Loss of Power Steering Assist

Affected vehicles (2)

Component / system

Defect

Foretravel, Inc. (Foretravel) is recalling certain 2023 Realm FS605 and Realm Presidential FS605P vehicles. The steering gear may have foreign material inside the gear that could build pressure within the system, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Risk / consequence

A sudden loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Foretravel will work with the chassis manufacturer, Shyft Group to replace the steering gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2024. Owners may contact Foretravel customer service at 1-800-955-6226.

Chronology of events

1. Aug 9, 2023

   August 9, 2023 – Product Safety and Compliance made aware of 3 complaints involving loss of power steering assist to the right.

2. Sep 27, 2023

   September 27, 2023 – Cummins/Meritor provided analysis from RH Sheppard indicating the steering gears from the complainant RV chassis contained foreign material (piece of plastic).

3. Oct 3, 2023

   October 3, 2023 – Received RH Sheppard’s 8-D indicating the foreign material was being introduced due to the sector shaft contacting the camera ring.

4. Oct 17, 2023

   October 17, 2023 – On-site meeting at RH Sheppard (w/Cummins-Meritor) to walk through their analysis, risk assessment, and to determine scope of problem.

5. November 2023

   November 2023 – On-going discussions continued regarding the potential risk and defining the scope of the problem.

6. Dec 5, 2023

   December 5, 2023 – Fourth complaint received involving loss of power steering assist to the right.

7. Dec 15, 2023

   December 15, 2023 – RH Sheppard, through Cummins-Meritor, requested our test vehicle be instrumented and data be collected (e.g. fluid flow and change in level of effort to steer).

8. Dec 18, 2023

   December 18, 2023 – Shyft supplied data previously gathered to RH Sheppard and Cummins-Meritor however RH Sheppard insisted on evaluating the test unit by following a UN ECE standard.

9. Jan 4, 2024

   January 4, 2024 – Data was reviewed with all parties, RH Sheppard requested an on-site visit with the test coach to witness the condition.

10. On January 23, Shyft determined there could be a safety related defect within the steering gear on the IFS.

11. Feb 7, 2024

    On February 7,2024 Spartan (Shyft) Notified Foretravel as the Final Stage Manufacture of the Safety Defect.

12. Feb 9, 2024

    On February 9, 2024 Fortravel filed Part 573 Safety Recall Report with NHTSA

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

NR - NR

Owner notification

APR 26, 2024 - APR 26, 2024