FL-850 - Possible Loss of Drive System and Power Steering - 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 Buses

Defect Information Report
(Section 573.6)
FL-850
Date of Submission: May 5, 2020
Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
P.O. BOX 3849
Portland, Oregon 97208
Type of Report: X Safety Defect ⃝ Non-Compliance
Vehicle Information
Model Yr. Start: 2019 Model Yr. End: 2019
Make: Freightliner Model: Business Class M2
Production Dates: Begin: 08/27/18 End: 10/30/18
Descriptive Information: Freightliner Business Class M2 vehicles equipped with a PowerDrive EV
electric drivetrain with wire harnesses that facilitate communication among various control modules that
Cummins Inc. has identified per equipment recall 20E-003.
Number potentially involved: 5 Estimated percentage of involve with defect: 100%
Defect / Noncompliance Description
For this Defect/Noncompliance:
Describe the defect or noncompliance: Cummins states per NHTSA 20E-003, “A connector within the
wire harness installed in the subject EV drivetrains may be susceptible to becoming unplugged. If the
connector becomes unplugged, under certain circumstances, the communication between the control
modules may be lost and the system may command off the high voltage contactors, resulting in
unexpected loss of all systems powered by high voltage, including the traction drive system and power
steering.”
Describe the safety risk: Cummins states per NHTSA 20E-003, “A sudden and simultaneous loss of
motive power and loss of power steering may increase the risk of a crash”
If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component.
Cummins Inc.
Box 3005, Mail Code 41303
Columbus IN 47202-3005
Involved Components
Component Name: Powertrain
Component Description: PowerDrive EV Powertrain
Component Part Number: 4000EV/6000EV/7000EV
Chronology of Defect / Noncompliance Determination
Provide the chronology of events leading up to the defect decision or test data for the
noncompliance decision.: On April 22, 2020, DTNA product Compliance and Regulatory Affairs
received notification from Cummins of a quarterly recall completion report for equipment recall 20E-003.
DTNA reviewed Cummins’ Part 573 filing which indicated there was more than a single OEM affected.
Although the completion report indicated that all of the affected DTNA vehicles had been remedied,
DTNA Compliance and Regulatory Affairs recommended that a companion vehicle Part 573 should also
be filed in addition to Cummins’ equipment Part 573. On April 29, DTNA made a determination to file a
defect information report on the five affected vehicles to supplement Cummins’ equipment recall 20E-
003.
Identify the Remedy
Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacture’s plan for
reimbursement.: Cummins Inc. has reported completion of the affected DTNA field vehicles . Per
NHTSA 20E-003, the remedy was to “install a cable tie around the connector body, routed under the
connector locking tab, forcing it into locked position so that it cannot unplug.”
Identify the Recall Schedule
Describe the recall schedule for notifications.: Per Cummins' Quarterly Report, the affected vehicles
in the field were reported repaired, therefore, DTNA will not be providing customer notifications related
to this recall.
Planned Dealer Notification Begin Date: N/A
Planned Dealer Notification End Date: N/A
Planned Owner Notification Begin Date: N/A
Planned Owner Notification End Date: N/A
Manufacture’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): FL-850
DTNA Representative;
Andy Jones
Manager
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs