Bendix has identified a potential defect in our Bendix ATR-6 valve manufactured between December 2, 2010, and January 18, 2012. On January 26, 2012, Bendix advised NHTSA of the potential defect. The defect, which can potentially occur only in vehicles operating in extremely cold conditions (at or below 0 degrees F / -18 degrees C), has caused several vehicle manufacturers – PACCAR, Volvo, and Navistar – to defer shipments of trucks with the ATR-6 valve manufactured between December 2, 2010, and January 18, 2012. Approximately 50–60,000 vehicles are covered.
The company remains in close contact with our customers and are working diligently to address the issue and remedy the situation. A temporary remedy kit is available now. A permanent remedy kit will be forthcoming.
The ATR-6 valve is an Automatic Traction Control Relay Valve. Vehicle operators are advised that this is an intermittent air leakage issue, not related to Bendix stability systems. Vehicle ABS and service braking will still operate normally on covered vehicles. It is also essential to understand that if a vehicle operator elects to install the temporary remedy kit, Bendix ESP full stability system and Bendix Wingman ACB and Wingman Advanced will be temporarily suspended until the permanent remedy kit is installed.
A Q&A about this issue is available through the Bendix ATR Value Update link at www.bendix.com. In addition, our Bendix ATR-6 Action Line is staffed from 7 am–8 pm ET, seven days a week for technical questions and ordering information. The toll free number is (800) 478-1793.
