Recall 22V475 affects 653 2022-2023 Autocar Legend, Xpeditor, and Xspotter trucks for a steering gear that can fracture. Free repair once Autocar opens it.
Autocar is recalling 653 of its 2022-2023 Xpeditor, Xspotter, and Legend trucks under recall 22V475 because Sheppard steering gears were assembled incorrectly and can fracture. A fractured steering gear can cause loss of steering control and raise the risk of a crash; the dealer repair will be free at an Autocar dealer once Autocar finalizes the remedy.
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What's wrong?
The steering gear on these 2022-2023 Autocar Legend, Xpeditor, and Xspotter trucks is the heavy mechanical unit that translates the driver's steering wheel input into the side-to-side motion of the front wheels. Inside the gear, a worm-shaft rides on a set of recirculating steel balls that carry the load and let the shaft turn smoothly under high force. Those balls are what keep the steering responsive when a loaded truck is maneuvering at low speed.
On the affected trucks, the Sheppard steering gears were assembled with fewer recirculating balls than the design requires. With the load no longer spread across a full set of balls, the worm-shaft is overstressed during normal steering. Over time the shaft can fracture inside the gear, and once it breaks the driver loses the ability to steer the truck.
Before the internal fracture, the steering feels strained or harder to turn than usual. There is no warning light and no audible warning, so that change in steering effort is the only sign.
Who's affected?
Covers three Autocar truck lines (Xpeditor, Xspotter, Legend) across the 2022 and 2023 model years, all fitted with Sheppard steering gear.
| 2022 Autocar Xpeditor | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2023 Autocar Xspotter | steering system |
| 2022 Autocar Legend | steering system |
| 2023 Autocar Legend | steering system |
| 2022 Autocar Xspotter | steering system |
| 2023 Autocar Xpeditor | steering system |
| Units affected | 653 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control and raise the risk of a crash. The steering will feel strained before the gear fractures; there is no audible or visual warning, so treat any unusual resistance as a reason to stop driving and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Autocar dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022-2023 Autocar Legend, Xpeditor, or Xspotter is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner notification letter from Autocar. The final steering-gear repair is not available yet because the remedy is still under development.
- Contact a franchised Autocar dealer to be placed on the repair list for the steering-gear inspection and replacement that addresses the fracture risk.
- Call Autocar customer service at 765-489-5499 with questions, and reference recall number 22V475 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop driving the truck right away if you notice unusual steering feel, play, or noise.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Autocar technician inspects the Sheppard steering gear and replaces it if the assembly is incorrect. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Reimbursement follows the manufacturer's standard plan on file, so if you previously paid out of pocket to repair or replace the steering gear since the production date, bring your receipts and service paperwork to the service desk. Autocar's customer service line at 765-489-5499 can confirm what documentation the reimbursement review will need.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 1, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 29, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| August 29, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 29, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 29, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 30, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V475?
Recall 22V475 covers 653 2022-2023 Autocar Legend, Xpeditor, and Xspotter trucks equipped with Sheppard steering gears that were assembled incorrectly and can fracture. A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control. Autocar dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear at no cost.
What should I do if my 2022-2023 Autocar Legend, Xpeditor, or Xspotter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 22V475. If it is, contact a franchised Autocar dealer to schedule the steering-gear inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 22V475 when you call. The repair is free. You can also contact Autocar customer service at 765-489-5499.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Autocar dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear free of charge. Autocar's internal reference for this recall is ACX-2204 DC-2202, which the dealer service desk can cross-reference with NHTSA campaign 22V475.
What is the safety risk?
The Sheppard steering gear can fracture because of incorrect assembly. A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control, which increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign called out in the recall filing, so the failure can happen without notice. Keep the truck parked when practical until the dealer completes the repair.
What if I bought my Autocar truck used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Autocar mailed owner letters on August 29, 2022, but used buyers often never receive them. Check your VIN to confirm your truck is included, and reference recall number 22V475 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V475000 |
|---|---|
| Autocar customer service | 765-489-5499 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V475 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V475000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →