7/07/14

NHTSA Recall Notice 7.7.14

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V271
Manufacturer : Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.
Make / Model Years : TIFFIN / 2008-2011
Subject : Moisture In Clearance Lights may cause Short


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V275
Manufacturer : Great Dane Trailers
Make / Model Years : GREAT DANE / 2015
Subject : Missing Pintle Hook Bogie Tube Welds


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V276
Manufacturer : Van Hool N.V.
Make / Model Years : VAN HOOL / 2004,2006,2013
Subject : Battery Equalizers-Possible Fire


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V278
Manufacturer : Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : SUZUKI / 2014
Subject : Drive Chain Link may Not be Riveted


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V279
Manufacturer : Mobility Specialists, Inc.
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2007-2008
Subject : Wheelchair Lift/Outer Roll Stop Latching Mechanism


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V280
Manufacturer : Lotus Cars USA, Inc.
Make / Model Years : LOTUS / 2008-2011
Subject : Oil Cooler Line Detachment


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V281
Manufacturer : Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : MITSUBISHI / 2014
Subject : Power Steering Pressure Tube may Chafe


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V283
Manufacturer : PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years : PETERBILT / 2010-2015
Subject : Lack of Air Bag Fault Telltale Lamp


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V287
Manufacturer : Terex South Dakota, Inc.
Make / Model Years : TEREX / 2006-2014
Subject : Frame may Crack


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V288
Manufacturer : Starcraft RV, Inc.
Make / Model Years : STARCRAFT / 2014
Subject : Frame Spring Hanger Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V291
Manufacturer : Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : JAGUAR / 2013-2014
Subject : Rear Brake Pipe Leaking Brake Fluid


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V292
Manufacturer : Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : JAGUAR / 2013
Subject : Control Module Calibration Software/FMVSS 208


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V295
Manufacturer : Ameritrail, Inc.
Make / Model Years : RANCH KING / 2011
Subject : Trailer Brake Actuator may Fail Prematurely


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V296
Manufacturer : NABI Bus, LLC
Make / Model Years : NABI / 2012
Subject : Steering Column Support Bracket may Detach


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V297
Manufacturer : Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years : BLUE BIRD / 2012-2013
Subject : Corrosion of Propane Tank Fuel Line


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V302
Manufacturer : Champion Bus, Inc.
Make / Model Years : CHAMPION BUS / 2014
Subject : Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V303
Manufacturer : Champion Bus, Inc.
Make / Model Years : CHAMPION BUS / 2014
Subject : Hybrid Transmission Software


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V304
Manufacturer : Van Hool N.V.
Make / Model Years : VAN HOOL / 2014-2015
Subject : Driver Seat Belt Anchorage Assembly/FMVSS 210


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V306
Manufacturer : Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years : BLUE BIRD / 2012-2015
Subject : Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V308
Manufacturer : Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years : ALTEC / 2009-2012
Subject : Fiberglass Boom may Conduct Electricity


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V309
Manufacturer : Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years : BLUE BIRD / 2012-2015
Subject : Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V310
Manufacturer : Hyundai Motor Company
Make / Model Years : HYUNDAI / 2010-2012
Subject : Headliner Support Bracket may cause Injury


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V311
Manufacturer : Subaru of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : SUBARU / 2005-2014
Subject : Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V337
Manufacturer : Corp. Micro Bird Inc.
Make / Model Years : MICRO BIRD / 2011-2013
Subject : Corrosion of Propane Tank Fuel Line


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V373
Manufacturer : Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years : CHRYSLER / 2008-2010
DODGE / 2008-2010
Subject : Ignition Switch may Turn Off


7/01/14

NHTSA Recall Notice 6.30.14

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V248
Manufacturer : Jerr-Dan Corporation
Make / Model Years : JERR-DAN / 2007-2014
Subject : Underlift Boom may Drift Down


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V249
Manufacturer : Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC
Make / Model Years : SEAGRAVE / 2013-2014
Subject : Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V250
Manufacturer : Elgin Sweeper Company Inc.
Make / Model Years : ELGIN / 2013
Subject : Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V255
Manufacturer : Lodal, Inc.
Make / Model Years : LODAL / 2011-2013
Subject : Ice May Form in Intake Manifold


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V257
Manufacturer : Champion Bus, Inc.
Make / Model Years : CHAMPION / 2013
Subject : Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V263
Manufacturer : Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : NISSAN / 2014
Subject : Circuit Board Voltage may Result in Shutdown


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V264
Manufacturer : BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : BMW / 2012-2014
Subject : Camshaft Chain Tensioner may cause Engine Stall


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V269
Manufacturer : Eldorado National- Kansas
Make / Model Years : ELDORADO / 2012-2014
Subject : Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V316
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2014
Subject : Loss of Steering Control


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V320
Manufacturer : BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : BMW / 2014
Subject : Rear Shock Absorber may Break


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V335
Manufacturer : Motor Coach Industries
Make / Model Years : MCI / 1993-1995,2006,2008
Subject : Driveshaft may Detach from Motor Coach


