Volvo, Mack Trucks Issue Voluntary Recall Notices
olvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks issued voluntary recall notices for a combined 1,300 Class 8 trucks to fix potential steering system problems.
The notices, which were posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Web site, affected 289 Volvos and 1,011 Mack CV713 dump trucks. VTNA and Mack are subsidiaries of Swedish heavy-duty manufacturer Volvo AB.
The Volvo models recalled were VHD, VN and VT trucks built this year. The VHD is a vocational truck, while the VN and VT are highway models. Jim McNamara, a Volvo spokes-man, said the company has been selling the trucks since January.
Volvo notified NHTSA about the potential problem March 31, McNamara said. “The issue was discovered during the manufacturing process at Volvo’s New River Valley plant” in Dublin, Va., he added.
An incorrectly installed pinch bolt “could potentially lead to steering shaft separation resulting in [a] loss of control of the vehicle if the pinch bolt were to come loose,” the notice said.
“There have not been any problems or issues reported by customers on this subject,” McNamara said.
It was the second recall in less than six months for VTNA. In January, the company recalled 42,000 trucks amid reports of heat damage to the engine compartment. (Click here for previous coverage.)
NHTSA said carriers can have their trucks inspected starting May 30.
Meanwhile, the Mack recall, which began April 28, involved an error in a component connecting the power steering hose to the steering gears, NHTSA said.
Some models had an air system hose installed between the steering units instead of a high-pressure steering power hose.
“The air hose pressure rating is well below that of the power steering hose and may rupture, causing a loss of power assist, which could result in a crash,” the notice said.
John Walsh, a Mack spokesman, said he did not have any more details about the recall.
In December, Mack recalled more than 4,500 service trucks to repair bolts connected to the mounting bracket that hold the fuel tank to the frame.
This story appears in the May 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
