2004–2008 Triple E RV Empress Recall: CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH…
NHTSA campaign 08V012000 · Steering · filed Jan 10, 2008 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS, THESE GEARS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE INCORRECT RECIRCULATING BALL SPACER. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE RECIRCULATING BALLS TO ESCAPE FROM THE RECIRCULATING BALL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk
THE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE HIGHER REQUIRED STEERING WHEEL INPUTS, OR THE NEED FOR MORE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN COMBINATION WITH METALLIC CRACKING NOISES PRIOR TO A LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
TRIPLE E IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER AND ZF TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07V343 AND 07E049). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR TRIPLE E AT 1-204-325-4361.
CUSTOMERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Triple E RV Empress recalls
- 2002–2010 Triple E RV Commander and 16 other models — These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or…
- 2007 Triple E RV Empress and 1 other model — Equipment
- 2004–2007 Triple E RV Commander and 6 other models — Equipment
- 2007 Triple E RV Empress and 3 other models — Equipment
- 2005–2006 Triple E RV Empress — ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE STEERING BOLT WHICH ATTACHES…
Other campaigns involving Triple E RV vehicles
All Triple E RV Empress recalls → · All Triple E RV recalls →
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 08V012000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.