Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Nov. 11, 2024:
105K International trucks caught up in ECU recall
International Motors is recalling more than 100,000 trucks as a result of a widespread electronic control unit (ECU) recall initiated recently by Bendix. International joins Volvo and Mack in issuing large recalls as a result of Bendix’s ECU recall.
As previously reported, Bendix recalled 445,208 Bendix EC80 Advanced ECUs with specific part numbers. In the affected ECUs, electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, International is recalling approximately 105,276 units with the affected ECUs. Affected International models include:
- 2021-‘25 International RH
- 2021-‘25 International HV
- 2021-‘25 International MV
- 2021-‘25 International LT
- 2021-‘25 International HX
- 2022 International ProStar
International will work with Bendix to reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 23. Owners can contact International customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 24515. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-818.
In a separate, unrelated recall, International also recalled approximately 74 model year 2024-’25 HX trucks due to an insufficient amount of lubricant in the front steer drive (FSD) axle hubs, which could result in damage to the wheel bearings.
Damaged bearings can cause the wheel to separate and result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash, recall documents noted.
Dealers will inspect the lubricant levels, and add lubricant or replace parts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 30. Contact International customer service with recall number 24516. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-830.
[Related: 126K Volvo trucks recalled as part of massive Bendix ECU recall]
Autocar recalling terminal tractors for speed governor malfunction
Autocar is recalling approximately 104 model year 2023-’25 XSpotter (ACTT) vehicles in which a software error may allow the vehicle to exceed the speed governor limit.
The recall noted the trucks are not equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) and are capable of speed greater than 33 mph. A software error resulted in the maximum vehicle speed limit set to 40 mph.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 136, “Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles.”
Driving at speeds greater than 33 mph with the terminal tractors can result in a loss of handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall said.
Dealers will update the vehicle and drive motor software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 27. Owners can contact Autocar customer service at 888-218-3611 with recall number ACTT-2402. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-819.
Driver earns recognition for stopping to help at accident scene
Southside, Arkansas-based truck driver Terry Pearson, who hauls with FirstFleet Inc. out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for stopping to rescue a woman who flipped her vehicle.
Terry Pearson
“I was behind her, and she just lost control,” he said. “She rolled her vehicle.”
Pearson pulled over and ran to the overturned vehicle to discover a woman trapped in the car. She had some cuts and bruises from the crash.
“I had to cut her out of the seatbelt,” Pearson said. “She was hanging upside down. She was hollering, ‘get me out of here!’”
Pearson, a trucker for over 25 years, stayed with the crash victim until emergency personnel arrived.
“I have family and if something happened to one of them, I would like for someone to stop to make sure everybody is OK,” he said, explaining why he stopped at the scene.