2012 Autocar Actt problems

What is wrong

Autocar is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 actt heavy duty class 8 terminal tractors manufactured from february 23, 2011, through june 24, 2011. These vehicles may develop cracks in the top flange of the right-hand frame rail at the clearance cut-out for the engine air intake system. This is due to high stress induced at the location of the cut-out when the vehicle is subjected to severe duty cycles.

Risk

Over time, cracking in the frame rail may propagate and cause the frame rail to fail, resulting in changes in vehicle handling and/or increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

An owner notification letter will be mailed which will provide instructions for scheduling repair of the vehicle at an authorized autocar service facility. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 28, 2011. Owners may contact autocar at 1‑765‑489‑5499.

Recall number 11V405000 · Recall details

This investigation was opened based on a fleet complaint alleging delayed throttle response which could potentially lead to extended stopping distances and/or increase the risk of a crash.Autocar responded to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter and provided test data including its FMVSS 124 validation data.ODI reviewed Autocar's testing procedures and results with the federal safety agency's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance and Office of Rule Making.The test procedure was acceptable as were the results.In an effort to further quantify the safety risk, ODI surveyed nine fleets operating the same subject vehicles.Of the eight reporting fleets, only one expressed concerns similar to the fleet submitting the VOQ.Of all the fleets contacted, none had experienced a crash where the throttle delay was a contributing factor.Autocar provided a modified direct wire throttle to the initial fleet as a customer satisfaction campaign.This configuration resulted in an improved throttle response.In light of the low rate of delayed throttle response on the subject vehicles and Autocar's actions to improve the throttle response on the complaint vehicles, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI complaint cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference using the following (ODI) number: 10471829

PE13011