2003–2004 NABI 45CLFW Recall: Service Brakes, Air

The defect

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING 164 MY 2003-2004 45CLFW COMPOSITE BODIED TRANSIT BUSES. AFTER PROLONGED USE OF THE PARKER CHECK VALVE, THE VALVE BODY RETAINER MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN, AND EVENTUALLY BREAK APART.

The risk

PIECES OF THE VALVE COULD BECOME LODGED WITHIN THE SPRING BRAKE VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A LEAK OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SPRING BRAKE VALVE. THIS COULD CAUSE A DELAY IN BRAKE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING (PARKING) BRAKES AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH CONTROL VALVE, SPRING BRAKES NOT FULLY RELEASING, OR LOSS OF ISOLATION BETWEEN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CIRCUITS. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY, BRAKE DRAG, OR IN THE CASE OF LOSS OF PRIMARY CIRCUIT, THE INABILITY TO MODULATE THE SPRING B RAKES.

The fix — what to do

NABI IS WORKING WITH BENDIX TO REPLACE THE PARKER CHECK VALVES (PLEASE SEE 07E038). OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENDIX AT 1-440-329-9000 OR NABI AT 1-888-391-1777.

NABI RECALL NO. 2008-04.CUSTOMERS MAY 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.