Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling 8,267 heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. and Canada because of a clutch failure covered in a 2-year-old Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN) recall.
At the time, all major truck makers, including DTNA, Volvo Trucks North America and engine maker Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI), were named in a recall of 76,512 faulty Eaton clutch parts. Clutch failure can lead to unintended movement and a crash.
In September, DTNA received a report of unintended movement of a truck following a clutch repair. It decided in October to recall certain 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2, 108SD, 114SD and 122SD and Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 vehicles. All of the vehicles may have the issue, the company said.
No crashes or injuries were listed in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website post on the issue. There are 1,472 affected trucks in Canada.
Dozen manufacturers affected
Eaton’s September 2018 NHTSA defect filing listed 12 customers for the Eaton Fuller ECA Clutch manufactured by Wrena LLC.
The other nine manufacturers that received parts used in automated manual transmission vehicles were Mack Trucks; Navistar International Inc.; PACCAR Inc.; Caterpillar Industrial Inc.; construction and garbage truck chassis maker Crane Carrier Co.; fire truck manufacturer HME Inc.; industrial crane maker Manitowoc Inc.; construction and mining equipment manufacturer Terex Corp.; and Link-Belt Cranes Co.
Eaton said the defect resulted from a failure to meet manufacturing standards. The parts were made between April 1, 2017, and June 5, 2018.
Most trucks have an audible alert that tells the driver if the vehicle transmission does not shift to neutral while the vehicle is running.
Eaton performed software updates, repaired physical parts as needed or refunded the purchase price.
In the latest recall, DTNA service facilities will perform a software update and replace the clutches. Customers and dealers will be notified on Dec. 14.
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Daimler Trucks recalling nearly 183,000 Freightliner Cascadias