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V340
Manufacturer : Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : NISSAN / 9999
Subject : Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V343
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2004-2007
Subject : Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V344
Manufacturer : Mazda North American Operations
Make / Model Years : MAZDA / 2003-2008
Subject : Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V346
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2010-2014
Subject : Knee Contact may Turn Ignition Switch Off


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V348
Manufacturer : BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : BMW / 2001-2006
Subject : Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V349
Manufacturer : Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years : ACURA / 2003
HONDA / 2002-2003
Subject : Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V350
Manufacturer : Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years : LEXUS / 2003-2005
PONTIAC / 2003-2005
TOYOTA / 2003-2005
Subject : Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V351
Manufacturer : Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years : ACURA / 2002-2006
HONDA / 2001-2011
Subject : Driver Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V353
Manufacturer : Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years : ACURA / 2003-2005
HONDA / 2003-2005
Subject : Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V354
Manufacturer : Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years : CHRYSLER / 9999
Subject : Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V355
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : BUICK / 2005-2011
CADILLAC / 2000-2011
CHEVROLET / 2006-2014
Subject : Ignition Switch may Turn Off


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V372
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2013-2014
Subject : Driver's Front Air Bag Inflator Rupture


6/23/14

NHTSA Recall Notice 6.23.14

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V243
Manufacturer : Pierce Manufacturing
Make / Model Years : PIERCE / 2013
Subject : Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V244
Manufacturer : Supreme Corporation
Make / Model Years : STARTRANS / 2013
SUPREME / 2013
Subject : Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V267
Manufacturer : Thor Motor Coach
Make / Model Years : THOR MOTOR COACH / 2014-2015
Subject : Generator Exhaust Routing (Fire/Asphyxiation)


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V268
Manufacturer : Stoughton Trailers, LLC
Make / Model Years : STOUGHTON / 2014
Subject : Trailer Suspension Pivot Bolt Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V270
Manufacturer : Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years : LEXUS / 2013
Subject : Brake Pedal Load Sensing Switch Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V282
Manufacturer : Mazda North American Operations
Make / Model Years : MAZDA / 2008-2011
Subject : Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V289
Manufacturer : Kia Motors Corporation
Make / Model Years : KIA / 2014
Subject : 19" Non-Chrome Wheel Fracture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V298
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : BUICK / 2013
CHEVROLET / 2013
Subject : Passenger Front Air Bag Inflator Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V299
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2014
Subject : Electrical Short Circuit may Disable Air Bags


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V300
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : BUICK / 2012
CHEVROLET / 2012
Subject : Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Not Deploy


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V301
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2014-2015
GMC / 2014-2015
Subject : Absence of Warning Chimes/FMVSS 114, 208


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V313
Manufacturer : Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years : BLUE BIRD / 2008-2013
Subject : Heater Hose may Rupture Resulting in Burns


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V314
Manufacturer : Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years : BLUE BIRD / 2008-2013
Subject : Heater Hose may Rupture Resulting in Burns


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V315
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2012
Subject : Transmission Turbine Shaft Fracture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V317
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : BUICK / 2014
Subject : Wire Splice may Corrode and Break/FMVSS 114, 118


6/16/14

NHTSA Recall Notice 6.16.13

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V258
Manufacturer : Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years : HONDA / 2013
Subject : Passenger Side Driveshaft Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V312
Manufacturer : Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years : LEXUS / 2002-2004
PONTIAC / 2003-2004
TOYOTA / 2002-2004
Subject : Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


6/11/14

A F550 Box Truck - Landscaper Body


I spotted this work truck in my neighborhood and wished to share it.

We like to take pictures of work trucks set up with application-specific equipment.

In this case, we spotted some landscapers busy planting flowers and working out of a box style truck body. From our experience, they usually work out off a pickup or a pickup with a trailer. As we approached, it became clear why the owners chose a box truck. That’s because they need to carry and store hundreds of plants. They keep the plants stored, out of direct sunlight and weather until they are ready to be planted

This Ford F550 is mounted with an enclosed box with a step-well style sidestep. It has an overhead rear door and a swing style side-opening door. 

  
Seldom do you find a truck with better space utilization.  Notice that the interior is finished off with plywood walls mounted with the black “etrack” strips. The etrack provides a connection for the four plywood shelves. This gives the 5 spaces for plant storage. Compare that to storing plants on the floor of a trailer or the back of flatbed, rack style body. The rear step bumper allows for step-up to access the rearmost plants on all levels.


The side door step-well style entrance allows entrances to a "cubby hole" where anyone has access to the front-most plants stored on 5 levels. 


This box truck configuration gives the potential of about 5 times the amount of storage for plants with easy access to the front as well as the rear.

6/10/14

Please call your Congressman ASAP and Urge them to: REJECT THE DAINES AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD BLOCK AN INCREASE TO MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Crash Foundation
 
Greetings!     

