Truck and Trailer Recalls Affect More Than 15,600 Commercial Vehicles

Newly reported NHTSA recall campaigns cover more than 15,600 commercial trucks, bodies and trailers from International Motors, Wabash and Great Dane. The largest campaign involves 15,236 International MV and HV vehicles from selected model years. A battery interconnect cable may contact nearby hardware, creating a potential electrical short. Dealers are expected to install protective components and make any additional required adjustments at no charge.

Wabash is recalling 357 refrigerated-body vehicles because a side-door stirrup step may detach, plus four dry-freight units whose liftgate deck pins may break. Great Dane is recalling 11 Champion dry van trailers that may be missing rear-impact-guard extension channels required by the applicable federal safety standard. Owner notices for the campaigns are expected on different dates from August through September.

Drivers should not assume that a vehicle is unaffected because it appears normal during a walk-around. Recall applicability is determined by the vehicle identification number and manufacturer records. Fleet managers should run VIN checks, review NHTSA and manufacturer notices, schedule the free remedy, and document when repairs are completed. Any warning to park or stop operating a vehicle should be followed immediately.

A recall check also belongs in used-equipment purchasing and preventive-maintenance routines. Before dispatch, drivers should continue reporting loose steps, damaged liftgate components, electrical odors, heat, smoke or missing rear-impact protection through the fleet’s established defect process.