FL970 Loss of Steering from Missing Tie Rod Fastener – 2022-2023 Freightliner FCCC Thomas Built Bus & Western Star

April 4, 2023 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V238000

Loss of Steering from Missing Tie Rod Fastener

A detached steering arm can result in a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V238000

Manufacturer Daimler TruckseBay logo North America, LLC

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 306

 

Summary

Daimler TruckseBay logo North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2022 FCCC MT45G, S2C 106, 2022-2023 FCCC MT50E, MT55, S2RV Chassis, 2023 FreightlinereBay logo 108 SD, 114 SD, Cascadia, M2 106, FCCC XCM Chassis, XCR Chassis, XCS Chassis, Thomas Built Bus SAF-T-LINER C2, and Western StareBay logo 4700, 47X, 4900, 49X commercial buses. The tie rod may be missing a fastener, allowing the steer arm to detach.

 

Remedy

DTNA will inspect and repair or replace the tie rod assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL970.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check for Daimler Trucks North America Recalls

 


August 2023
FL970 (D23R6)
NHSTA #23V-238 (Non-School Bus)
NHTSA #23V-259 (School Bus)
Transport Canada #2023-206 (Non-School Bus)
Transport Canada #2023-219 (School Bus)

Subject: Steer Axle Castle Nut and Cotter Pin

Models Affected: 2, 3 & 5 DETROITTM Front Steer Axles

 

General Information

Daimler TruckseBay logo North America LLC, on behalf of its DETROITTM Powertrain Division is initiating Recall Campaign D23R6 to check the tie rod end castle nut torque on some model 2, 3 and 5 front steer axles built between December 15, 2020 and April 14, 2021.

Replacement parts from your facing Parts Distribution Center may now be ordered. Refer to “Table 1” for the applicable part or kit number. If our records show that your dealership has ordered any vehicle(s) involved in campaign D23R6, a list of the customers and vehicle identification numbers will be available on the DTNA Portal. Please refer to this list when ordering parts for this recall.

There are approximately 410 units affected by recall campaign – D23R6 in U.S. and Canada.

Additional Repairs

Dealers must complete all outstanding Recall and Field Service campaigns prior to the sale or delivery of a vehicle. A Dealer will be liable for any progressive damage that results from its failure to complete campaigns before sale or delivery of a vehicle. Owners may be liable for any progressive damage that results from failure to complete campaigns within a reasonable time after receiving notification. Please contact Warranty Campaigns for consideration of additional charges prior to performing the repair.

 

Travel Time and Mileage 

Due to the complexity of this safety-related repair and the tools required, this campaign does not qualify for travel time and mileage reimbursement. The repairs for this campaign need to be completed at an Authorized DTNA Service Facility.

 

Work Instructions

Please refer to the attached work instructions. Prior to performing the recall campaign, check the vehicle for a completion sticker (Form WAR260).  

 

Replacement Parts

Table 1 – Replacement Parts for D23R6 (FL970)

NOTE: Only 5% of replacement is expected. Do not overstock replacement parts.

Campaign Group Part Description Part Number Quantity
ALL Groups

95% of repairs will only use this part

PIN-COTTER,1 3/4 X 1/823-00800-4072
A TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033079031
B TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033068031
C TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033074031
D TIE ROD ASMMBA 68133004031
E TIE ROD ASMMBA 68133003031
F TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033078031
G TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033066031
H TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033065031
I TIE ROD ASMMBA 68133006031
J TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033088031
K TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033083031
L TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033070031
M TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033090031
N TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033073031
O TIE ROD ASMMBA 68033153011

NOTE: If part number is unavailable, follow supersession chain to currently available service replacement part number.

 

Corrective Procedure

Inspection of the Tie Rod

1. Check the base label (Form WAR259) for a completion sticker for FL970 (Form WAR261), indicating this work has been done. The base label is usually located on the passenger-side door, about 12 inches (30 cm) below the door latch. If a completion sticker is present, no work is required. If a completion sticker is not present, proceed to the next step.

2. Park vehicle on a level surface, shut down engine, and set parking brake. Chock tires.

3. Open the hood.

 

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

Diesel engine exhaust and some of its constituents are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm.

  • Always start and operate an engine in a well ventilated area.
  • If operating an engine in an enclosed area, vent the exhaust to the outside.
  • Do not modify or tamper with the exhaust system or emission control system.

 

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

To avoid injury before starting and running the engine, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, parking brake is set, and the wheels are blocked.

 

WARNING

ENGINE EXHAUST

To avoid injury from inhaling engine exhaust, always operate the engine in a well-ventilated area. Engine exhaust is toxic.

 

4. Start engine (key ON, engine ON), and turn the steering wheel to full right, as shown in Fig. 1.

5. Turn ignition OFF with park brake set.

 

5. Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod end. See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

 

6. Use a paint pen to mark the tie rod bolt, tie rod castle nut, and tie rod arm, as shown in Fig. 4.

 

7. Tighten the castle nut to 130 lbf·ft (176 N·m), and inspect if either the tie rod bolt, tie rod castle nut, or tie rod arm have moved from the initial marked position. Do any of these components move after tightening the castle nut?

YES → Go to the Tie Rod Assembly Replacement procedure.

NO → Install a new cotter pin in the tie rod end.

 

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

Diesel engine exhaust and some of its constituents are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm.

  • Always start and operate an engine in a well ventilated area.
  • If operating an engine in an enclosed area, vent the exhaust to the outside.
  • Do not modify or tamper with the exhaust system or emission control system.

 

WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY

To avoid injury before starting and running the engine, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, parking brake is set, and the wheels are blocked.

 

WARNING

ENGINE EXHAUST

To avoid injury from inhaling engine exhaust, always operate the engine in a well-ventilated area. Engine exhaust is toxic.

8. Start engine (key ON, engine ON),and turn the steering wheel to full left then turn ignition OFF again with park brake set.

9. Repeat steps 5 through 7 for the front, left-hand side tie rod cotter pin.

a. Once both sides have been inspected and no further repair is needed based on the inspection results, proceed to step 10.

10. Repair is now complete, go to the “Completion Stickers” section below.

 

Replacement of the Tie Rod Assembly

NOTE: Only perform this repair procedure when instructed to do so by step 7 of the ‘Inspection of the Tie Rod’ procedure.

1. Replace the tie rod assembly. For instructions, see Group 33 of the applicable workshop manual.

2. Perform a full vehicle alignment. For instructions, see Group 33 and Group 35 of the applicable workshop manual.

IMPORTANT: If the vehicle is equipped with an APS3 steering gear, it must be calibrated when an axle alignment is performed. For calibration instructions, see Group 46 of the applicable workshop manual.

3. Test drive the vehicle in order to calibrate the electronic stability control system (ESC).

4. Clean a spot on the base label (Form WAR259), and attach a campaign completion sticker for FL970 (Form WAR260), indicating this work has been completed.

 

Completion Stickers

  • Upon completion of Recall Campaign FL970 (D23R6), clean a spot on the base label (Form WAR259), write the Recall Campaign Number FL970 (D23R6), on a blank, completion sticker (Form WAR260), and attach the completion sticker to the base label.
  • Completion Sticker and Base Label Ordering Info: DTNA Portal > Service > Chassis Service Information > Order Literature (Warranty and Chassis Service) > Warranty

 

 


Chronology :

Mid-February 2023, DTNA received a report on an incident involving failed tie rod assembly and opened a preliminary investigation. Upon returned failed part analysis, it was determined that the driver’s side tie rod disengaged from the steering arm during low speed maneuvering.

Around late February 2023 through early March 2023, DTNA identified that the subject vehicle experiencing the failure, was re-worked at a different station due to certain requirements, and was not manufactured through standard process involving multiple inspection points.

In about mid-March 2023, DTNA identified a population of certain axles, that were manufactured at a rework station. DTNA opened an official investigation immediately following receiving this notice of a possible presence of a defect, and on March 29, 2023, out of an abundance of caution, DTNA decided to initiate a new voluntary safety recall to campaign all the listed vehicles. As of March 31st 2023, DTNA is aware of 1 field report and 0 warranty claims related to missing front steer axle tie rod castle nut cotter pin.

DTNA is not aware of any accidents or injuries due to this defect condition. On April 7 2023, DTNA finalized the affected population after further determining precise vocational application of the vehicles. On May 26, 2023, DTNA amended the Defect Information Report to clarify and consolidate the model listing (to facilitate reading comprehension with no change to the population). DTNA developed a final remedy for this issue and on June 23, 2023, DTNA updated the description of the remedy section of its Defect Information Report.

 


20 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
FCCCMT45G2022
FCCCMT50E2022-2023
FCCCMT552022-2023
FCCCS2C2022
FCCCS2RV2022-2023
FCCCXCM2023
FCCCXCR2023
FCCCXCS2023
FREIGHTLINEReBay logo108SD2023
FREIGHTLINEReBay logo114SD2023
FREIGHTLINEReBay logoCASCADIA2023
FREIGHTLINEReBay logoM22023
THOMAS BUILT BUSESSAF-T-LINER C22023
WESTERN STAReBay logo47002023
WESTERN STAReBay logo47X2023
WESTERN STAReBay logo49002023
WESTERN STAReBay logo49X2023

 


18 Associated Documents

Amended Defect Information Report

RMISC-23V238-3664.pdf 756.283KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-23V238-4104.PDF 219.843KB

 


Recall 573 Report – April 7, 2023

RCLRPT-23V238-1694.PDF 221.911KB

 


Recall 573 Report – April 7, 2023

RCLRPT-23V238-8120.PDF 221.911KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-23V238-7045.pdf 645.674KB

 


Recall 573 Report – April 20, 2023

RCLRPT-23V238-1713.PDF 221.984KB

 


Recall 573 Report May 31, 2023

RCLRPT-23V238-6650.PDF 220.755KB

 


Amended Defect Information Report

RMISC-23V238-6697.pdf 953.203KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-23V238-2389.pdf 1101.015KB

 


ISSUED Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RIONL-23V238-5547.pdf 249.901KB

 


Recall 573 Report – June 23, 2023

RCLRPT-23V238-8204.PDF 220.968KB

 


Amended Defect Information Report

RMISC-23V238-2261.pdf 328.553KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-23V238-5199.pdf 169.659KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-23V238-2766.pdf 1104.449KB

 


Body Builder Release Notice

RMISC-23V238-5346.pdf 184.581KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-23V238-8897.pdf 648.002KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2023-3

RCLQRT-23V238-0177.PDF 211.287KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2023-4

RCLQRT-23V238-8209.PDF 211.386KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=23V238&docType=RCL

 


 

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