Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection (Freightliner)
Vehicle recall 86V-018. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORP.’s report on Jan 5, 1986.
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The short answer
NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORP.’s report on Jan 5, 1986. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 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.
THE CENTRAL TUBE PART OF THE DRAG LINK, WHICH IS SET IN A ROTATIONAL POSITION, DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE NUT OR BOLT HEAD AND THE AXLE BEAM.
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THERE COULD BE INTERFERENCE DURING A RIGHT TURN WHEEL CUT AND MAY CAUSE THE STEERING LINKAGE TO BIND, LEADING TO THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection.
What should you do?
REPLACE ADJUSTABLE DRAG LINK WITH AN ASSEMBLY ON WHICH ONLY THE FORWARD END IS ADJUSTABLE. ALSO, STAKE REAR END.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: STEERING. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS FITTED WITH A MODEL GKN120 FRONT AXLE.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 226 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Freightliner Freightlinerand 1985 and 1986, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FREIGHTLINER CORP..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 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.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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 28, 2026.