VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
Safety risk
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
THESE VEHICLES HAVE DUAL AXLE STEERING WITH A HYDRAULIC VALVE WHICH DIVERTS POWER ASSIST FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER AS NECESSARY. THE HYDRAULIC VALVE CAN BE CONTAMINATED CAUSING THE VALVE TO MALFUNCTION.
Safety risk
IF THE VALVE FAILS, THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST OR THE INABILITY TO SWITCH POWER STEERING ASSIST FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. THIS WILL INHIBIT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING CONTROL VALVE AND PARKING BRAKE INTERLOCK FOR PROPER OPERATION. CONTAMINATED OR MALFUNCTIONING UNITS WILL BE REPLACED.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.