Brake Rod Recall: Safety Risks for Textron Vehicles

Textron Specialized Vehicles has issued a recall for certain 2024-2025 E-Z-GO Liberty LSV, Cushman Tour LSV, and Cushman Hauler Pro vehicles due to a defect in the brake linkage rod. The rod may bend when force is applied, leading to potential brake failure, which increases the risk of a crash. Affected owners will be notified, and the defective parts will be replaced free of charge.

Key Highlights:

Recall ID: NHTSA Campaign Number 24V709000
Affected Models: 2024-2025 E-Z-GO Liberty LSV, Cushman Tour LSV, Cushman Hauler Pro
Potential Units Affected: 1,137
Issue: The brake linkage rod may bend, affecting brake performance
Remedy: Free replacement of the brake linkage rod by authorized dealers
Owner Notifications: Expected to begin on November 23, 2024

Details of the Recall:

The recall, identified by NHTSA Campaign Number 24V709000, affects approximately 1,137 vehicles manufactured by Textron Specialized Vehicles. The specific models involved are 2024-2025 E-Z-GO Liberty LSV, Cushman Tour LSV, and Cushman Hauler Pro. These vehicles are equipped with hydraulic brakes, and the issue relates to the brake linkage rod (part number 10047664), which connects the brake pedal to the bell crank.

Defect Description:
During testing, it was discovered that the brake linkage rod does not consistently meet the required 250-lb proof load specified by voluntary compliance standards, potentially leading to brake application failure. The defect was traced to an engineering oversight in the side load tolerance. Although no field failures have been reported, the risk remains that the rod could bend under certain conditions, compromising the hydraulic brake system and increasing the likelihood of a crash.

Safety Risk:
The bent linkage rod could impair brake functionality, leading to reduced braking ability. This condition poses a significant safety hazard, especially when the vehicle is subjected to high braking force, potentially causing accidents.

Remedy Program:
Textron has initiated a remedy program that involves replacing the brake linkage rod in all affected vehicles at no cost to the owners. The updated rod, part number 10099472, has been redesigned to improve its resistance to bending and compression forces, ensuring better performance under load. Production of vehicles with the improved rod began on September 7, 2024.

Owner Notification:
Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed by November 23, 2024. Owners can contact Textron Specialized Vehicles customer service for further assistance at 706-799-4768, referring to recall number FSB05-24.

For additional information, vehicle owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit nhtsa.gov.

Textron Specialized Vehicles urges all affected owners to promptly schedule a service appointment to resolve this issue and ensure their vehicle’s brakes operate as intended.

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