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Campaign 14V397 Posted July 2, 2014 287 units

2012-2015 Autocar Xpert Recall 14V397: Unexpected Bounce

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 14V397 affects 287 2012-2015 Autocar Xpert trucks for unexpected bounce above 25 mph. Repair is free at any franchised Autocar dealer.

Autocar is recalling 287 2012-2015 Xpert trucks with a 164-inch wheelbase and sweeper body gap because they can develop an unexpected bounce above 25 mph. That bounce can cause the operator to lose control and increase crash risk, and Autocar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The 2012-2015 Autocar Xpert in this recall is a Class 7 vocational truck with a sweeper body mounted behind the cab. The frame carries the cab, engine, and body, while the suspension keeps the truck settled over the road. On the recalled trucks, the 164-inch wheelbase and the gap between the cab and sweeper body are part of the affected setup.

The problem is an unexpected bounce while the truck is driven above 25 mph. Autocar linked the condition to trucks built in this configuration and issued engine calibrations specific to the engine emissions model. In plain terms, the truck is not staying settled the way it should at road speed, and the repair path changes how the engine is calibrated for that setup.

There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner or driver notices is the bounce itself while driving above 25 mph.

Who's affected?

Spans the 2012-2015 Xpert model years, with body or structural and suspension components listed separately.

2014 Autocar Xpert body or structural component
2014 Autocar Xpert suspension component
2013 Autocar Xpert body or structural component
2013 Autocar Xpert suspension component
2012 Autocar Xpert body or structural component
Units affected287
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date.

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?

An unexpected bounce can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, confirm the recall with your VIN, and arrange service if your Xpert is included. Repair is free at any franchised Autocar dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2015 Autocar Xpert is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Autocar dealer to schedule the free repair for the unexpected bounce issue.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Autocar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V397 when you call.
  4. Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Slow down if the truck starts to bounce and leave extra room to stop.
  5. Call Autocar customer service at 1-765-489-5499 with questions before your dealer visit.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, an Autocar technician handles the recall remedy for the bounce condition described in campaign 14V397. The filed remedy text does not list a specific part replacement or inspection step; it states that the remedy was under development, that an interim owner notice was mailed in August 2014, and that the recall began on November 20, 2014. Because the campaign is listed as available, the recall repair is free at the dealer now. Ask the service desk to confirm the open repair for your VIN before arranging service.

Timeline

July 2, 2014 NHTSA published the recall
November 20, 2014 Owner notification mailed
December 8, 2014 Dealer notification began
December 8, 2014 Dealer notification ended

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 14V397?

Recall 14V397 covers 287 2012-2015 Autocar Xpert trucks with a 164-inch wheelbase and sweeper body gap. At speeds above 25mph, these trucks can have an unexpected bounce that can cause the operator to lose control. Autocar began the recall repair process on November 20, 2014.

What should I do if my 2012-2015 Autocar Xpert is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 14V397. If it is, contact a franchised Autocar dealer or Autocar customer service at 1-765-489-5499. Reference recall 14V397 and Autocar recall number M-1408 when you ask for the repair path.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost, and Autocar is responsible for the recall remedy. Ask the Autocar dealer or Autocar customer service to confirm the current repair procedure for recall 14V397 before scheduling service.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. Autocar reported that certain Xpert sweeper trucks can bounce unexpectedly at speeds above 25mph, and that bounce can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle, raising crash risk.

What if I bought my Autocar Xpert used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the truck, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012-2015 Autocar Xpert is included, then contact an Autocar dealer or Autocar customer service with recall number 14V397.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V397000
Autocar customer service1-765-489-5499
NHTSA recall #14V397
NHTSA recall # (full)14V397000

Source documents

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 →