Driveline: universal jointRecall 10V-071 · 2004–2010 Sutphen SPH 100

The problem

SUTPHEN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 SPH MODEL FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2004 AND JANUARY 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SERIES 60 DETROIT DIESEL OR C-13 CATERPILLAR ENGINES. PRE 2007, THE DETROIT DIESEL ENGINES WERE MOUNTED LOW IN THE FRAME WHICH CAUSES VIBRATION IN THE DRIVELINE. POST 2007, A NEW SUSPENSION AND FRAME DESIGN CAUSED THE DRIVELINE ANGLES OF THE DETROIT DIESEL AND CATERPILLAR ENGINES TO BE SLIGHTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

The risk

VIBRATION IN THE DRIVELINE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE U-JOINTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix

SUTPHEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE FIRE TRUCKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUTPHEN AT 1-866-287-5549.

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A>.

Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.