1981 Freightliner Freightliner Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 86V084000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: May 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1980
Date of Owner Notification: September 12th, 1986

Defect Summary:
THE ALUMINUM WHEEL HUBS DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE INNER WHEEL BEARING, ALLOWING LOSS OF BEARING LUBRICANT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE HUB FAILURE AND/OR LOSS OF BEARING LUBRICANT RESULTING IN BEARING FREEZE UP COULD RESULT IN STEERING CONTROL PROBLEMS, WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE THE HUBS FROM THE SUSPECT BATCH.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: WHEEL HUB OF FRONT STEERING AXLE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HIGH C.O.E. MODEL SERIES AND LONG CONVENTIONAL MODEL TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MODEL FF-971 FRONT STEERING AXLE.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 84V159000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: June 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: September 1st, 1984
Date of Owner Notification: March 1st, 1985

Defect Summary:
A POORLY DESIGNED BRACKET WHICH MOUNTS THE SERVICE/PARKING BRAKE UNIT TO THE REAR DRIVE AXLE MAY ALLOW DAMAGE TO BRAKE CHAMBER. DAMAGE MAY CAUSE THE SPRING BRAKE TO BE APPLIED.

Corrective Summary:
BRAKE CHAMBER SUPPORT BRACKETS WILL BE REPLACED WITH A TYPE THAT PROVIDES THE NECESSARY CLEARANCE, WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DISC BRAKES IN COMBINATION WITH AIRSUSPENSION SYSTEM.SYSTEM: BRAKING; BRAKE CHAMBER MOUNTING BRACKETS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIORWARNING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 84V021000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: January 1st, 1979
Manufactured End Date: February 1st, 1984
Date of Owner Notification: March 20th, 1984

Defect Summary:
A BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY TIGHTENED ON THE PITMAN ARM AND RETAINING SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY TIGHTENED. THE PITMAN ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT.

Corrective Summary:
A RETAINER WILL BE INSTALLED, OR THE PITMAN ARM WILL BE REPLACED, IF LOOSE.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SHEPPARD MODEL 392 STEERINGGEAR SYSTEMS.SYSTEM: STEERING; PITMAN ARM.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF STEERING WOULD RESULT, POSSIBLY CAUSING ANACCIDENT.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 83V015000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: January 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: December 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: May 16th, 1983

Defect Summary:
PROTECTIVE SLEEVES THAT COVER THE LAP BELTS IN THE AREA OF SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT PAN WERE OMITTED. SEAT BELTS MAY FAIL DURING A COLLISION. BELTS ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS".

Corrective Summary:
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LAP BELTS WITH BELTS HAVING A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AROUND THE PORTION OF THE WEBBING ALONG THE SIDES OF THE SEAT CUSION AND FRAME.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BOSTROM MODEL 720 SEATS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; RESTRAINT LAP BELT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: WHEN TESTED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARD, THEWEBBING FAILED TO WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED LOAD OF 5000 POUNDS. THE WEBBINGFAILED WHERE IT BEARS AGAINST THE HARD EDGE OF THE SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT PAN.LAP BELT FAILURE IN A COLLISION INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCUPANT INJURY.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 82V114000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1978
Manufactured End Date: November 1st, 1982
Date of Owner Notification: March 25th, 1983

Defect Summary:
BRAKES MAY FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS". THE AIR BRAKES ON THE FRONT AXLE MAY NOT ACTUATE AND RELEASE WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED FOR SAFE BRAKING. THE BRAKES MAY EXCEED THE .55 SECOND LIMITS.

Corrective Summary:
THE DEALER WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE SYSTEM BY ADDING AN AIR BRAKE RELAY VALVE AND NECESSARY PIPING TO THE FRONT AXLE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 14,000 LB. GAWR FRONT STEERINGAXLE.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; AIR BRAKES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE TIME THAT IT TAKES FOR THE BRAKES TO REACT COULD BEUNSAFE. DEGRADED BRAKE CONTROL COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND MAYRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 81V116000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: June 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: December 9th, 1981

Defect Summary:
THE KNUCKLE STOP NUTS ARE TOO SHORT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE NUT UNDER HEAVY STEERING FORCE. THIS MAY ALLOW THE WHEEL TO ROTATE TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, PERMITTING THE TIRE TO CONTACT OTHER VEHICLE PARTS.

Corrective Summary:
ALL SHORT KNUCKLE STOP NUTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH LONGER ONES WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FK-132 FRONT AXLES AND MANUALSTEERING.SYSTEM: STEERING; KNUCKLE STOP NUTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: STEERING CONTROL WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED AND VEHICLEACCIDENT IS POSSIBLE.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 81V101000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: May 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: December 9th, 1981

Defect Summary:
THE FOUR BOLTS USED TO ATTACH EACH FUEL TANK SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE FRAME CONTAIN "QUENCH CRACKS" DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THESE DEFECTIVE BOLTS COULD GIVE WAY, ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE BRACKET OR THE BRACKET FROM THE FRAME.

Corrective Summary:
ALL BOLTS AND NUTS USED TO ATTACH THE FUEL TANK BRACKETS TO THE FRAMES WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK BRACKET BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR THE HANGING TANK TO CONTACTTHE TIRES OF THE DRIVE AXLE AND DISRUPT PROPER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THEPOSSIBILITY ALSO EXISTS FOR THE DISLODGED TANK TO SLIDE INTO A TRAFFIC LANE,PRESENTING A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR IN EITHER CASE.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 81V099000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: September 1st, 1979
Manufactured End Date: May 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: July 7th, 1983

Defect Summary:
THE SAFETY CHAIN BALE PORTION OF THE TOWING ATTACHMENT MAY HAVE A DEFECTIVE WELD IN A CRITICAL AREA. IF THE TRAILER HITCH SHOULD BECOME UNLATCHED OR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT CAUSING THE TRUCK AND TRAILER TO BECOME SEPARATED, THE RESULTING FORCES COULD CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE SAFETY CHAIN BALE. A FAILURE OF THIS PART WOULD ALLOW COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE TRUCK AND TRAILER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Corrective Summary:
UPON SEPARATION, THE TRAILER WOULD TRAVEL OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM COULD BRING IT TO A STOP. A VEHICLE ACCIDENT COULD RESULT. CORRECTIVE ACTION: THE SAFETY CHAIN BALE WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS WITH TOW HITCH.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; SAFETY CHAIN BALE.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 81V097000
Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: June 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: July 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: August 14th, 1981

Defect Summary:
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, BOTH THE AIR BRAKE HOSE CONNECTIONS AND THE AIR PRESSURE GAUGES FOR THE DUEL BRAKE FEATURE MAY HAVE BEEN CONNECTED IN REVERSE ORDER. INCORRECTLY CONNECTED BRAKE HOSES IN COMBINATION WITH AN AIR LEAK IN EITHER THE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE SYSTEMS COULD CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE ON ONE OR MORE AXLES.

Corrective Summary:
VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND MODIFICATIONS PERFORMED TO BRAKE HOSE CONNECTIONS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; AIR BRAKE HOSES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE BOB-TAIL CONDITION(WITHOUT TRAILER) THE BRAKES COULD FAIL ON ALL AXLES. IF A TRAILER IS BEINGTOWED, THE BRAKING CAPABILITY WOULD STILL BE GREATLY IMPAIRED. IN EITHER CASEAN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.NOTE: IN THE EVENT OF AN AIR LEAK IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, THE LOW AIR PRESSUREWARNING SYSTEM WOULD ALERT THE DRIVER. ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO HAVE THEVEHICLE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY AT THE NEAREST FREIGHTLINER DEALER.