Model year record

2003 UNIMOG U500

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V457000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
80
Reported to NHTSA
2006-11-30
Owners notified
2007-03-28

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE EAS TRANSMISSION OPTION, A PROGRAMMING LOGIC ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FROM DISENGAGING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE (LOW-LOW RANGE).

Safety risk

THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT CAPABLE OF OVERCOMING THE ENGINE TORQUE TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEEL ENDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. IF THE CLUTCH FAILS TO DISENGAGE THE ENGINE MUST BE SHUT-DOWN IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM TO PROVIDE REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. THE GEAR SHIFT ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED AND TWO RELAYS WILL BE ADDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V237000

Power train: clutch assembly

Component
Power train: clutch assembly
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
54
Reported to NHTSA
2006-07-03
Owners notified
2006-08-24

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SHIFT, AIR MAY LEAK INTO THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AT THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING SEAL PREVENTING THE CLUTCH FROM OPENING COMPLETELY AND POTENTIALLY PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL.

Safety risk

FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH TO OPEN COMPLETELY OR THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL COULD MAKE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULTY TO BRING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD WHILE STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CENTRAL RELEASE BEARING AND UPDATE THE CLUTCH ACTUATION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V537000

Tires

Component
Tires
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER LLC
Vehicles affected
45
Reported to NHTSA
2004-11-08
Owners notified
2004-12-03

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN 365/85 R20 TIRES, THE TIRES MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MAXIMUM LOAD AND MAXIMUM SPEED RATINGS.

Safety risk

VEHICLE OVER-LOADING AND TIRE UNDER-INFLATION WILL RESULT IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER AND INJURY TO OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WITH MICHELIN 395/85 R20, AND AN UPDATED GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR) CERTIFICATION LABEL WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V163000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
28
Reported to NHTSA
2003-05-01
Owners notified
2003-05-31

Defect description

CERTAIN TRUCKS DO NOT COMPLY WITH SEVERAL FEDERAL STANDARDS: (1) THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABELS, PART 567, "CERTIFICATION;" (2) TIRE LABELS, FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 120, "IRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;" (3) INCOMPLETE VEHICLE DOCUMENT, PART 568, "VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN TWO OR MORE STAGES;" (4) FRONT SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;" (5) LIGHTING FUNCTIONALITY, PART 393; (6) DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS;" AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES;" AND (7) SEAT BELT LATCHES ON TWIN PASSENGER SEAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

Manufacturer remedy

ONLY TWO OF THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN SOLD TO CONSUMERS AND BOTH VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. THE REMAINING VEHICLES ARE AT DEALERSHIPS AND WILL BE REPAIRED AT THOSE LOCATIONS. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION IS NECESSARY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

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.