2006 International 4300

Defect. Geo. Heiser Body Company, Inc., (Geo. Heiser Body Company) is recalling certain model year 2006 International and 2010-2013 Fuso, Hino, International, Kenworth, and Peterbilt vehicles equipped with Sure Power battery separator devices. These devices may overheat.

Risk. Overheating of the battery separator can result in smoke and possible fire.

Remedy. Geo. Heiser Body Company will notify owners and will replace the battery separators free of charge. The safety recall began on October 25, 2012. Owners may contact Geo. Heiser Body Company at 1-206-622-7985.

Defect. CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH 2006 INTERNATIONAL HEAVY TRUCKS AND IC CORP CE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 4, 2004, AND MARCH 31, 2005. THE ANCHOR BOLT THAT IS THE PIVOT POINT FOR THE DRIVELINE PARKING BRAKE SHOES MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK AS A RESULT OF AN INCORRECT SURFACE TREATMENT.

Risk. IF THE BOLT BREAKS, THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT ENGAGE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy. INTERNATIONAL RECALL NO. 00518. INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY OWNER AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED ANCHOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

Defect. ON CERTAIN 4X2 MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS, A LONGER FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR THE SHORTER, CORRECT LENGTH HOSE.

Risk. THIS EXTRA LENGTH MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO RUB THROUGH THE BRAKE HOSE. A HOLE IN A BRAKE HOSE CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND IF A BRAKE HOSE IS THE INCORRECT LENGTH, A NEW PROPER LENGTH HOSE WILL BE INSTALLED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2006 INTERNATIONAL 4300. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WATER MADE CONTACT WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LEASING GARAGE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. WHEN THE WATER DRIED OUT OF THE CABIN THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AND BE DRIVE. THE LEASING COMPANY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 410,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 INTERNATIONAL TOW TRUCK 4300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS HARD TO CONTROL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE DIRECTIONAL BOX. THE TRUCK WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2006 INTERNATIONAL 4300 FROM A VEHICLE RENTAL FACILITY. WHILE BRAKING FROM APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXCESSIVELY SWAY FROM THE RIGHT, RESULTED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE, UNKNOWN INJURIES AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE RENTAL VEHICLE FACILITY WHICH ADVISED THERE WAS A HAIRLINE FRACTURE IN THE SUSPENSION AND THE REAR AXLE WAS MISSING FROM THE VEHICLE BUT NOT FOUND AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,003 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,126.

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE DRIVER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT SET AND THERE IS NO WARNING IN THE VEHICLE FOR THAT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A STREET, WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND HIT TWO SMALL CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE YARD. THIS TRUCK HAS NO "PARK" GEAR SO IT SHOULD REQUIRE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BE SET BUT IT DOES NOT. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THERE IS NO BELL OR LIGHT FROM THE FACTORY BUT THEY CAN ENABLE THIS AT THE DEALER FOR AN EXTRA CHARGE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 INTERNATIONAL 4300 TRUCK WHICH IS A POPULAR CHASSIS FOR SCHOOL BUSES. THIS IS A BIG OVERSIGHT FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE NOT CORRECTING THE HAZARD. *JB