Last month Isuzu, one of the largest diesel engine manufacturers in the world, announced the recall of approximately 21,000 vehicles because of improper assembly. In addition to their own trucks, the Japanese based company provides their diesel engines to other major automakers like GM, Ford, and Renault-Nissan. Isuzu Technical Center of America Inc. communicated to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that the diesel-powered vehicles in question were produced between August 2014 and May 2016 and then sold as model years 2015 to 2017. The affected lines include Isuzu’s NPR HD, NPR XD, NQR, and NRR. No injuries were reported at the time of the recall.
After investigating, Isuzu discovered that during the production process a stamping machine created unintended burrs—which are rough or rigid edges—on the frame where the transmission is mounted. The inadvertent burrs can allegedly cause critical studs to break apart, which can lead the transmission to drop preventing the driver from properly operating the Cab Over Engine truck. This, authorities say, can lead to crashes and potential injuries. Isuzu has issued instructions to dealers to pull the recalled models off their lots until the defective frames can be repaired.
This is not the first recall for the NPR line. At the end of 2016 Isuzu recalled an additional 25,018 NPR and NPR HD trucks from model years 2014 to 2016 because the accelerator can allegedly become stuck when the gas pedal is pushed to the floor. The 2016 recall also affected Chevrolet’s Low Cab Forward 3500 HD, 4500HD, and 4500XD. One year earlier, Isuzu issued a separate recall of their 2006 to 2008 NPR and NPR HD trucks because the fuel tanks could allegedly leak causing a potential fire hazard. 13,671 diesel trucks were affected by that recall, including some Chevrolet and GMC models. These fires could be even more problematic because in December 2015 Isuzu recalled 25,209 Kidde brand fire extinguishers that were included in 2012 to 2016 NPR, NPR HD, NPR XD, NQR, and NRR trucks.
Owners of an affected Isuzu truck are being told to bring their vehicle in to their nearest authorized dealer to check whether it’s safe to drive. Isuzu told authorities that they are in the process of manufacturing the replacement parts and will commence the recall once that is done, which they anticipate will be in early April. All repairs will be made at no charge to the owner.
To contact Isuzu call: (866) 441-9638
To see if your truck has been recalled see: https://consumerwatch.com/vehicle-recall-checker-by-vin-check-vehicle-recalls/