Navistar Recalls Trucks with Brake Fluid Related Fire Issue

Nov 16, 2023

LISLE, Ill.—Navistar, Inc. agreed to recall certain model-year 2017-2023 International CV Class 4/5 trucks that might have a brake-fluid leak which could result in a vehicle fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has advised the owners/operators of vehicles within the recall population to park them outdoors.

The 9,170 trucks covered by the recall were produced from Sept. 8, 2017 – March 21, 2023.

According to NHTSA's Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-282, "The suspect population is identified by models equipped with feature code 04240 or 04190 (Brake system, hydraulic with Hydromax brake booster)."

The vehicles in question might have been produced with a brake-pressure-switch assembly which allows brake fluid to leak into the pressure switch. From there, the fluid could seep into the switch's electrical components, short the switch and associated fuse and potentially generate excessive heat that could result in a fire.

NHTSA's report explained the cause of the issue as, "a zinc nickel plating and sealant used to inhibit corrosion within the pressure switch assembly may cause delamination of the sealant which results in small fragments of sealer underneath the diaphragm during assembly which allows brake fluid to slowly seep past the seal."

This condition might illuminate the "service brake system" malfunction lamp.

Similar vehicles not included within the recall were produced with redesigned brake-pressure-switch assembly.

The remedy is replacing the brake-pressure-switch assembly and any wire harness found with brake fluid at the brake-pressure-switch connector or the associated fuse. Navistar franchised dealers and International CV owners covered by the recall are scheduled to be notified by June 19th.

Mike Geylin is the Editor-in-Chief at Hagman Media. Geylin has been in automotive communications for five decades working in all aspects of the industry from OEM to supplier to motorsports as well as reporting for both newspapers and magazines on the industry.