This morning, the House of Representatives will vote on amendments to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Bill Fiscal Year 2015. Congressman Daines (R-MT) is offering an anti-truck safety amendment to block any increase in minimum insurance requirements for truck carriers.  

Every year on average 4,000 people die in truck crashes and 100,000 more are injured at a cost of at least $87 billion.

Crashes involving multiple deaths and injuries, similar to the recent tragic crashes in New Jersey and California, happen every week. The total combined damages from these crashes far exceed the current minimum insurance requirements.

The families who suffer terrible losses and injuries should not have to also bear the financial burden of these crashes.


TAKE action now: 
Please call your Congressman ASAP and Urge them to: 

REJECT THE DAINES AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD BLOCK AN INCREASE TO MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS 


To find your Representative and their contact information, please click here.
   
Talking Points:
We urge you to oppose the Daines amendment that would block an increase in minimum insurance requirements for motor carriers in the THUD bill for fiscal year 2015. 

Minimum Insurance Levels for Motor Carriers Need to be Increased
  • Minimum levels of insurance for trucks, currently set at $750,000, have not been increased in over 30 years and are woefully insufficient. 
  • Consequently a portion of the damages and losses caused by motor carriers who carry insurance at or near the minimum is imposed upon the American motoring public. 
  • The underinsured segments of the industry are effectively subsidized by American taxpayers through unreimbursed social welfare programs including Medicaid and Social Security. 
  • If all of the industry were required to absorb more of the losses they cause, significant changes in the industry would occur, resulting in safer highways for all.
FMCSA Report Supports an Increase in Minimum Financial Responsibility

  • In April 2014, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a report on its review of minimum financial responsibility that found current levels to be inadequate.  
  • It found that costs for severe and critical injury crashes can easily exceed $1 million, that current limits do not adequately cover catastrophic crashes and acknowledged that medical care inflation would increase levels to at least $3.2 million.

Additional Reports Support Increasing Minimum Financial Responsibility
  • Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) - This report found that the upper range for liability awards involving death or catastrophic injury is $9-10 million, and recommended that DOT set limits per crash of at least $10 million.
  • Trucking Alliance Review of Crash Settlements - Member companies of the Trucking Alliance voluntarily tracked 8,692 accident settlements between 2005 and 2011. According to the Trucking Alliance, 42 percent of the injury claims could have had no avenue for offsetting all medical costs.  
The Daines amendment would inappropriately block a regulatory process that Congress directed.   

  • Congress gave the DOT Secretary and FMCSA the authority to review the minimum insurance level, and the rule making process, including public comments, should be respected and followed.
  • MAP-21 directed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to review minimum financial responsibility requirements for motor carriers. The Daines amendment would inappropriately block changes necessitated by this review.  


The losses of lives and injuries in the recent tragic crashes in California and in New Jersey are just two examples of the potential for large damages in truck crashes.

The American public should not be forced to subsidize the damages in these crashes.

OPPOSE THE DAINES AMENDMENT 


Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at 703.294.6404.   
 
Thanks,
 
John Lannen's Sgnature
 
John Lannen
Executive Director
Truck Safety Coalition
jlannen@trucksafety.org
703.294.6404

6/09/14

NHTSA Recall Notice 6.9.13

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V228
Manufacturer : Coach and Equipment Mfg Corp.
Make / Model Years : COACH AND EQUIPMENT / 2013
Subject : Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V229
Manufacturer : Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : INFINITI / 2014
NISSAN / 2014
Subject : One Lug Nut per Right Side Wheel may be Loose


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V230
Manufacturer : HME, Inc.
Make / Model Years : FERRARA / 2013
Subject : Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V231
Manufacturer : Federal Coach, LLC
Make / Model Years : FEDERAL COACH / 2010
Subject : Electric Door Actuator May Lead to Fire


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V232
Manufacturer : Mobility Works (WMK Inc.)
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2013-2014
Subject : Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V233
Manufacturer : Keystone RV Company
Make / Model Years : KEYSTONE / 2014
Subject : Interior Steps May Fracture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V235
Manufacturer : Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years : FIAT / 2013-2014
Subject : Coolant Leak in Power Inverter may Cause Stall


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V241
Manufacturer : Turtle Top
Make / Model Years : TURTLE TOP / 2013
Subject : Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V256
Manufacturer : Trans Tech Bus
Make / Model Years : TRANS TECH / 2013
Subject : Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V272
Manufacturer : Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years : TOYOTA / 2014
Subject : Improper Seat Belt Restraint Software/FMVSS 208


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V284
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2008-2011
MERCURY / 2008-2011
Subject : Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V285
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2010-2014
Subject : Water Intrusion may cause License Plate Lamp Fire


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V286
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2011-2013
Subject : Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V293
Manufacturer : Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years : DODGE / 2014
JEEP / 2014
Subject : Cruise Control Unintended Continued Acceleration


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 14V294
Manufacturer : Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years : RAM / 2014
Subject : Water Seepage Causing Circuit Corrosion