NHTSA Complaint #11298970 — 2018 PETERBILT 579

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 PETERBILT 579. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE REAR BRAKES AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE NEXT DAY THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILED, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS COMING OUT OF THE MAIN COMPUTER AND RUNNING THE ENTIRE SPAN UNDERNEATH THE CAB HAD LITTLE TO NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING/ CORD WRAP/ ALUMINUM WRAP PROTECTING THE WIRES. THE HARNESS WAS ROUTED THROUGH A U-BOLT TYPE FLANGE AS WELL AS HANGS NEAR SEVERAL METAL PARTS THAT, WHILE IN MOTION, RUB AGAINST THE WIRE CAUSING THEM TO FRAY. AS A RESULT, SEVERAL ITEMS BEGAN TO SHORT OUT AND ALSO CAUSED NUMEROUS WIRES TO HEAT UP AND MELT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RUNNING LIGHT BRAKE LIGHTS INTERN SIGNALS BEGAN TO FAIL. THE HARNESS COULD CAUSE FRAYING AND A POTENTIAL FIRE AS WELL AS SEVERAL MODULES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT CALLED NORTHERN OHIO PETERBILT DEALER, (1330 W TRENTON AVE, FINDLAY, OH 45840, (419) 423-3441) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE ONE YEAR HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES FOR THE WARRANTY AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,375.