Haldex Air Brake System Control Valves

On February 6, 2009, Haldex Brake Products Corp. (Haldex) reported that certain air brake system control valves, distributed in 2008, contain a rubber diaphragm inside the quick release valve that may delaminate. Delamination of the diaphragm may cause significant levels of leakage and/or lead to the development of a bubble in the diaphragm that could trap air pressure in the valve. This condition can prevent a vehicle's service brakes from releasing properly. Malfunctioning service brakes can lead to risk of a vehicle crash. NHTSA assigned recall number 09E-004 to this matter. RMD mailed 24 Haldex customers, obtained through Haldex's amended Defect Report, an IR letter on April 6, 2009. RMD also requested an official list of all customers from Haldex on May 15, 2009. On June 5th, 2009, Haldex responded to RMD's IR letter with an additional 3 companies labeled as "OEM Customers." Of the 27 initial IR mailings, all but 2 companies responded (Stewart & Stevenson and New England Mfg) for reasons unknown. 8 of those companies chose to file a subsequent Defect Report for vehicles built with the recalled quick release valves. The remaining 17 companies were not required to issue safety recalls as they were distributors, not vehicle manufacturers, or had their parts remedied prior to installation. The corresponding EQ spreadsheet details each reason. One company, Meritor Wabco, filed a Defect Report for equipment (09E-023) re-branded under Meritor Wabco's trademark. This equipment was also further re-sold, so RMD mailed another 6 vehicle manufacturers on May 22, 2009. One manufacturer, Autocar LLC, already filed 09V-060 prior to the EQ. The remaining 5 companies all filed subsequent Defect Reports for their affected vehicles. A total of 13 subsequent safety recalls were influenced by this EQ. This EQ is closed.