2008–2009 Autocar Acx, 2008–2009 Autocar WX, 2008–2009 Autocar WXLL Recall: Parking Brake

The defect

AUTOCAR IS RECALLING 690 MY 2008-2009 ACX, WX AND WXLL HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH QUICK RELEASE VALVES (QRV). THERE ARE QRV'S IN TWO AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS IN THE LIFT AXLE AIR LINES. A LEAK IN THAT QRV WOULD AFFECT THE RATE AT WHICH THE TAG/PUSHER AXLE IS LOWERED/LIFTED. THE SECOND IS IN THE PARK BRAKE AIR LINES. A LEAK IN THAT QRV WOULD RELEASE PRESSURE ON THE PARK BRAKE SPRINGS; IF THE LEAD IS LARGE ENOUGH, THE PRESSURE WILL DROP AND SET THE BRAKES ON THE REAR AXLE.

The risk

DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE AND BRAKING CAPABILITY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix — what to do

AUTOCAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SCHEDULING REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE AT AN AUTHORIZED AUTOCAR SERVICE FACILITY, AT NO COST TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

AUTOCAR RECALL NO.A-0901.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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .