23E031 Steer Axle Fasteners May Come Loose – Meritor Front Drive Steer Axles, models MFS & FF

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23E-031 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Submission Date : Meritor, Inc. APR 11, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23E-031 Manufacturer Recall No. : NR Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Meritor, Inc. Address : 2135 West Maple Road Troy MI 48084 Company phone : 248-435-1725 Population : Number of potentially involved : 65 Estimated percentage with defect : NR Equipment Information : Brand / Trade 1 : Model : Meritor MFS Part No. : MFS20133ANK66 Size : NR Function : Axle Descriptive Information : Meritor received report from a customer regarding end play adjustment. As a result of the investigation, it was observed that some of the keeper spindle nuts did not have the keeper installed correctly. The affected axles were built between 1/15/2020 and 11/05/2022 at the Laurinburg manufacturing site. Production Dates : JAN 15, 2020 – NOV 05, 2022 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23E-031 Page 2 Brand / Trade 2 : Model : Meritor FF Part No. : FF961LX296 Size : NR Function : Axle Descriptive Information : Meritor received report from a customer regarding end play adjustment. As a result of the investigation, it was observed that some of the keeper spindle nuts did not have the keeper installed correctly. The affected axles were built between 1/15/2020 and 11/05/2022 at the Laurinburg manufacturing site. Production Dates : JAN 15, 2020 – NOV 05, 2022 Brand / Trade 3 : Model : Meritor MFS Part No. : MFS20133ANK86 Size : NR Function : Axle Descriptive Information : Meritor received report from a customer regarding end play adjustment. As a result of the investigation, it was observed that some of the keeper spindle nuts did not have the keeper installed correctly. The affected axles were built between 1/15/2020 and 11/05/2022 at the Laurinburg manufacturing site. Production Dates : JAN 15, 2020 – NOV 05, 2022 Description of Defect : Description of the Defect : Improper assembly of the keeper spindle nut can result in nut being able to rotate on the spindle threads. If the nut loosens over time, the wheel end may separate from the steer axle. FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : The OEMs determined potential safety issue could result in potential injury, loss of vehicle control, and increase risk of crash. Description of the Cause : Installing the keepers on the pro-torque nut is a manual process and the standard operating procedure was not followed by the operator. The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23E-031 Page 3 Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : The driver would initially feel vibration from the steer axle. Involved Components : Component Name : NR Component Description : NR Component Part Number : NR Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : NR Address : NR NR Country : NR Chronology : 12/12/2022 – Notified by customer that it was observed that the orange keeper was not installed correctly from the Meritor factory on some of the ProTorq® spindle nuts. 12/12/2022 – RCM / 8D # CC23-0034 was opened for improper keeper installation on front axles by Laurinburg. Front axle quality technicians were assigned to validate engagement of keepers and capture pictures of keeper installation and on all ProTorq® spindle nuts built on the front axle line. 12/21/2022 – Engineering began working on analysis involving improper keeper installation reported by customer. 1/11/2023 – Engineering provide summary of investigation to product safety and compliance counsel and continued investigation. 2/6/2023 – Meritor Product Safety and Compliance Committee reviewed engineering technical position conclusion and determined a possible safety related concern has been identified and impacted customers should be notified. 2/6 – 3/23/2023 – Communication with customers conducted. 3/23/2023 – Meritor notified that Spartan Fire filed a 573 Defect Report with NHTSA. 3/31/2023 – Meritor notified that Capacity of Texas filed a 573 Defect Report with NHTSA. The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23E-031 Page 4 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : Meritor will work with affected vehicle manufacturers to inspect and replace the pro-torque nut keepers as necessary on the subject steer axles. The vehicles that have been remedied would have been covered through the normal warranty process. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : The remedy is to correct the installation of the pro-torque nut keeper within the axle. The remedy component would be the same. Meritor issued a quality alert in production, verified in-house inventory, and put in place new corrective action processes by 12/26/2022. Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : The affected OEM’s will conduct the recall and will process notifications. Meritor will support, as required. Planned Dealer Notification Date : NR – NR Planned Owner Notification Date : NR – NR Purchaser Information : The following manufacturers purchased this defective/noncompliant equipment for possible use or installation in new motor vehicles or new items of motor vehicle equipment: Name : Spartan Fire Address : 1541 Reynolds Road Charlotte MI 48813 Country : US Company Phone : 5715884700 Name : Capacity of Texas Address : 401 Capacity Drive Longview TX 75604 Country : US Company Phone : 9037590610 * NR – Not Reported

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