2001–2004 Mitsubishi Fuso FM657 Recall: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH A FULL AIR BRAKE SYSTEM, THERE MAY BE 3…

The defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH A FULL AIR BRAKE SYSTEM, THERE MAY BE 3 POSSIBLE DEFECTS RELATED TO THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER PORTION OF THE AIR BRAKE CHAMBER ASSEMBLY. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER END CAP DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, CAUSING CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION. (2) DUE TO IMPROPER END CAP ATTACHING SCREW DIMENSIONS, WATER MAY ENTER THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, CAUSING CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION. (3) DUE TO IMPROPER TIGHTENING OF THE END CAP ATTACHING SCREW DURING ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER INTO THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, CAUSING CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION.

The risk

CONTINUED OPERATION IN THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE CORROSION OF THE POWER SPRING IN THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER, LEADING TO POSSIBLE SPRING FAILURE. IN THE WORST CASE, RESULTANT DAMAGE COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WHILE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER IS IN THE RELEASED (OFF) POSITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL FOR ITEM (1) ABOVE, INSPECT THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER. THE END CAP WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. IF CORROSION IS FOUND INSIDE OF THE CHAMBER, OR ON THE POWER SPRING, THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER WILL BE REPLACED. FOR ITEMS 2 AND 3, THE DEALER WILL CHECK THE MANUFACTURER IDENTIFICATION MARK ON PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER. IF MGM IS STAMPED ON THE CHAMBER, IT WILL BE INSPECTED AND THEN ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED TO THE END CAP ATTACHING SCREW ON THESE UNITS. IF CORROSION IS FOUND INSIDE OF THE BRAKE CHAMBER OR ON THE POWER SPRING, THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI FUSO AT 1-856-467-4500.

MITSUBISHI FUSO RECALL NO. C1001320.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.