Freightliner, Sterling dealers prep for 45,000 recalled vehicles

PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 14, 2000) — As a North America-wide recall of vehicles equipped a defective anti-lock braking system continues, Freightliner LLC expects its dealer network to inspect about 45,000 trucks, tractors, and buses equipped with faulty antilock brakes sold by its Freightliner, Sterling, and Thomas Built Buses subsidiaries.

To expedite inspections and repairs, both Freightliner and Sterling dealers will be authorized to perform the warranty work on any Freightliner LLC vehicle included in this recall, the company said.

The recall affects air-braked vehicles made between Feb. 13, 1998, and Aug.16, 2000, with Bendix Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) EC17-1030R electronic control units (ECU). According to Bendix, this braking system defect involves 300,000 vehicles industry-wide.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a first-priority recall for bus and emergency vehicles. The second and third phases of the recall, not yet in force, involves commercial trucks and tractors.

“We are strongly advising our customers that to eliminate the risk of temporary brake failure in the affected vehicles, the defective Bendix ECU must be replaced, in addition to the correction of any sensor wiring or tone ring problems,” said Jim Hebe, president of Freightliner LLC. “Our dealerships are available around the clock to inspect any of our buses and trucks that are affected.”

Freightliner said new ECUs are available from Bendix in limited quantities beginning in mid-September to address the first phase of recall, which involves buses and motor coaches. To complete the next phases of the recall, Bendix advisories have said ECUs would be available by Spring 2001. More details about the defect, and availability of ECUs, are available from the Bendix Communications Center at 1-800-478-1793.

To answer questions and direct customers to the appropriate resources for help, Freightliner recommends calling its toll-free customer assistance centre — 1-800-FTL-HELP (1-800-385-4357) or visiting www.bendixabsrecallfreightliner.com.