT THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING SEAL PREVENTING THE CLUTCH FROM OPENING COMPLETELY AND POTENTIALLY PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH TO OPEN COMPLETELY OR THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL COULD MAKE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULTY TO BRING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD WHILE STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING AND UPDATE THE CLUTCH ACTUATION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2006-11-30 (November 30, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE EAS TRANSMISSION OPTION, A PROGRAMMING LOGIC ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FROM DISENGAGING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE (LOW-LOW RANGE).

Consequence: THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT CAPABLE OF OVERCOMING THE ENGINE TORQUE TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEEL ENDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. IF THE CLUTCH FAILS TO DISENGAGE THE ENGINE MUST BE SHUT-DOWN IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM TO PROVIDE REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. THE GEAR SHIFT ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED AND TWO RELAYS WILL BE ADDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.