Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Freightliner Business Class M2, 108SD, and 114SD trucks. The affected trucks have been modified to be equipped with both left hand and right hand instrument clusters. Due to incompatibilities between the displays, the instrument clusters and/or turn signals may become unresponsive. CONSEQUENCE: Unresponsive instrument clusters and/or turn signals can increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY: DTNA will notify owners,…
Read MoreFord Launches Commercial Vehicle Program
Ford is launching the Commercial Vehicle Center dealer program that will replace the Business Preferred Network (BPN) and offer improved service, better parts availability and a new loyalty program, Ford announced. The program is rolling out at 650 of Ford’s more than 3,000 dealers in the U.S. and replaces a program that was heavily used by smaller fleets to set up work trucks and vans. Much like a BPN dealer, a Commercial…
Read MoreMack, Volvo Discontinue 16 Liter Diesel Engine
Volvo Trucks North America announced to its dealers on Jan. 20 that effective immediately, the OEM would discontinue production and distribution of its 16.1-liter D16 diesel engine. Aftermarket service and support for all D16s currently in the field will continue unimpeded. The decision to cease 16-liter engine production will also affect Mack Trucks, a sister company under the Volvo Group. Therefore, Mack will stop offering its MP10 16.1-liter diesel, which shares…
Read More2017 Navistar International Trucks Recall
Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2017 International ProStar, LoneStar, 9900i, and TranStar trucks. The affected vehicles have a metallic battery cover latch that may unlatch and contact the battery jump start stud, causing an electrical short to ground if the jump start stud is not covered. CONSEQUENCE: An electrical short to ground increases the risk of a fire in these trucks. REMEDY: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will…
Read MoreMIT Engineers Turn Yeast into Diesel
MIT engineers have genetically reprogrammed a strain of yeast so that it converts sugars to fats much more efficiently, an advance that could make possible the renewable production of high-energy fuels such as diesel. The researchers, led by Gregory Stephanopoulos, the Willard Henry Dow Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at MIT, modified the metabolic pathways of yeast that naturally produce large quantities of lipids, to make them about 30…
Read MorePenske Rental Trucks with Collision Avoidance
Penske Truck Rental is making collision avoidance systems and air disc brakes its standard spec on commercial tractors within its rental fleet. “These added vehicle features underscore our commitment to over-the-road safety for our commercial truck rental customers and their drivers,” said Don Mikes, senior vice president of rental at Penske. “These systems can help commercial drivers avoid collisions and the braking system provides additional stopping power when needed.” Penske has…
Read MoreMack Truck Front Wheel Hub Recall Alert
Mack Trucks, Inc. (Mack) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 and 2017 Granite (GU), 2012-2017 Pinnacle (CHU, CXU), and 2013-2015 and 2017 Titan (TD) trucks manufactured January 7, 2011, to September 29, 2016. The affected vehicles were built with front wheel hubs that cannot support the gross axle weight rating of the front axle. CONSEQUENCE: Overloaded front wheel hubs can result in premature failure of the hubs, bearings, and…
Read More2017 Ford F-250 & F-350 Super Duty Recall
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks manufactured August 10, 2016, to September 17, 2016. The frame reinforcement bracket may not have been attached to the front fuel tank strap, allowing the fuel tank strap to separate from the frame. CONSEQUENCE: A fuel tank strap that separates and allows the fuel tank to contact the ground may cause a fuel leak, increasing…
Read MoreEPA Says Chrysler Cheated Diesel Emissions
The US Environmental Protection Agency has accused a second major car company, Fiat Chrysler, of cheating on its diesel emissions testing by using secret software applications in multiple models. The company’s Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Ram vehicles used “management software” that “increases air pollution” from nitrous oxide for three years, the EPA alleged in a notice of violation issued Thursday. Fiat Chrysler said it was “disappointed” in the citation, and…
Read More2013-2017 Volvo Truck VCM Recall Alert
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) issued a recall for certain year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM truck models and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system. CONSEQUENCE: If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Volvo will notify owners, and…
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