The problem
Mitsubishi fuso is recalling 15,549 my 1999-2004 fe639, fe649, and fg639 trucks; my 2001-2004 fe640, and my 2003-2004 fh210 trucks equipped with automatic transmissions. Normal heat emanating from the exhaust pipe may cause the automatic transmission shift linkage to deform. The effort required to operate the automatic transmission shift control lever may increase if the linkage binds due to the deformation.
The risk
The shift control lever may become inoperative, or the physical shift lever position on the shift lever housing gear indicator may not match the actual gear selection at the transmission.
The fix
Dealers will install a modified automatic transmission shift control lever assembly free of charge. The recall began on august 6, 2008. Owners may contact mitsubishi fuso at 1-856-467-4500.
Contacts
Mitsubishi fuso recall no. C1003610. Customers may 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 Mitsubishi Fuso dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 08V224000.
- 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.