Recall 21V891 affects 20 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck trucks for power steering pump seal failure. Repair will be free at a franchised Sutphen dealer once available.
Sutphen is recalling 20 2020 Fire Truck vehicles under recall 21V891 because pressure in the power steering pump can break the shaft seal and cause a loss of power steering assist. That loss can make the truck harder to steer and increase crash risk; the Sutphen dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The power steering pump on the 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck supplies hydraulic pressure that helps the steering system turn the front wheels. On a fire truck, that assist matters because the steering gear still has to move heavy tires and front-end weight during slow turns, tight positioning, and emergency maneuvering.
On affected trucks in NHTSA campaign 21V891, the pump was built with a rotor face that was not flat enough after the grinding process. That uneven surface lets pressure build inside the pump. The extra pressure breaks the shaft seal, and the pump loses the hydraulic pressure needed to provide power steering assist.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the seal fails, the driver still has mechanical steering, but the wheel becomes much harder to turn because the power assist is gone.
Who's affected?
| 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck | power steering system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 20 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of power steering assist makes the fire truck harder to steer and increases the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously until the truck is inspected, and treat sudden heavy steering as a reason to stop in a safe place and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Sutphen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck is included in this recall.
- Contact Sutphen customer service at 1-614-889-1005 for current repair instructions before scheduling work.
- Ask about the power-steering-pump inspection and replacement that addresses shaft-seal failure and loss of power steering assist.
- Reference recall number 21V891 when you call Sutphen or a franchised Sutphen service location.
- Bring Sutphen's July 1, 2022 owner notice if you have it, plus any service records related to steering-assist concerns.
What happens at the repair
Sutphen is still developing the remedy, so the final dealer repair is not open yet. Once available, a Sutphen technician will inspect the power steering pump serial numbers and replace any pump covered by the recall. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. Sutphen has a general reimbursement plan on file for related repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid for this power steering pump repair, contact Sutphen customer service at 1-614-889-1005 and ask what documentation is needed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 17, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 25, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| February 25, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 25, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 1, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V891?
Recall 21V891 covers 20 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck vehicles with a hydraulic power steering pump issue. Pressure can build in the pump and break the shaft seal, causing a loss of power steering assist and increasing crash risk. Sutphen dealers will inspect pump serial numbers and replace affected pumps for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Sutphen Fire Truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 21V891. If it is, contact a franchised Sutphen dealer or Sutphen customer service at 1-614-889-1005 for current repair instructions. Reference recall number 21V891 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Sutphen dealers will inspect the power steering pump serial numbers and replace any affected pump free of charge once the repair path is open.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V891?
The safety risk is loss of power steering assist. If the pump shaft seal breaks, steering the fire truck can require more effort, which can increase the risk of a crash. The recall does not include a do-not-drive instruction.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V891000 |
|---|---|
| Sutphen customer service | 1-614-889-1005 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V891 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V891000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →