Trucking news and briefs for Monday, June 12, 2023:
Potential brake fluid leak, fire risk prompts Navistar recall
Navistar is recalling more than 6,700 International trucks and IC Bus models for an issue with the brake pressure switch assembly, which may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch's electrical components and cause an electrical short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents note that an electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
Affected units include:
- 2019-‘24 International MV
- 2016 International DuraStar
- 2018-‘20 and 2023-’24 International 1300FBC stripped chassis
- 2019-’22 IC Bus CE
- 2019-’24 IC Bus TC
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the brake pressure switch and, if necessary, the wire harness or fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 1. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 23517. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-397.
New anti-fraud task force within broker group
In response to the rise in fraudulent activities within the transportation sector in recent years, the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) broker trade group announced the establishment of the TIA Fraud Task Force.
The task force is comprised of industry executives within the third-party logistics industry and technology companies that are focused on tech-driven solutions to combat fraud.
“TIA is excited to unveil our internal Fraud Task Force, which will examine the latest marketplace trends, develop strategies to address fraud internally within brokerage operations, and work on legislative and regulatory solutions in the short, medium, and long term,” said Anne Reinke, TIA President & CEO. “We hear from our members on a daily basis about rampant fraudulent activity within the industry.”
[Related: FMCSA needs a 'cop on the block' fighting freight fraud]
To address the issue of fraud in freight transactions, TIA has collaborated with carrier organizations to elevate the matter on Capitol Hill and has engaged with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
To that end, Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana) and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) recently sent a letter to FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson and the Department of Transportation Inspector General’s office imploring OIG, working with FMCSA and the Department of Justice, to establish a task force to oversee and prosecute fraud in freight transcations.
TIA said its task force will convene regularly to build efforts to reduce fraudulent activities in the marketplace and actively engage the FMCSA to address these concerns. At present, the agency’s response has been minimal, necessitating urgent action, TIA added.
[Related: Sens., Reps push for OIG task force on double brokering, other fraud]
Electric Mack, Volvo trucks recalled
Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks are recalling some of their battery-electric trucks because the power cables that connect to the windscreen heater relay may have a loose connection and cause the relay to fail. The recall states that a relay that fails in the closed position will continue to power the cabin heater, overheating the relay and increasing the risk of a fire.
Affected units include approximately 243 model year 2019-’23 Volvo VNR Electric and approximately 47 model year 2019-’23 Mack LR Electric trucks.
Dealers will tighten the power cable to relay connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 4. Volvo owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2306. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-401. Mack owners can contact Mack's customer service at 800-866-1177 with recall number SCC0444. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-402.
Volvo trucks recalled for seat issue
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling approximately 29 model year 2022-’24 Volvo VNL and VHD models equipped with RollTek driver seats. A missing circuit will prevent the side air bag from deploying during a crash.
Dealers will connect a jumper harness between the seat and main cab harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 4. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2305. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-403.
Van trailers recalled for improperly welded kingpins
Wabash National Corporation is recalling approximately 40 model year 2024 DVDBHPC and DVCVHPC dry van trailers in which the king pin was not welded properly, which can result in the king pin detaching within the upper coupler.
Dealers will replace the upper coupler assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 28. Owners can contact Wabash customer service at 765-771-5404. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-383.
