Recall 12V394 affects 699 2008-2012 Autocar Xpeditor vehicles for a passenger-seat belt retractor defect. Repair is free at any franchised Autocar dealer.
Autocar is recalling 699 2008-2012 Xpeditor heavy-duty vehicles equipped with a right-hand Bostrom air-ride seat because the seatbelt connection point can interfere with the retractor as the seat height changes. If the retractor fails in a crash, the passenger can be left improperly restrained, increasing the risk of injury or death; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The affected part is the front passenger seat belt retractor on 2008-2012 Autocar Xpeditor heavy-duty vehicles with a right-hand Bostrom air-ride seat. The retractor is the spool inside the seat belt system. It keeps the belt pulled in, lets the belt extend when the passenger moves, and locks the belt during a crash or sudden stop.
On these Xpeditor vehicles, the seatbelt and tether intermediate connection point on the seat bracket sits too close to the retractor mechanism. As the air-ride seat is adjusted up and down, that connection point contacts the retractor cover. Over time, the contact cracks the cover, which lets the retractor spring come loose and stop working.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the passenger belt stops retracting, hangs loose, or the retractor cover looks cracked, the belt system has already lost the function it needs for occupant protection.
Who's affected?
This is a single-model scope across the 2008-2012 Xpeditor model years, with the same front seat belt retractor component in each year.
| 2008 Autocar Xpeditor | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2009 Autocar Xpeditor | seat belt |
| 2010 Autocar Xpeditor | seat belt |
| 2011 Autocar Xpeditor | seat belt |
| 2012 Autocar Xpeditor | seat belt |
| Units affected | 699 |
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?
In a crash, a malfunctioning seat belt retractor can leave the passenger improperly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury or death. Until the recall repair is handled, confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule service through the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Autocar dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2012 Autocar Xpeditor is included in this recall.
- Contact Autocar Service Department at 1-888-218-3611 for repair instructions and appointment routing.
- Schedule the free repair that corrects the passenger-side seatbelt retractor interference.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 12V394 when you call.
- Limit passenger use of the right-hand air-ride seat until the seatbelt retractor repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Autocar technician handles the passenger-side Bostrom air-ride seat and the seatbelt retractor area covered by this recall. The source filing says Autocar notified owners and provided instructions for scheduling the vehicle repair, free of charge, but it does not name the exact repair operation in the remedy text. The dealer repair will be free once Autocar confirms the repair path for your VIN. Ask the Autocar service desk what work will be performed on the seat bracket, seatbelt tether connection point, and retractor before the vehicle is released.
Timeline
| August 13, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 13, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V394?
Recall 12V394 covers 699 2008-2012 Autocar Xpeditor heavy-duty vehicles with a right-side Bostrom air-ride seat. The seatbelt and tether connection point can interfere with the seat belt retractor, crack the retractor cover, and leave the passenger without proper restraint in a crash.
What should I do if my 2008-2012 Autocar Xpeditor is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V394. If it is, contact an Autocar service location to schedule the seat belt repair. Reference recall number 12V394 when you call. Autocar's service department phone number is 1-888-218-3611.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Autocar's remedy says the vehicle repair is free of charge. Parts and labor are covered through the recall repair path.
What is the safety risk in recall 12V394?
The safety risk is passenger injury in a crash. If the seat belt retractor malfunctions, the passenger is not properly restrained during the crash, increasing the risk of personal injury or death. The free repair addresses the seat belt retractor interference.
When did Autocar start this recall repair?
Autocar began recall 12V394 on November 13, 2012. Because that date has passed, owners of included 2008-2012 Autocar Xpeditor vehicles can contact Autocar service now to schedule the free seat belt repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V394000 |
|---|---|
| Autocar customer service | 1-888-218-3611 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V394 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V394000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →