NHTSA Recall 07V470000
Filed by Pierce Manufacturing. Component: Suspension. Reported 2007-10-05. An estimated 2,604 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
ON CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION, A PITMAN ARM MIGHT FRACTURE UNDER SEVERE LOAD CAUSED BY THREE LOADING CONDITIONS. IN ALL CASES, THE FRONT AXLE MUST BE TURNED FULL LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE (1) SIMULTANEOUSLY BACKING UP AND BRAKING HARD, (2) DRIVING ONE WHEEL OVER OR AGAINST A CURB OR (3) STEERING THE FRONT AXLE FULL LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THE SERVICE BRAKE APPLIED. THESE ARE ALL LOW OR NO -SPEED EVENTS.
Risk
SUCH A BREAK COULD LEAD TO THE SUSPENSION LOSING ONE OF ITS ANCHOR POINTS, THEREBY POTENTIALLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
What the manufacturer will do
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PITMAN ARMS WITH PITMAN ARMS MADE OF HIGHER STRENGTH MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 920-832-3000.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.