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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued brake-related recalls for three truck manufacturers, Daimler Vans USA, Mitsubishi Fuso and Shyft Group, affecting some 6,000 vehicles.
Daimler Vans
The Daimler Vans recall covers 463 2020 Sprinter vans produced from Jan. 16 – Aug. 28, 2020 which might have a brake hose damaged during production.
According to NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 20V-631, “If a brake hose were to be damaged during production, over time and as the material ages, the hose could begin to leak brake fluid, affecting the braking performance of the vehicle, including the potential loss of directional stability when braking, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.”
Related post:
Daimler Recalling Certain Sprinters for Brake Issues
Affected vehicles will be inspected and brake hoses replaced as needed at no cost. Dealers will be notified beginning Nov. 23rd and owners beginning Nov. 30th.
Mitsubishi Fuso
This recall covers 4,332 2019-2021 MITSUBISHI FUSO FEC7T, FECZT, EC9T light-duty trucks which have vacuum pumps that might be adversely affected by heat radiating off the exhaust manifold during normal engine operation.
According to NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 20V-645, “This heat causes the diaphragm in the pump to crack, resulting in loss of vacuum in the vacuum pump. If the vehicle continues to be operated in this condition, the low vacuum lamp will illuminate and as the vacuum pump loses vacuum, the brake pedal will become hard. In the worst case, the power brake assist will become inoperable, causing a crash.”
At this point, no remedy has been determined which has delayed a recall schedule, according to the NHTSA report.
“Initial testing indicates that a heat shielding needs to be installed in the area of the vacuum pump, and that the exhaust port on the pump needs to be routed away from the heat source. Also, a more durable vacuum pump needs to be installed. The final countermeasures are currently in development and testing now and should be available during the 1st quarter of 2021,” according to the report.
Shyft Group
Shyft Group is recalling certain 2021 Utilimaster Aeromaster vehicles built on Ford E-450 chassis. The body mount bracket may chafe the brake lines, eventually rubbing through the brake lines. If the bracket rubs through the brake lines, braking ability may be negatively affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
According to NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 20V-641, potentially 323 units are affected by this recall.
Ultimaster service providers will inspect the brake lines and body-mount brackets for adequate clearance. If necessary, replacement brackets will be installed. Dealers and owners were notified beginning Oct. 16th.
