The problem
Vehicle description: transit and school buses built with abs air brake ecu and a 100 gallon fuel tank mounted between the rails and behind the rear axle on models with a 276" wheel base. The abs ecu interfered with the cross member mounted behind the rear axle and in front of the between the rails fuel tank. This created a no-build situation at the plant - the plant would either eliminate or relocate the cross member or move the ecu as needed.
The risk
If the cross member is either missing or relocated the vehicle may not have adequate fuel tank protection. In the event of a crash, the bus may not have adequate fuel tank protection if the vehicle has a missing or improperly installed crossmember.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure all cross members are properly installed. If the cross member is not installed correctly or is missing, the dealer will repair or install the cross member.
Contacts
International recall no. 99509. Owner notification began september 27, 1999. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact navistar at 1-800-448-7825. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
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 Navistar dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 99V263000.
- 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.