The defect
MCI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009 D4500/4505 COACHES EQUIPPED WITH THE MERITOR FH 946 14,000 LB RATED STEERABLE TAG AXLE. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE OF THE CYLINDER LOCK PLATE, IT MAY MOVE FROM ITS NORMAL SET POSITION, WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN THE TAG AXLE NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING, OR LOCKING WITH THE WHEELS NOT IN A STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION.
The risk
IF THE TAG AXLE DOES NOT LOCK ABOVE 20 MPH, THERE IS A LOSS OF LATERAL FORCE CONTROL OF THE TAG AXLE THAT CAN AFFECT THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO DURING A TURN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WILL SWING FURTHER OUT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE TURN AND COULD RESULT IN THE COACH STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT CLAMPS THAT DO NOT HAVE PAINT ON THE CLAMPING SURFACES. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT 1-800-241-2947.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| MCI D4500 | 2009 |
| MCI D4505 | 2009 |
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCI D4500 | 2009 | 0 | 11 |
| MCI D4505 | 2009 | 0 | 9 |
Other steering recalls in 2009
17 of the 491 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2009 concerned the steering; MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES, INC filed 39 campaigns in all.
| 09V490000 23 Dec 2009 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 09V411000 19 Oct 2009 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 09V357000 16 Sept 2009 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 09V355000 15 Sept 2009 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 09V337000 27 Aug 2009 | NISSAN DIESEL AMERICA, INC |
| 09V291000 27 Jul 2009 | HME INCORPORATED |
| 09V284000 23 Jul 2009 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 09V258000 8 Jul 2009 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2009