September 2023 Recall Roundup: Ford, PACCAR, Spartan, & More

Public sector fleet managers, are your vehicles or equipment items included in the latest recalls? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced recalls throughout the month of September 2023 that impact vehicles common in government fleets. Here's a roundup of some of the recalls.

Dodge SUVs: Shifter May Come Out of Gear While Driving

Chrysler is recalling certain 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles equipped with an instrument panel mounted shifter. The shifter may experience an interference with the shifter boot and come out of gear while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace the instrument panel mounted shifter boot, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 7, 2023.

Ford Vehicles: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display, High Voltage Battery May Short Circuit, & Unsecured Transmission May Cause Rollaway

Ford is recalling certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles because the rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall, which affects an estimated 169,000 vehicles, includes 2022-2023 Ford Transit vans among other models.

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 2, 2023.

Ford is also recalling certain 2020-2022 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure, increasing the risk of both a crash the risk of a fire.

Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters for this recall are also expected to be mailed Oct. 2, 2023.

Lastly, Ford is recalling certain 2024-2025 Ford E-350, F-650, and F-750 vehicles. The park pawl may not fully engage the park gear due to a casting defect in the transmission.

A vehicle which does not have the park pawl fully engaged may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, or the valve body and extension housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 30, 2023. 

Interstate Trailers: Pinch Point Between Tie-Down Straps and Deck Latch

Interstate is recalling certain 2022-2023 ITLT716SA2 trailers. The steel tie-down flat straps could interfere with the operation of the trailer deck tilt latch when the trailer load is unevenly distributed. Interference between the deck tilt latch and the tie-down straps can cause a pinch point, increasing the risk of injury.

Dealers will remove the steel tie-down flat straps and add a handle stop, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent Sept. 6, 2023.

Mack Trucks: Low Turn Signal Visibility & Loose Steering Gear Fasteners

Mack is recalling certain 2015-2023 GU and GR vehicles. That's because the turn signals may be positioned incorrectly, reducing their visibility. Low turn signal visibility may not alert other drivers to a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will add additional turn signal lighting, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 17, 2023.

Mack is also recalling certain 2024 MD6 and MD7 vehicles. The steering gear fasteners may not be properly tightened. Loose steering gear fasteners may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will tighten the steering gear fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 23, 2023. 

PACCAR Trucks: Fuel Filter Hoses May Disconnect or Leak Fuel

PACCAR is recalling certain 2023-2024 trucks, including:

• Kenworth T280, T380, and T480.
• Peterbilt 536, 537, and 548.

The remote Stage 2 fuel filter hoses may have been damaged during production, allowing the hoses to leak or disconnect. A disconnected hose will result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Dealers will replace both hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 4, 2023.

Spartan Fire Trucks: Delay in Park Brake Engagement

Spartan Fire is recalling certain emergency vehcle models, including:

• 2021-2024 Gladiator.
• 2021-2024 Metro Star.
• 2022-2024 FC-94.
• 2022-2023 KME Panther.
• 2023 KME Predator.

A defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Dealers will replace the inversion valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 30, 2023.