Recalls for 1980 Autocar Autocar

DEFECT #1 - STEERING:WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR

Posted on: 1981-10-27
Description
Steering shaft binder bolts on certain vehicles are either loose or over-tightened.  Either condition can lead to a separation of the steering shaft from the steering column, even if the factory installed bolt has been properly retightened.

Consequence


Corrective Action
Unique bolts have been designed for this campaign and will be installed along with new nuts.  This will be done at no charge to owner.

Notes
Vehicle description: trucks.system: steering; steering shaft binder bolts.consequences of defect: shaft separation could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.note: as a precaution, immediately check the binder bolts on the steering shaftfor looseness.  If they are loose, tighten them to 60 ft-lbs torque.  Tighteningbolts does not permanently remedy the defect.  New bolts and nuts must beinstalled.

DEFECT #2 - STEERING:LINKAGES:LINK:DRAG:CONNECTION

Posted on: 1981-05-12
Description
The ball stud nuts used to fasten the drag link ball stud ends to the pitman arm and steering arm may not have been sufficiently tightened on some vehicles.  If the nuts are not securely fastened the ball stud could prematurely fail and drag link would become loose.

Consequence


Corrective Action
The ball stud nuts will be checked and, if necessary, will be securely fastened free of charge.

Notes
Vehicle description: heavy trucks.system: steering; drag link ball stud attaching nuts.consequences of defect: the ball stud could break, resulting in a loss ofvehicle control and potential for an accident.note: if the vehicle tends to wander or steering seems erratic, a loose draglink may be present.

DEFECT #3 - LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Posted on: 1983-04-06
Description
In certain types of collisions, the door latches may release and the door could open.  The door latch system fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard 206, door locks and door retention components.

Consequence


Corrective Action
Dealer will install new door latch control rods at no cost to the owner.

Notes
Vehicle description: heavy trucks.system: structure; door latch assembly.consequences of defect: in a rear-end collision, the occupants may be thrownfrom the vehicle, increasing the chances of injury.note: the owner should make sure that seat belts are fastened to lessen thechances of occupant ejection.