2015 Autocar Xpert problems

What is wrong

Autocar, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Xpert, 2010-2020 Xspotter, 2008-2020 Xpeditor, 2008-2010 WXLL and WX vehicles. A worn parking brake control valve can leak air into the vent line, creating excessive back pressure and causing the parking brake to release unexpectedly.

Risk

The unexpected release of the parking brake may allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will remove the vent line and fitting from the valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 23, 2023. Owners may contact Autocar customer service at 1‑888‑218‑3611. Autocar's number for this recall is ACX-2023 ACTT-2301.

Recall number 23V023000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Autocar Industries, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Xspotter and Xpert vehicles manufactured March 2, 2015, to September 22, 2016. The castle nuts on the steering linkage assembly may not have been tightened properly.

Risk

If the castle nuts were not properly tightened, the cotter pin could shear and the steering linkage assembly components could separate, resulting in the loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Autocar will notify owners, and authorized Autocar service repair facilities will repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Autocar customer service at 1‑888‑218‑3611. Autocar's number for this recall is MDTT-1602.

Recall number 16V723000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Autocar Industries, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Xpert and XSpotter vehicles manufactured September 24, 2013, to April 22, 2015, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Risk

If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there could be is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Cummins will notify owners on behalf of Autocar, and Cummins service centers will administer the repairs which include securing the ends of the 90-degree elbow and reprogramming the electronic control module (ECM) with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Autocar customer service at 1‑765‑589‑5499 or Cummins Inc. at 1‑800‑343‑7357. Autocar's number for this recall is MDTT-01.

Recall number 15V281000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Autocar Industries, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Xpert trucks manufactured November 30, 2011, to November 5, 2014 and having a 164-inch wheelbase and a sweeper body which is mounted with a gap between the cab and the body (where optional equipment could be installed). When being driven at speeds above 25mph, the affected vehicles may have an unexpected bounce.

Risk

The unexpected bounce may cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall is still under development. An interim notice was mailed to owners in August 2014. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Autocar customer service at 1‑765‑489‑5499. Autocar's number for this recall is M-1408.

Recall number 14V397000 · Recall details

On April 1, 2020, following information received from the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) network of fleet contacts, ODI opened PE20-003 to investigate reports of vehicle roll away in certain model year (MY) 2008-2020 Autocar and Mack refuse trucks equipped with certain Bendix PP-1 push-pull pneumatic park brake control valves with a pipe-away exhaust configuration. Prior to ODI’s investigation,[KK(1] Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix), the subject component manufacturer, published two related technical service bulletins (TSBs): Bendix Push-Pull Type Control Valves Service Data SD-03-3611 Rev. 007 (2019-03) and Bendix PP-1 & PP-8 Park Control Valve Wear and Replacement Notice Technical Bulletin TCH-003-056 (2019-11-20). ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to motor vehicle manufacturers Autocar LLC (Autocar) and Volvo Trucks North America/Mack Trucks, Inc. (Volvo/Mack) and motor vehicle equipment manufacturer Bendix. IR response data from all three manufacturers was analyzed and cross-referenced to gain further understanding. To date, ODI is aware of 5 vehicle roll-away incidents related to the alleged defect condition in the subject vehicles equipped with the subject components, resulting in 4 crashes and 1 injury. On December 9, 2021, Volvo/Mack notified the agency of a safety recall (21V953) to address a safety defect in certain MY 2008-2019 TerraPro (MRU) and MY 2019-2022 TerraPro (TE) trucks originally equipped with the subject components. [KK(2] On January 1, 2023, Autocar notified the agency of a safety recall (23V023) to address a safety defect in certain MY 2008-2020 ACX (Xpeditor), MY 2012-2020 ACMD (Xpert), MY 2010-2020 ACTT (Xspotter), MY 2008-2010 WX and MY 2008-2010 WXLL trucks. Volvo/Mack and Autocar's recall remedies involve removing the vent line fitting threaded into the exhaust port of the subject PP-1 valve. [VD(3] Both Autocar and Mack have stopped equipping new refuse trucks with park control valves using the exhaust pipe-away configuration. After discussions between ODI and Bendix concerning ways to prevent new PP-1 valves from being sold and installed with a potential for the exhaust to become restricted, Bendix will take the following actions: 1) issue a letter to all original equipment (OE) customers with important safety information warning them about the safety risk of attaching plumbing to the exhaust port when the subject component is used as a park control valve; and 2) affix a warning label on all aftermarket parts warning not to install pipe-away exhaust port plumbing. In view of the recalls being conducted by Volvo/Mack and Autocar, and the actions taken by Bendix, ODI has closed this Preliminary Evaluation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist in equipment or other model or MY vehicles that have not been recalled. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted.

PE20003