Recall 26V501 affects 137 2023-2027 Autocar E-Actt terminal tractors for an unsecured ABS ECU. Repair will be free at any franchised Autocar dealer once available.
Autocar is recalling 137 2023-2027 E-Actt terminal tractors because the ABS Electronic Control Unit was improperly secured and can separate. If the ABS ECU separates, damage can cause the ABS system to fail and increase crash risk; the Autocar dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The ABS ECU on the 2023-2027 Autocar E-Actt is the electronic control box for the antilock braking system. It reads wheel-speed and braking inputs, then tells the air-brake ABS system how to manage brake pressure so the wheels do not lock during hard braking. That control box has to stay firmly mounted to keep its electrical connections and brake-control logic in place.
On affected terminal tractors, a manufacturing error left the ABS ECU improperly secured. The fasteners or flat washers that hold the unit in place were missing or not secured the way Autocar intended. With the control unit loose, the ABS ECU can separate from its mounting point, which leaves the antilock braking system without the control unit it depends on.
The warning sign is the ABS Malfunction Indicator Light, or MIL, on the dash. If that light comes on, the tractor is telling you the ABS has detected a fault and needs dealer attention.
Who's affected?
Covers the E-Actt across 5 model years, all tied to the anti-lock brake system (ABS).
| 2024 Autocar E-Actt | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
|---|---|
| 2026 Autocar E-Actt | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| 2025 Autocar E-Actt | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| 2023 Autocar E-Actt | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| 2027 Autocar E-Actt | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| Units affected | 137 |
| 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?
If the ABS ECU separates, it can be damaged and the ABS system can fail, increasing crash risk. Watch for an ABS Malfunction Indicator Light. If it appears, drive cautiously, leave extra stopping room, and contact an Autocar dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Autocar dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2027 Autocar E-Actt is included in this recall.
- Watch for Autocar's owner notification letter, scheduled to be mailed September 25, 2026.
- Contact Autocar customer service at 1-888-218-3611 with questions, and reference recall number 26V501 when you call.
- Contact a franchised Autocar dealer after the repair opens to schedule the free fastener replacement that secures the ABS ECU.
- Drive with extra braking distance until the repair is complete, because a separated ABS ECU can damage the ABS system.
What happens at the repair
Autocar has identified the dealer fix: replacing the fasteners that secure the ABS Electronic Control Unit. The final dealer repair will be free once available. When the remedy opens, an Autocar technician replaces the affected fasteners so the ABS ECU stays secured. Parts and labor are covered by the recall. Autocar used its general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related ABS ECU fastening repair, contact Autocar customer service with your repair invoice and payment records to ask for reimbursement under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 30, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 25, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| September 28, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V501?
Recall 26V501 covers 137 2023-2027 Autocar E-Actt terminal tractors with ABS electronic control units that are not secured correctly. If the unit separates and becomes damaged, the ABS system can fail and increase crash risk. Autocar will replace the fasteners for free.
What should I do if my 2023-2027 Autocar E-Actt is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific terminal tractor is included in recall 26V501. If it is, contact an Autocar service location to schedule the fastener replacement once the repair process opens. Reference recall 26V501 or Autocar recall ACTT-2601 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Autocar will replace the ABS ECU fasteners free of charge. Keep the recall number handy when you contact the service desk.
What is the safety risk in recall 26V501?
The safety risk is ABS failure from a separated ABS ECU. The recall filing says the unit can separate, become damaged, and cause the antilock braking system to fail, increasing crash risk. The repair secures the unit with replacement fasteners.
When will Autocar notify owners about recall 26V501?
Autocar expects to mail owner notification letters on September 25, 2026. A mailed letter is helpful, but the VIN decides whether your specific E-Actt is included. Check your VIN if you bought the vehicle used or manage a fleet.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V501000 |
|---|---|
| Autocar customer service | 1-888-218-3611 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V501 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V501000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on August 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →