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Campaign 10V071 Posted March 2, 2010 35 units

2004-2010 Sutphen Sph 100 Recall 10V071: U-Joint Failure

Recall 10V071 affects 35 2004-2010 Sutphen Sph 100 fire trucks for driveline vibration that can damage U-joints. Repair is free at any franchised Sutphen dealer.

Sutphen is recalling 35 2004-2010 Sph 100 fire trucks because engine mounting, suspension, and frame designs put the driveline out of alignment and create vibration. That vibration can cause premature U-joint failure and raise crash risk; the Sutphen dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The driveline on the 2004-2010 Sutphen Sph 100 fire truck carries engine power from the transmission toward the drive axle. Its universal joints sit in that shaft and let the driveline turn while the engine, frame, suspension, and axle sit at different angles. When those angles are correct, the shaft rotates smoothly under load.

On affected trucks with Series 60 Detroit Diesel or C-13 Caterpillar engines, the driveline geometry is wrong. Before 2007, the Detroit Diesel engine sat low in the frame, which created vibration in the driveline. After 2007, a revised suspension and frame design left the driveline angles for the Detroit Diesel and Caterpillar engines slightly out of alignment. That vibration or misalignment puts extra stress on the universal joint.

There is no warning sign before failure. A crew should treat new driveline vibration, clunking, or unusual power train noise as a reason to have the truck checked, but the recall filing does not identify a reliable advance symptom.

Who's affected?

Spans 7 model years for the Sph 100, all tied to the same driveline universal-joint component.

2007 Sutphen Sph 100 driveline
2005 Sutphen Sph 100 driveline
2008 Sutphen Sph 100 driveline
2006 Sutphen Sph 100 driveline
2009 Sutphen Sph 100 driveline
Units affected35

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.

What's the safety risk?

Driveline vibration can damage the U-joints before their expected service life. If a U-joint fails, the failure increases the risk of a crash. Have any driveline vibration inspected and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Sutphen dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2010 Sutphen Sph 100 is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Sutphen customer service at 1-866-287-5549 to confirm the repair path for your fire truck.
  3. Schedule the free driveline repair that addresses driveline vibration and premature U-joint failure.
  4. Reference recall number 10V071 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Sutphen mailed one.
  5. Limit service use until the repair is complete because driveline vibration can lead to U-joint failure and increase crash risk.

What happens at the repair

Sutphen's recall remedy says owners were notified and the affected fire trucks are repaired free of charge. The source record says the safety recall began on March 8, 2010. At the dealer, a Sutphen technician addresses the defect tied to driveline vibration and engine driveline angle alignment on the Sph 100. The remedy text does not name a specific replacement part, so ask the service desk what correction campaign 10V071 requires before the truck goes in. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.

Timeline

March 2, 2010 NHTSA published the recall
March 8, 2010 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 10V071?

Recall 10V071 covers 35 2004-2010 Sutphen Sph 100 fire trucks with Detroit Diesel Series 60 or Caterpillar C-13 engines. Driveline vibration or misalignment can damage the U-joints, increasing crash risk. Sutphen will repair the affected fire trucks for free.

What should I do if my 2004-2010 Sutphen Sph 100 is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 10V071. If it is, contact a franchised Sutphen dealer or authorized Sutphen service location and reference recall 10V071. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Sutphen's remedy says the affected fire trucks will be repaired free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 10V071.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is driveline U-joint failure. NHTSA campaign 10V071 says driveline vibration can cause the U-joints to fail early, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free Sutphen repair before returning the truck to regular service.

What if I bought this Sutphen Sph 100 used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2004-2010 Sutphen Sph 100 is included, then reference recall 10V071 when you contact Sutphen service.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V071000
Sutphen customer service1-866-287-5549
NHTSA recall #10V071
NHTSA recall # (full)10V071000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →