Autotech 900 Series Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E038000
Manufacturer: DOUGLAS AUTOTECH CORP.
Manufactured Begin Date: June 29th, 2007
Manufactured End Date: May 20th, 2009
Date of Owner Notification: July 21st, 2009

Defect Summary:
DOUGLAS AUTOTECH (DAC) IS RECALLING 961 SERIES 900 STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLIES, DAC P/NOS. 9204584, 9204515, 9204543, 9204538, 9204547, 9204532, 9204556, 1900055, 9204534, 9204536, 9204546, 9204596, 9204597, 9204586, 9204521, 9204559, 9204570, 9204585, 8001015, 9204535, 9204592, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 29, 2007 AND MAY 20, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO STEERING ANGLE SENSORS (SAS), P/NOS. 444 120 004 0, 400 850 647 0, AND 400 850 666 0, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BELOW 3404. THE AFFECTED STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLIES WERE SHIPPED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN MOTOR COACHES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES. INTERNAL FRICTION CAN DEVELOP BETWEEN THE SENSOR GEARS AND THE SENSOR HOUSING AS A RESULT OF EXTERNAL FORCES EXPERIENCED ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING VIBRATION. IF DEVELOPED FRICTION IS GREAT ENOUGH, THE DRIVING TAB OF THE SAS CAN SHEER AS THE DRIVER TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence Summary:
A BROKEN SAS DRIVING TAB MAY RESULT IN UNNECESSARY BRAKE ACTIVATION OF A SELECTED WHEEL DURING THE IGNITION CYCLE IN WHICH THE FAILURE OCCURS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
EACH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL PROVIDE A REMEDY PLAN AND NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THEIR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR MERITOR WABCO AT 1-859-525-3676 OR DAC AT 1-270-885-9200.

Recall Notes:
OWNERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .