Recall 12V483 affects 1,807 Altec-modified 2011-2012 Freightliner vehicles for a kinked front brake air supply line. Repair is free at a franchised Freightliner dealer.
Altec is recalling 1,807 2011-2012 vehicles mounted on Freightliner chassis under recall 12V483 because the front brake air supply line was installed in a way that leaves it susceptible to kinking. A kinked line can lead to loss of front brake control and increase crash risk; the Freightliner dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front brake air supply line on the 2011-2012 Altec Freightliner vehicles carries compressed air to the front brake system. In an air-brake setup, that air pressure lets the brake hardware apply clamping force when the driver presses the pedal. The line has to stay open and correctly routed so air reaches the front brakes without restriction.
On these vehicles, the front brake air supply line was installed incorrectly. That routing leaves the line vulnerable to a kink, which is a sharp bend that pinches the hose or tubing instead of leaving a clear path for air. When the line kinks, the front brakes do not receive the air supply they need, and braking performance is reduced.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not rely on a pedal change, noise, or visible damage to know the brake air line has kinked.
Who's affected?
Both model years are tied to the same brake system component.
| 2012 Altec Freightliner | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Altec Freightliner | brake system |
| Units affected | 1,807 |
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?
A kinked front brake line can cause loss of front brake control and increase the risk of a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon and ask the dealer how to move the vehicle if braking feels abnormal. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Altec Freightliner is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free front brake air-supply-line repair that fixes the kink-prone brake line.
- Call Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 with questions and reference recall number 12V483 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Altec mailed one. If not, give the dealer recall number 12V483.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and stop using the vehicle if front brake control feels reduced.
What happens at the repair
The source says Altec began the safety recall on January 4, 2013 and will repair the vehicles free of charge. At the dealer, a Freightliner technician addresses the front brake air supply line installation so the line is not kinked. Because the source does not list a current final remedy status, confirm parts and scheduling with the dealer. The dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| October 3, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 4, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V483?
Recall 12V483 covers 1,807 2011-2012 Altec Freightliner vehicles with a front air brake supply line that was installed incorrectly. The line can kink over time, which can cause loss of front brake control and raise crash risk. Altec will repair the vehicles for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Altec Freightliner is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V483. If it is, contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832 and ask how to get the front brake air supply line repair completed. Reference recall number 12V483 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Altec will repair the affected front brake air supply line free of charge. The safety recall began on January 4, 2013.
What is the safety risk in recall 12V483?
The safety risk is loss of front brake control. The recalled vehicles have a front brake air supply line that can kink over time because of improper installation. If that line kinks, braking control at the front axle can be reduced, which raises the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V483000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V483 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V483000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →