2005 Hino 338 Recall

On certain trucks, the positive battery cable (between the battery and the starter) could chafe against a convoluted tubing which, over time, could cause abrasion damage to the cable insulation, possibly resulting in an electrical short circuit. An electrical short could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the positive battery cable between the battery and the starter.

A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, both vertical front spring bracket bolts on the right hand or left hand front spring hanger bracket could become loose and cause increased stress on the spring bracket itself. As a result, the spring bracket may crack, causing reduced steering responsiveness. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could result in a vehicle crash causing property damage, personal injury or death.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, corrosion and/or rust may develop on the automatic belt tensioner spindle and/or bushing causing the auto tensioner to become stiff or bind. This can cause the drive belt to suddenly come off, and/or the auto tensioner mounting bolts to suddenly break. If the drive belt comes off, the Alternator Warning Lamp will illuminate. If the warning is ignored, an engine overheat condition and/or loss of vehicle power (engine stall) may occur which potentially could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace tensioner, bolts and belt. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2006130.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain vehicles may have been assembled with insufficient tightening torque of the drag link attaching nuts, which could result in an increased rate of wear for the drag link connections at the Steering Arm and Pitman Arm. This could result in increased steering wheel free play and could ultimately result in a loss of steering control of the vehicle. Correction: Dealers will tighten the nuts to the specified torque.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, corrosion and/or rust may develop on the automatic belt tensioner spindle and/or bushing causing the auto tensioner to become stiff or bind. This can cause the drive belt to suddenly come off, and/or the auto tensioner mounting bolts to suddenly break. If the drive belt comes off, the Alternator Warning Lamp will illuminate. If the warning is ignored, an engine overheat condition and/or loss of vehicle power (engine stall) may occur which potentially could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the tensioner date code and replace tensioner, bolts and belt if required. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2007168.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the brake hose joint nuts may not have been torqued to specifications during assembly. Loose nuts may cause a gradual loss of air pressure which could affect braking performance. Correction: Dealers will verify and, if required, adjust the tightening torque of air hose joint nuts.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the steering column boot may interfere with the steering shaft during turns. This may cause the boot to become entangled on the shaft resulting in a greater than expected force required to turn the steering wheel which, in turn, may increase the possibility of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering column boot.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the accelerator pedal arm may bend during acceleration due to excessive driver force. If the pedal arm bends, the pedal could interfere with the floor mat and fail to return to the idle position when released. Correction: Dealers will replace the pedal assembly on vehicles with bent pedal arms, and install a pedal stopper on all affected vehicles.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the lower steering shaft pinch bolt may not have been properly torqued at time of vehicle manufacture. Improper torque of the pinch bolt may cause the bolt to fall out resulting in a loss of steering control. Correction: Dealer will inspect the pinch bolt for proper torque, and re-torque to specifications if required. Note this recall is superceeded by 2004342.

A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).