The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently published a list of recalls made in February.

Freightliner recalled 2,700 Sterling Acterras made last year because incorrect wiring of the instrument lighting dimmer switch can cause it to fail. This could result in a loss of the instrument cluster lighting. Nearly 3,000 Sterling Acterras made last year also were recalled for an undersized ground wire for the defroster blower motor switch that can cause the switch to overheat and fail. This results in a loss of the defrosting system.
Owner notification on both Acterra recalls will begin April 24. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Freightliner is also recalling 16,000 1999 truck, bus and motor home chassis on various Freightliner, Thomas Built, Orion and Western Star models equipped with certain TRW tie rod assemblies built with 24-DL ball sockets. The tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness that can lead to premature wear of the socket. If this condition occurs, the driver can lose control, possibly resulting in a crash.
Owner notification was scheduled to begin in March. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
Nearly 1,000 International 1652, IC and bus models from 2000 and 2001 equipped with hydraulic brakes and automatic transmissions have been recalled. Misalignment of the brake pedal can cause delayed brake light activation during light braking applications. Owner notification began Feb. 19. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact International at 1-800-448-7825.
International also recalled 2,955 model 1996-2001 trucks equipped with Haldex automatic slack adjusters and long stroke brake chambers with Dana brakes. On these trucks the automatic slack adjuster anchor brackets can fail due to fatigue fracture and completely separate, causing the slack adjusters to function as manual slack adjusters. If the support bracket for an automatic slack adjuster fails, the brakes at that wheel end will not automatically adjust. As the brake linings wear, the vehicle will have reduced braking capacity, increasing the risk of a crash. Owner notification began Feb. 22. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact International at 1-800-448-7825.
Nearly 2000 Kenworth T600, T800, C500 and W900 trucks from model years 1999-2001 have been recalled. The affected trucks are equipped with an optional firewall-mounted circuit breaker where the main cab power and battery power leads were attached incorrectly. This condition can result in the main cab power being unprotected. If a wiring short occurred anywhere along the cab power circuit, the available battery power could arc and cause damage or a fire. Owner notification began in March. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kenworth at 1-206-828-5418.
Peterbilt has recalled 6,623 Model 330, 357, 378 and 385 trucks with 1996-2001 model years for noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards regarding seat belt anchorage. Some fasteners used to attach the shoulder belt anchor bracket to the cab structure were omitted during production. Owner notification was to begin during March 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4171.