Equipment Query EQ09-004: Bosch Hydraulic Disc Brakes

On 4/1/09, Navistar notified NHTSA that it had decided certain Workhorse W22 series RV chassis, produced between July 24, 2000 and December 19, 2007, equipped with axles that include Bosch ZOPS or ZOHT pin slide hydraulic disc brakes were defective, and that the defect related to motor vehicle safety.

Navistar stated vehicles whose use was occasional or seasonal, such as an RV, and which were equipped with these brakes may experience calipers sticking in the applied position.

This can result in brake drag, abnormal heat generation, brake fluid boil, and extended stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA assigned recall number 09V-110 to this recall.

RMD mailed Bosch an IR letter on 4/23/09 requesting information about the defect, the affected customers, quantities shipped, and whether Bosch intended to file a Defect Report.

On 5/7/09, Bosch responded stating that it did not agree with Navistar that a defect exists in the equipment, but a customer list was included and, with a confidentiality request, quantities sold to each company were included.

Bosch listed 19 companies as receiving the subject hydraulic disc brakes.

RMD mailed these 19 companies IR letters on 5/20/09.1 letter, to Athey Products, was undeliverable.17 companies responded with various statements, mostly claiming that their vehicle applications were not similar to recreational vehicles, or that they do not have warranty data pointing to a possible defect, or that the company is only a parts distributor not required to file a Defect Report.

Navistar submitted a customer list of companies it sold its recalled chassis to under recall 09V-110.

On 6/9/09, RMD mailed IR letters to 13 companies that received the recalled Navistar chassis equipped with Bosch brakes.5 companies chose not to file a Defect Report as the chassis manufacturer was already conducting a recall, but those companies did submit make/model information to RMD.4 companies submitted responses stating they did not receive those specific Navistar chassis.

Another 4 companies (Damon Corp~09V-225, Gulf Stream Coach~09V-263, Triple E RV~09V-246, & Universal Specialty Vehicles~09V-263) chose to file Defect Reports for the vehicles they manufactured with the recalled chassis.

Of Navistar's affected customers, another 5 companies (Fleetwood, Winnebago, Coachmen, Four Winds, & Airstream) had already filed their subsequent Defect Reports before this EQ was opened. Another company, National RV, is now out of business, so they were not contacted.

Finally, on 6/30/09, RMD requested a list for ArvinMeritor's customers that were sold axles with the subject Bosch brakes.

After many phone calls, letters, and e-mails, ArvinMeritor submitted a complete customer list on 4/19/10.

RMD mailed IR letters to 4 companies identified as vehicle manufacturers on 4/26/10.

North American Bus Industries sold all their units to Enjak, Inc.

Enjak submitted a response stating they are only a dealer and not required to file a Defect Report.

Both Spartan Chassis and El Dorado National submitted responses claiming that warranty history does not support the need for a safety recall of their applicable vehicles.

Of the 37 companies contacted regarding these certain Bosch brakes, 4 chose to conduct subsequent safety recalls for their affected vehicles.

A total of 10 companies overall (many before the opening of the EQ) chose to recall their affected vehicles.

A spreadsheet of contacted companies and responses can be found in the document repository.

This EQ is closed.