Navistar recalls almost 45K trucks due to fire risk

Navistar truck recall overview: 

• Who: Navistar recalled about 45,000 trucks.
• Why: The trucks are at risk of under-hood fires.
• Where: The Navistar truck recall is active in the United States.
• What are my options: CarShield provides vehicle protection for a variety of models. 

Navistar has issued a recall of more than 44,000 trucks after three under-hood fires. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the recall April 12. It applies to 44,887 trucks from the 2016-2020 model years.

Most of the vehicles are 2016-2020 International DuraStar (32,692), 2016-2020 WorkStar (12,028) and 2017-2018 TranStar (157) models. Other recalled models are the 2018 ProStar (4), 2020 HV (3), 2020 MV (2) and one 2018 IC Bus.

According to the Navistar truck recall notice, all 44,887 recalled vehicles are susceptible to potential fires. 

So far, there have been three under-hood fires related to the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, the company says. The first fire occurred in January 2022.

Navistar investigated the fires before determining that low voltage and amperage to the power distribution module (PDM) is the likely cause. A wiring terminal that does not meet the continuous electrical current load requirement of the HVAC blower motor circuit can cause fire damage, the company says. It also could lead to injury of the driver or passenger.

Free repair available for recalled Navistar trucks

Navistar reported no injuries related to the defect so far; however, it has had 68 warranty claims, including 30 that said component melting occurred. The melting or fire occurs without any warning, the company says. 

Navistar is not facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes lead to class action lawsuits.

The cause of the issue is an HVAC blower motor circuit on the load side of the circuit breaker in the PDM that may have been assembled with a wire terminal that does not meet the continuous electrical current load requirement, the navistar truck recall states. 

This can cause overheating that may melt the plastic material of the HVAC circuit terminal block and cause fire in the surrounding area of the PDM and or dash panels.

Navistar will replace the HVAC blower motor load circuit wiring terminal and all fuse blocks found with fire damage for free, it says. Customer and dealer notification letters will be mailed June 5.

Last year, Navistar and a proposed class of truck drivers reached a $135 million settlement that would end claims that Navistar intentionally sold defective diesel engines.

Also in 2022, Navistar agreed to a settlement worth an estimated $742 million to resolve claims concerning the company’s employment and retirement benefit programs. 

Are you affected by this Navistar truck recall? Let us know in the comments.

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