RoadVitals

1998 Detroit Diesel Series 40

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 22, 2005
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Detroit Diesel Series 40. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
05E049000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Jul 22, 2005
18 units potentially affected
The defect: DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 40 ENGINES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT. THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TURBOCHARGER TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. DETROIT DIESEL IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL AT 313-592-3708 OR SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400.
SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC.Manufacturer number SPEC 05027View on NHTSA.gov
04E051000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Jul 29, 2004
2,326 units potentially affected
The defect: DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 40 TURBOCHARGERS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 1997 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2002. THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL, ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DETROIT DIESEL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TURBOCHARGER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2004. 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 DDC AT 313-592-3708.
DETROIT DIESEL CORP.Manufacturer number 04C-1View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE04026ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TURBOCHARGER FAILURE RESULTS IN FIRE

Opened Mar 15, 2004
Closed Jul 29, 2004

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONLEARNED OF 19 TRANSIT BUS FIRE ALLEGATIONS WHERE THEENGINE TURBOCHARGER WAS SUSPECTED AS BEING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO OBTAIN SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE FIRE ALLEGATIONS AND GATHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON THE ENGINE/TURBOCHARGER COMBINATIONS USED ON THESE VEHICLES, AND TO UNDERSTAND THE INFLUENCE OF THE TURBOCHARGER AS A CATALYST FOR THE FIRES.DURING THE INVESTIGATION ODI EXMAMINED SEVERAL BUSES INVOLVED IN FIRES AND HAD A TECHNICAL MEETING WITH DETROIT OFFICIALS.AS A RESULT OF ODI'S INVESTIGATION, DETROIT HAS AGREED TO INITIATE TWO SEPARATE SAFETY RECALLS, EACH HAVING A DIFFERENT REMEDY, TO ADDRESS THE THERMAL EVENT CONCERNS.A COPY OF EACH RECALL IS ATTACHED. SEPARATE SAFETY RECALLS ARE BEING CONDUCTED ON THE TWO SERIES ENGINES, AS THE CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS ARE DIFFERENT FOR THE TWO APPLICATIONS.COPIES OF EACH RECALL ACTION ARE ATTACHED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESELLed to recall 04E051000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Detroit Diesel Series 40 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004010—
2003010—
2002010—
2001021—
2000021—
1999021—
1998Viewing021—
1997021—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.