Volvo joins Bendix ABS recall

GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 8, 2000) — Volvo Trucks North America issued recall notices for more than 18,000 Volvo trucks made between Dec. 1, 1997, and Aug. 7, 2000, due to a potentially defective antilock braking system.

At the centre of the recall is the EC-17 antilock braking system made by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, which has experienced temporary braking failures at low speeds.

Volvo said it has stopped all deliveries in North America of new trucks with the affected ECU. The company will replace the ECU in all recently built trucks with the Bendix system. Trucks manufactured with Bendix ABS before or after dates are unaffected.

Earlier this week, Freightliner LLC issued a similar recall notice affecting more than 6000 vehicles made by its Freightliner, Sterling, and Thomas Built Buses divisions.

According to NHTSA, a faulty signal generated by the ECU may temporarily activate the ABS on one or more wheels during braking at low speeds. The result is the loss of full braking ability. The temporary loss of braking performance occurs at speeds below 20 mph for up to four seconds.

Volvo said some of its trucks may have a wheel-end sensor that rubs on the tone ring. These trucks in critical applications will be among the first ones recalled and repaired by Volvo. Volvo models are not affected by other equipment issues noted by Bendix. Volvo models do not have chafed ABS wires or loose tone rings because different manufacturing processes and designs are used.

To date, Volvo Trucks has had five reports of in-service incidents that may have been related to the Bendix ABS. The company has received no reports of accidents or injuries resulting from this problem.

According to Bendix, a total of approximately 300,000 commercial trucks and buses are affected by this recall. Bendix has begun increasing production of replacement components from 9000 to 39,000 units monthly. Since the current supply of replacement ECUs is inadequate to recall all vehicles simultaneously, Bendix and truck and bus makers agreed to a program that ensures that vehicles in the most critical applications are repaired first.

The NHTSA-industry agreement says that school buses will be recalled first, followed by straight trucks in critical applications such as refuse collection. The final phases of the recall will see new components made available for the repair of other straight trucks and tractors. Volvo Trucks expects to begin the recall of straight trucks used in critical applications by mid -October or early November. Volvo Trucks will continue working with Bendix and NHTSA to complete the recall as quickly as possible.

Volvo is urging owners of the affected trucks to continue to drive defensively and to anticipate stops. If operators sense a loss of braking and believe they may not be able to safely stop, they should apply the parking brakes by pulling out the yellow dash knob. If the ABS warning light comes on, operators should have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible at a Volvo truck dealer.

Volvo customers can determine whether their trucks have the affected Bendix ABS by going online at www.volvotrucks.com. They may also call Volvo Trucks toll-free at 1-800-541-6535.