Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024:
100K International trucks caught up in ECU recall
International Motors is recalling more than 100,000 trucks as a result of a widespread electronic control unit (ECU) recall initiated recently by Bendix. International joins Volvo and Mack in issuing large recalls as a result of Bendix’s ECU recall.
As previously reported, Bendix recalled 445,208 Bendix EC80 Advanced ECUs with specific part numbers. In the affected ECUs, electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, International is recalling approximately 105,276 units with the affected ECUs. Affected International models include:
- 2021-‘25 International RH
- 2021-‘25 International HV
- 2021-‘25 International MV
- 2021-‘25 International LT
- 2021-‘25 International HX
- 2022 International ProStar
International will work with Bendix to reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 23. Owners can contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 24515. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-818.
In a separate, unrelated recall, International also recalled approximately 74 model year 2024-’25 HX trucks due to an insufficient amount of lubricant in the front steer drive (FSD) axle hubs, which could result in damage to the wheel bearings.
Damaged bearings can cause the wheel to separate and result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash, recall documents noted.
Dealers will inspect the lubricant levels, and add lubricant or replace parts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 30. Owners can contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 24516. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-830.
[Related: Massive Bendix ECU recall impacting 126K Volvo trucks]
P.A.M. Transportation converts to PAMT CORP
P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 58) announced that, effective Nov. 7, the company has completed its redomestication to the state of Nevada by converting from a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware to a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Nevada under the new corporate name PAMT CORP.
Upon the redomestication, each outstanding share of common stock of the company as a Delaware corporation was automatically converted into one outstanding share of common stock of the Nevada corporation.
The company’s common stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol “PTSI” until Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Upon the commencement of trading on Nov. 12, the company’s common stock will begin trading on Nasdaq under the name PAMT CORP and the new trading symbol “PAMT.” Holders of the company’s shares of common stock do not need to exchange their existing stock certificates for new stock certificates, as the existing stock certificates will continue to represent shares of the Company as a Nevada corporation.
The redomestication was previously approved by the company’s board of directors, and subsequently approved by the shareholders of the company. It did not result in any change in the company’s business, operations, management, assets, liabilities or net worth.
Autocar recalling terminal tractors for speed governor malfunction
Autocar is recalling approximately 104 model year 2023-’25 XSpotter (ACTT) vehicles in which a software error may allow the vehicle to exceed the speed governor limit.
The recall noted the trucks are not equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) and are capable of speed greater than 33 mph. A software error resulted in the maximum vehicle speed limit set to 40 mph.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."
Driving at speeds greater than 33 mph with the terminal tractors can result in a loss of handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall said.
Dealers will update the vehicle and drive motor software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 27. Owners can contact Autocar customer service at 1-888-218-3611 with recall number ACTT-2402. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-819.
