Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Sept. 15, 2025:
- Might a new bill in Congress rein in lawsuits targeting truck drivers and carriers?
- Nearly 14,000 trucks caught up in digital dashboard tech glitch recall.
- New parking, fueling options in Texas, Oklahoma.
- Electric terminal tractors face recall over driveline issue.
New legislation looks to protect truckers from 'lawsuit abuse'
Last week, U.S. Reps. Tom Barrett (R-Michigan) and Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) introduced H.R. 5268, the Forum Accountability and Integrity in Roadway (FAIR) Trucking Act aimed at protecting truck drivers and trucking companies from what sponsors call "lawsuit abuse."
Specifically, the bill would give federal courts original jurisdiction over highway accident civil actions against commercial motor vehicles involved in interstate commerce when the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million.
Bill sponsors said the FAIR Trucking Act restores fairness and balance to litigation, protects against forum shopping, ensures cases of national scope are heard in federal courts, and keeps the focus on justice. Specifically, it grants federal courts jurisdiction over truck crash cases when the following criteria are met:
- The matter involves interstate commerce
- The amount being sought exceeds $5 million
- At least one defendant and one plaintiff are from different states
“American truckers play an essential role in every aspect of our economy -- from keeping the store shelves stocked to getting fuel to gas stations and delivering medical supplies to hospitals,” Rep. Barrett said. “Allowing them to keep falling victim to lawsuit ambushes in handpicked courtrooms is bad for business and bad for our supply chains. This bill will restore fair and balanced litigation while ensuring that our truckers, trucking companies, and owner-operators can keep our commerce flowing.”
Bill sponsors noted that the trucking industry has become increasingly targeted by personal injury attorneys “who unfairly capitalize on trucking accidents by abusing our justice system” in recent years. Part of these attorneys’ tactics include handpicking state courts that they believe have more favorable juries and higher likelihood for larger payouts.
[Related: Insurance to defend against the downhill threat of post-crash litigation]
Nearly 14K Kenworths recalled for instrument cluster issue
Paccar has announced a recall of nearly 14,000 Kenworth trucks in which the 15-inch digital display could fail to display warning lights or the vehicle’s speed, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
The issue means the affected trucks do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Affected trucks include model year 2024-’26 Kenworth T680, T880 and W990 units, in which the digital display may enter recovery mode (blue screen) without prior indication. In such a mode, the screen is non-responsive and may reset after a key cycle or reprogramming.
Dealers will update the vehicle display software, free of charge. Paccar has not yet provided a schedule for notifying owners of the recall. Owners of affected trucks can contact Kenworth's customer service at 425-828-5888 with recall number 25PACG. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-569.
Love’s opens Texas stop, renovated Oklahoma location
Love’s Travel Stops this month has announced the opening of a new travel stop in Big Spring, Texas, off of I-20 at Exit 176-SEC.
The new location is located between the company’s Midland and Sweetwater, Texas, locations.
It features 105 truck parking spaces, nine diesel bays, six showers, a CAT Scale and more. It also includes a Love’s Fresh Kitchen concept with fresh food items such as sandwiches, salads and fresh fruit prepared daily, as well as an Arby’s and a Dunkin’.
Love’s also announced that it has reopened a fully renovated location off I-40 at Exit 200 in Seminole, Oklahoma, that offers 77 truck parking spaces, six diesel bays, four showers, a CAT Scale, plus Love’s Fresh Kitchen, Subway and Godfather’s Pizza.
Orange EV’s electric yard tractor recalled
Orange EV is recalling approximately 16 model year 2024-’25 HUSK-e tandem yard tractors because the driveshaft could contact and damage the passenger side brake chamber or brake chamber bracket.
Damaged brake components may cause a reduction of brake performance and unexpected activation of the emergency braking system, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall noted.
Orange EV field service will inspect and replace the driveshaft and brake chamber components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Sept. 19. Owners may contact Orange EV customer service at 1-866-688-5223 with recall number 2025-SRC-06. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-571.
[Related: Electric truck maker debuts new truck for port operations]
