VOLVO TRUCK SAFETY RECALL

DON MILLS, Ont. (Jan. 19, 2001) -- The Owner/Operators Independent Drivers Association says Volvo Trucks North America is notifying owners of its vehicles of possible defective parts.

The letter reports problems in certain ACL, VN, WAH, WG, and WX model vehicles built between July 5, and Nov. 20, 1999. The safety defect "may result in the steer axle tie rod, ball-socket assembly ball stud separating from the socket due to premature wear. The potential risk is steering control of the right wheel will be lost, resulting in increased steering effort without warning and a potential for vehicle accident," OOIDA says.

The association says that no precautions were offered in the letter, other than having a Volvo truck dealer replace the suspect ball-socket assembly. The letter said repairs would be made at no charge to the owner regardless of the vehicle's age or mileage, OOIDA explains.