February 2024 Recall Roundup: Ford, GM, Nissan, Paccar, & More

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has announced recalls of dozens of vehicle makes and models popular on public sector fleets.

Government Fleet has a roundup of the latest vehicle recalls.

Various Truck Models: Steering Gear Assembled Incorrectly

Several truck manufacturers are recalling truck models because they are equipped with steering gears from either R.H. Sheppard or Bendix, one of its subsidiaries. According to documents submitted to NHTSA, a small number of steering gears were assembled without the required number of recirculating balls.

The recall includes the following models:

• 2023 Autocar ACX Xpeditor and ACTT Xspotter trucks
• 2024 FCCC MT45G and MT45 chassis
• 2024 Freightliner Cascadia trucks
• 2024 International HX, LT, RH, and 2024-2025 International HV and MV trucks
• 2024-2025 Kenworth T280, T380, T480, T680, T880, L770, W990
• 2024-2025 Peterbilt 389, 520, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, 589

Notification letters for the recalls are set to go out at various times, beginning in mid-March.

Braun Ambulances: Incompatible Node May Cause Loss of Brake Lights & Overloaded Electrical System May Cause Fire

Braun is recalling certain 2023-2024 models, including:

• Chief XL Type I
• Chief XL Type III
• Express Plus Type I
• Express Type III
• Liberty Type I

The high contact nodes may cause the module mounted turn signals, backup alarm, brake lights, and rearview camera to turn on intermittently or fail to activate. Dealers will replace the nodes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were expected to be mailed Feb. 16, 2024. 

Braun is also recalling certain emergency vehicles as part of a larger recall by several emergency vehicle manufacturers, for those equipped with Weldon 8x16 Input-Output nodes. In the event of a short circuit or wiring failure, the firmware in the node may fail to shut off the output pin, resulting in overloaded electrical circuits.

The affected models include:

• 2020-2023 Chief XL I, Express Plus I, Chief XL III, Liberty I, Super Chief I, Signature Series III, Signature Series I
• 2020-2024 Express III

Weldon will update the firmware, free of charge. Owner notification letters were expected to be mailed Feb. 12, 2024.

Government Fleet first reported the major emergency vehicle recall in Jan. 2024. See which other vehicles are included in the recall.

Chrysler Sedans: Improperly Adjusted Parking Brake

Chrysler is recalling certain 2023 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger vehicles. The parking brake may be improperly adjusted, which can result in a vehicle roll away. 

Dealers will properly adjust the parking brake, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Apr. 5, 2024.

Ford Cutaways: Power Steering Pressure Line May Detach and Leak

Ford is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 cutaways equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Mar. 25, 2024. 

Ford SUVs: Fastener Connecting Knuckle and Strut May Be Loose & Seat Belt May Lock and Fail to Retract or Extend

Ford is recalling certain 2023 Explorer SUVs. The right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing.

Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters for both recalls are expected to be mailed Mar. 04, 2024. 

Ford is also recalling more than 77,000 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.

Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge.

Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed Mar. 4, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, anticipated second half of 2024.

Ford Vans: Inadequate Rear Axle Lubrication

Ford is also recalling nearly 78,000 2023-2024 Ford Transit vans. An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear axle tail bearing damage and seizure, which can result in wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.

Dealers will inspect the rear axle, and replace the axle bearings or axle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 4, 2024. 

GM Trucks: Tailgate May Open While Driving & Seat Belt Bezel May Damage or Tear Belt in a Crash

General Motors is recalling more than 323,000 pickup truck models, including 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with power-unlatching tailgates.

The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.

Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Mar. 18, 2024.

GM is also recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV trucks. An incorrect seat belt bezel on the second-row center seat belt may damage or tear the seat belt in the event of a crash.

Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt bezel, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to begin Mar. 25, 2024. 

Hino Trucks: Improperly Secured Ground Connection

Hino is recalling certain 2022-2024 NE7A, NE7B, NH7A, NH9A, NH9B, NH9C, NJ7A, NJ7B, NJ7C, NV7A, NV7B, NV7C, NM9A, NM9B, TH9K, and TM9K trucks. The ground connection in the telematics control unit harness may not be secured properly, which can result in the ground connection overheating.

Dealers will inspect and repair the ground circuit and replace any damaged harnesses as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Apr. 05, 2024.

Nissan EVs: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

Nissan is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. The recall affects nearly 58,000 vehicles.

The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Mar. 20, 2024.

Paccar Trucks: Axle Spindles May Fracture

Paccar is recalling several certain 2024 Kenworth T880 trucks, as well as 2024 Peterbilt 389, 520, and 567 trucks. The bearing journals may not be fully seated in the steering knuckle assemblies, preventing the proper installation of the wheel end hub assemblies.

Dealers will inspect and replace the steering knuckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Mar. 25, 2024

Tesla EVs: Incorrect Font Size on Warning Lights

Tesla is recalling more than 2 million vehicles due to an incorrect font size that is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall includes the following models:

• 2012-2023 Model S
• 2016-2024 Model X
• 2017-2023 Model 3
• 2019-2024 Model Y
• 2024 Cybertruck

Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge shortly after the recall was announced. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Mar. 30, 2024.

Vermeer Brush Chipper Trailers: Trailer Tongue May Separate from Hitch

Vermeer is recalling certain 2016-2021 BC1800XL brush chipper trailers. The tongue weldment may crack and separate from the tow hitch.

Vermeer will provide a remedy kit, integrating a new surge brake tongue into the tongue weldment, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Apr. 04, 2024.