2003–2006 Unimog U500 Recall: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE EAS TRANSMISSION OPTION, A PROGRAMMING…
NHTSA campaign 06V457000 · Power Train · filed Nov 30, 2006 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE EAS TRANSMISSION OPTION, A PROGRAMMING LOGIC ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FROM DISENGAGING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE (LOW-LOW RANGE).
The risk
THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT CAPABLE OF OVERCOMING THE ENGINE TORQUE TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEEL ENDS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. IF THE CLUTCH FAILS TO DISENGAGE THE ENGINE MUST BE SHUT-DOWN IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT SYSTEM TO PROVIDE REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WORKING GROUP OR CRAWLER GEAR RANGE. THE GEAR SHIFT ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED AND TWO RELAYS WILL BE ADDED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-486.CUSTOMERS CAN 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.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Unimog U500 recalls
Other campaigns involving Unimog vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 06V457000 (manufacturer number FL-486). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.