2016 Mack Terrapro (mru) Recalls

On April 28, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20-005 to investigate reports of 2013-2015 Mack CHU and CXU trucks equipped with mDrive transmissions continuing to push forward when stopping, possibly increasing the risk of a crash. After more field reports were discovered, the scope of the investigation was expanded to cover MY 2013-2016 vehicles. The mDrive transmission is Mack's version of Volvo's I-Shift transmission, an automated manual transmission that allows gear shifting without the use of a clutch pedal. Early I-Shift transmissions were recalled (13V-268) to address a missing redundant clutch disengagement switch that could prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake was applied. If a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch occurred, the clutch would remain engaged while braking.Although Mack's mDrive transmission adopted the latest Volvo I-Shift design and was built with the redundant clutch switch, ODI received field reports alleging that the mDrive transmission would not disengage when coming to a stop like the Volvo I-Shift transmissions in recall 13V-268.After more than a year of information requests, data exchanges and grouping, and analyzing data, ODI was able to correlate two versions of transmission software (ID 23084009 and ID 23084004), with two frequently replaced parts ('solenoid valve' and 'cylinder assy clutch') as outliers. However, Mack dismissed the replacement parts as being normal service parts for worn clutch systems.According to Mack, unlike the I-Shift recall, loss of one or more of the switches would not keep the clutch engaged but might cause a delay in the clutch disengaging, possibly due to the software/control system settings, the worn parts and system reaction time.To demonstrate the possible switch failure outcomes, Mack outfitted a subject model truck with a panel that could disable each switch on command. During test drives at the Mack facility, the demonstrator truck stopped when the brake was applied each time, and the truck did not stall when the brake was applied, even when the clutch was engaged. Even though failure of one of the switches could delay clutch disengagement, the stopping distance would still be shorter than one of the recalled Volvo I-Shift transmission trucks. With this information, as well as a lack of known crash incidents related to this complaint, ODI concludes that the Mack vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. Although ODI is closing this PE, Mack/Volvo should continue improving the transmission control unit software to further refine the clutch disengagement strategy. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. Claims are still being submitted and the Agency will continue to monitor the issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by new circumstances.

On April 1, 2020, following information received from the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) network of fleet contacts, ODI opened PE20-003 to investigate reports of vehicle roll away in certain model year (MY) 2008-2020 Autocar and Mack refuse trucks equipped with certain Bendix PP-1 push-pull pneumatic park brake control valves with a pipe-away exhaust configuration. Prior to ODI’s investigation,[KK(1]  Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix), the subject component manufacturer, published two related technical service bulletins (TSBs): Bendix Push-Pull Type Control Valves Service Data SD-03-3611 Rev. 007 (2019-03) and Bendix PP-1 & PP-8 Park Control Valve Wear and Replacement Notice Technical Bulletin TCH-003-056 (2019-11-20). ODI sent Information Request (IR) letters to motor vehicle manufacturers Autocar LLC (Autocar) and Volvo Trucks North America/Mack Trucks, Inc. (Volvo/Mack) and motor vehicle equipment manufacturer Bendix. IR response data from all three manufacturers was analyzed and cross-referenced to gain further understanding. To date, ODI is aware of 5 vehicle roll-away incidents related to the alleged defect condition in the subject vehicles equipped with the subject components, resulting in 4 crashes and 1 injury. On December 9, 2021, Volvo/Mack notified the agency of a safety recall (21V953) to address a safety defect in certain MY 2008-2019 TerraPro (MRU) and MY 2019-2022 TerraPro (TE) trucks originally equipped with the subject components. [KK(2] On January 1, 2023, Autocar notified the agency of a safety recall (23V023) to address a safety defect in certain MY 2008-2020 ACX (Xpeditor), MY 2012-2020 ACMD (Xpert), MY 2010-2020 ACTT (Xspotter), MY 2008-2010 WX and MY 2008-2010 WXLL trucks. Volvo/Mack and Autocar's recall remedies involve removing the vent line fitting threaded into the exhaust port of the subject PP-1 valve. [VD(3] Both Autocar and Mack have stopped equipping new refuse trucks with park control valves using the exhaust pipe-away configuration. After discussions between ODI and Bendix concerning ways to prevent new PP-1 valves from being sold and installed with a potential for the exhaust to become restricted, Bendix will take the following actions: 1) issue a letter to all original equipment (OE) customers with important safety information warning them about the safety risk of attaching plumbing to the exhaust port when the subject component is used as a park control valve; and 2) affix a warning label on all aftermarket parts warning not to install pipe-away exhaust port plumbing. In view of the recalls being conducted by Volvo/Mack and Autocar, and the actions taken by Bendix, ODI has closed this Preliminary Evaluation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist in equipment or other model or MY vehicles that have not been recalled. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted.