Volvo Trucks North America and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the company is recalling nearly 64,000 trucks in the United States for a possible steering linkage problem.
VTNA spokesman John Mies said the firm also is recalling 10,000 trucks in Canada and 3,000 in Mexico.
NHTSA posted a statement on its website June 28, which said the problem could affect two of VTNA’s tractors — the VNL and VNM — both tractors for the model years 2001 to 2006.
VTNA produces Class 8 tractors for the U.S. market, just as Mack Trucks does.
Both companies are subsidiaries of Sweden-based global truck and engine maker Volvo AB.
NHTSA said that Volvo Trucks decided on the recall because a steering part produced by an outside manufacturer could, if not repaired, result in the separation of the steering mechanism’s ball socket.
“Ball socket separation at the drag link results in complete loss off steering, and therefore can result in a vehicle crash,” NHTSA said.
Mies said letters will be sent to owners of the vehicle on or before Aug. 15.
”It will take less than an hour to inspect the vehicles and replace the component,” Mies said. “We expect to have most of the vehicles inspected within six months.”
NHTSA said that Volvo’s letters will ask registered owners of the
vehicles to bring them to Volvo dealers so that their shops would be able to inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as necessary.
