24-01 – Loss of Power Steering Assist – 2023-2025 Spartan RV K2, K3, & K4 Chassis

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The Shyft Group, Inc.
Month, Date, 2024
IMPORTANT: Safety Notice
SAFETY – RECALL –
Dear Final Stage Manufacturer,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
The Shyft Group, Inc. has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2023, 2024, and 2025 K2, K3, and K4 model Spartan RV chassis. These chassis are equipped with an Independent Front Suspension (IFS) supplied by Cummins-Meritor and steering gear supplied by RH Sheppard.
What is the problem?
The steering gear may have foreign material internal to the gear that could inhibit pressure build within the system when turning to the right, resulting in a loss of the power steering assist.
What is the risk to motor vehicle safety?
A loss of power steering assist could increase the level of effort to steer the vehicle potentially increasing the risk of property damage or a crash.
What should the Final Stage Manufacturer do?
On the attached document, you will find a list of Spartan RV Chassis that have been sold to you. If you agree that the identified chassis contains a safety defect, you are reminded of your responsibility to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in accordance with 49 C.F.R. 573. It is a violation of federal regulation to sell a vehicle subject to a safety recall without the recall first being remedied.
What will Shyft do?
The steering gear will be removed and replaced with a steering gear that is not subject to having foreign material present in the system. This will be done at no charge to you or the consumer.
We will notify owners of the affected vehicles and direct them to the nearest service center to have the remedy applied.
For additional assistance, you may call Spartan RV Chassis Customer Product and Support at 1-800-543-4277
We regret any inconvenience this situation may cause. The Shyft Group, Inc. and its brands are committed to customer safety and satisfaction.
Sincerely,
Spartan RV Chassis

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004
Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-052
The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
Manufacturer Name : Submission Date :
Shyft Group JAN 30, 2024 NHTSA Recall No. : 24V-052 Manufacturer Recall No. : 24-01 Manufacturer Information :
Manufacturer Name : Shyft Group
Address : 1541 Reynolds Road
Charlotte MI 48813 Company phone : 517-543-6400
Population :
Number of potentially involved : 797 Estimated percentage with defect : 5 %
Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2023-2025 Spartan RV Chassis K2, K3, and K4 Vehicle Type : BUSES, MEDIUM & HEAVY VEHICLES Body Style : OTHER Power Train : DIESEL
Descriptive Information : Chassis subject to this recall are equipped with an Independent Front Suspension (IFS) supplied by Cummins-Meritor and steering gear supplied by RH Sheppard. Chassis excluded from this recall are not equipped with either component or system.
Production Dates : AUG 12, 2021 – OCT 17, 2023 VIN Range 1 : Begin : 4VZAU1D94NC091348 End : 4VZAU1D1XRC095341 ✔ Not sequential Description of Defect :
Description of the Defect : The steering gear may have foreign material internal to the gear that could inhibit pressure build within the system when turning to the right resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR
Description of the Safety Risk : A loss of power steering assist could increase the level of effort required to
steer the vehicle when turning to the right thus, potentially increasing the risk of property damage or crash.
Description of the Cause : The sector shaft had the potential to impact the inspection camera ring and chipping the material from the ring and introducing into the steering gear. Identification of Any Warning
that can Occur : A loss of power steering assist could occur without warning.
Involved Components : Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-052 Page 2 Component Name 1 : IFS w/Steering Gear Component Description : Steering Gear Component Part Number : NR Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer
Name : Meritor, Inc.
Address : NR
NR
Country : NR Chronology :
August 9, 2023 – Product Safety and Compliance made aware of 3 complaints involving loss of power steering assist to the right.
September 27, 2023 – Cummins/Meritor provided analysis from RH Sheppard indicating the steering gears from the complainant RV chassis contained foreign material (piece of plastic).
October 3, 2023 – Received RH Sheppard’s 8-D indicating the foreign material was being introduced due to the sector shaft contacting the camera ring.
October 17, 2023 – On-site meeting at RH Sheppard (w/Cummins-Meritor) to walk through their analysis, risk assessment, and to determine scope of problem.
November 2023 – On-going discussions continued regarding the potential risk and defining the scope of the problem.
December 5, 2023 – Fourth complaint received involving loss of power steering assist to the right.
December 15, 2023 – RH Sheppard, through Cummins-Meritor, requested our test vehicle be instrumented and data be collected (e.g. fluid flow and change in level of effort to steer).
December 18, 2023 – Shyft supplied data previously gathered to RH Sheppard and Cummins-Meritor however RH Sheppard insisted on evaluating the test unit by following a UN ECE standard.
January 4, 2024 – Data was reviewed with all parties, RH Sheppard requested an on-site visit with the test coach to witness the condition.
On January 23, Shyft determined there could be a safety related defect within the steering gear on the IFS. The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-052
Page 3
The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
Description of Remedy :
Description of Remedy Program : The steering gear will be removed and replaced with a steering gear that is
not subject to having foreign material present in the system. A reimbursement plan is not needed for this matter as the affected chassis are within their warranty period and claims received would have been honored as a part of the warranty without charge to the consumer. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : The serial number on the gear would represent the date on which changes were made to the inspection process during assembly at RH Sheppard which is traceable to a serial number on the IFS.
RH Sheppard added a protective shield around the protective camera ring on August 18, 2023. Recall Schedule :
Description of Recall Schedule : Shyft does not have dealers for this matter and will rely on the final stage manufacturers to issue a dealer notice.
Planned Dealer Notification Date : NR – NR
Planned Owner Notification Date : MAR 29, 2024 – MAR 29, 2024
* NR – Not Reported

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