Recall 15V281 covers 41 2014-2016 Autocar Xspotter and Xpert vehicles for a crankcase vent elbow defect. Repair is free at any franchised Autocar dealer.
Autocar is recalling 41 2014-2016 Xspotter and Xpert vehicles equipped with Cummins Westport ISL G engines because excess crankcase pressure can detach the 90-degree elbow from the crankcase ventilation breather. Engine oil can contact hot surfaces and increase the risk of a fire; Autocar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2014-2016 Autocar Xspotter and Xpert use a crankcase ventilation breather on certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. The breather acts like an oil separator: it filters oil out of pressurized gases that escape from the crankcase during normal engine operation. A vent tube assembly then routes those gases down toward the bottom of the engine.
When crankcase pressure gets too high, the 90-degree elbow on that vent tube assembly can detach from the breather exit tube. The tube barbs do not hold the elbow firmly enough under that pressure. In the known incidents, a cracked piston was the main cause of the excessive pressure. Once the elbow comes loose, engine oil can reach hot engine surfaces.
Owners can see warning signs before the vent tube separates. Watch for loss of engine power, amber or red engine diagnostic lamps on the instrument cluster, or erratic engine operation.
Who's affected?
Spans Xspotter and Xpert trucks across the 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years, all tied to the engine component.
| 2016 Autocar Xspotter | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2015 Autocar Xspotter | Engine |
| 2016 Autocar Xpert | Engine |
| 2014 Autocar Xpert | Engine |
| 2014 Autocar Xspotter | Engine |
| 2015 Autocar Xpert | Engine |
| Units affected | 41 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
Engine oil on a hot surface increases the risk of a fire. Loss of engine power, amber or red diagnostic lamps, or erratic engine operation are warning signs tied to high crankcase pressure. If you see those signs, pull over safely and call the dealer before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Autocar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Autocar Xspotter or Xpert is included in this recall.
- Contact Autocar customer service to schedule the free Cummins service-center repair.
- Schedule the vent-tube elbow and ECM repair that secures the 90-degree elbow and limits crankcase pressure under misfire conditions.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 15V281 and Autocar recall MDTT-01 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary operation until the repair is complete, because engine oil on a hot surface increases fire risk.
What happens at the repair
At the service center, a technician secures the ends of the 90-degree elbow on the crankcase ventilation breather and reprograms the electronic control module with software that limits crankcase pressure under misfire conditions. The repair is available, and parts and labor are free under the recall. Autocar has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this recall related repair. Keep invoices and contact Autocar customer service to ask how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 12, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| May 12, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| June 16, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 16, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V281?
Recall 15V281 covers 41 2014-2016 Autocar Xspotter and Xpert vehicles with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive crankcase pressure can detach the 90-degree vent tube elbow, letting engine oil reach hot surfaces and increasing fire risk.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Autocar Xspotter or Xpert is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V281. If it is, arrange the free repair through Autocar or the Cummins service network. Reference Autocar recall number MDTT-01 when you call.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 15V281, Cummins service centers secure the 90-degree elbow ends and reprogram the electronic control module software free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the vent tube elbow detaches, engine oil can contact hot engine surfaces. Recall 15V281 does not carry a do-not-drive order, but an included vehicle still needs the free repair completed.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began on June 16, 2015. Because that date has passed, affected 2014-2016 Autocar Xspotter and Xpert owners should contact Autocar or the Cummins service network to arrange the free recall work.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V281000 |
|---|---|
| Autocar customer service | 1-765-589-5499 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V281 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V281000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →