The problem
Certain trucks fail to comply with requirements of part 568, 'vehicles manufactured in two or more stages, all incomplete, intermediate and final-stage manufacturers of vehicles manufactured in two or more stages.' The gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) label, as applied, may not be accurate. The gvwr label may indicate that the vehicle's load capacity is higher than the designed weight rating.
The risk
Due to the error in gvwr labeling, it is possible that a vehicle could be overloaded without the vehicle operator's knowledge. A vehicle in an overloaded condition may be susceptible to component failure that may result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Autocar will send a letter which describes the discrepancy in gvwr labeling, and will include a complete set of revised gvwr labels including a revised incomplete vehicle document label along with instructions for application of the labels. The recall began on december 7, 2007. Owners may contact autocar at 1-765-489-5499.
Contacts
Autocar recall no. A-0704. Customers 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.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Autocar dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 07V513000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.