Recall 11V549 affects 62 2011-2012 Hino NE8J trucks for under-torqued steering arm bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Hino dealer.
Hino is recalling 62 2011-2012 NE8J trucks because steering arm attachment bolts were not torqued enough during assembly. That failure can cause bolt fatigue, fracture, steering arm separation, and loss of steering control, raising crash risk; the Hino dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering attachment bolts on 2011-2012 Hino NE8J trucks secure key steering hardware to the chassis. That hardware carries the driver's input from the steering wheel into the steering linkage, so the front wheels respond in the direction the driver chooses. The bolts have to be tightened to the correct specification so the joint stays clamped while the truck is driven.
On affected trucks, those bolts were not tightened enough during assembly. A bolt that starts below the required clamping force leaves the steering attachment less secure than designed. Road vibration and normal steering loads then put extra movement into a joint that is supposed to stay fixed, which allows the steering connection to loosen instead of holding firm.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the truck feels loose, wanders, or responds differently when you turn the wheel, treat that as a serious steering concern and have it inspected before more driving.
Who's affected?
The same steering-system component is listed for each included model year.
| 2012 Hino NE8J | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Hino NE8J | steering system |
| Units affected | 62 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Insufficient steering arm bolt torque creates a risk of bolt fatigue, fracture, or steering arm separation. A separation can cause loss of steering control and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Hino dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Hino NE8J is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Hino dealer and ask whether the free steering arm bolt repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 11V549 when you call, and ask the dealer to inspect, repair, or replace the steering arm bolts that were not torqued enough during assembly.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. Hino mailed owner notices on April 19, 2012.
- Drive carefully until the repair is complete, and stop driving if the steering feels loose or abnormal.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available for your VIN, a Hino technician repairs or replaces the steering arm bolts covered by recall 11V549. Those bolts secure the steering attachment, so the service visit focuses on correcting the bolt condition found in the recall. Hino's remedy states that the repair or replacement is free of charge. The source information does not list a reimbursement program, so this section does not describe one.
Timeline
| November 15, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 19, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V549?
Recall 11V549 covers 62 2011-2012 Hino NE8J trucks with steering attachment bolts that were not tightened enough during assembly. The bolts can fatigue, fracture, or let the steering arm separate. Hino dealers will repair or replace the steering arm bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Hino NE8J is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 11V549. If it is, contact a franchised Hino dealer to schedule the steering arm bolt repair or replacement. Reference recall number 11V549000 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Hino will repair or replace the steering arm bolts free of charge at a franchised Hino dealer. The safety recall began on April 19, 2012, so ask the service desk to confirm the campaign is open for your VIN before your appointment.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. If the steering arm bolts fatigue, fracture, or allow the arm to separate, the driver can lose steering control and face a higher crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Hino NE8J used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a Hino owner letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Hino dealer with recall number 11V549000.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V549000 |
|---|---|
| Hino customer service | 1-248-699-9390 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V549 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V549000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →