Hearth Record

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion) (Freightliner)

Vehicle recall 81V-001. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORP.’s report on Dec 2, 1981.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORP.’s report on Dec 2, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.

AN AIR BRAKE HOSE FITTING BENEATH THE FLOOR OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY RUB AGAINST THE ROTATING STEERING DRIVE SHAFT, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE.

THIS CONDITION COULD EXIST IF A MECHANIC FAILED TO ORIENT THE THREADED 90 DEGREE ELBOW FITTING IN THE PROPER DIRECTION, OR IF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS POSITIONED INCORRECTLY.

ALSO, AN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED BEARING PLATE WAS INSTALLED ON THE STEERING DRIVE SHAFT.

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SLIP SHAFT TO BOTTOM OUT, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE STEERING YOKE CONNECTION OR TO THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE GEAR BOX.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion).

What should you do?

THE DECK BEARING PLATE WILL BE REPLACED, A SLEEVE SPACER WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING SHAFT UNDER THE FLOOR AND TWO PARTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ATTACHMENT. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY TRUCKS, CAB-OVER-ENGINE MODELS EQUIPPED WITH ANINTEGRAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM.SYSTEM: STEERING; STEERING COLUMN SHAFT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: EITHER DEFECT MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,WITHOUT WARNING, AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 104 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Freightliner COEand 1980, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by FREIGHTLINER CORP..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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