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Author: Professional Technician Staff

  • Massive recall announced for Ford, Lincoln; bad backup cameras cited

    Massive recall announced for Ford, Lincoln; bad backup cameras cited

    Ford and Lincoln are recalling 1,456,417 cars, trucks, and SUVs to fix a backup camera that may show a blank, distorted, or upside-down image.

    Recalled vehicles include:
    • 2017-2019 Ford Econoline vans
    • 2015-2018 Ford Edge SUVs
    • 2015-2017 Ford Expedition SUVs
    • 2015-2019 Ford F-250, F-350, and F-450 Super Duty pickup trucks
    • 2016-2019 Ford F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks
    • 2015-2019 Ford Mustang coupes and convertibles
    • 2019 Ford Ranger pickup trucks
    • 2016-2019 Ford Transit vans
    • 2015-2018 Ford Transit Connect vans
    • 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator SUVs
    • 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC SUVs

    The problem is being blamed on faulty cameras provided by a supplier.

    Ford supplied documents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showing the company is says it’s aware of 18 crashes, 195 owner complaints, 44,123 warranty claims, and no injuries related to this recall. 

    The NHTSA said dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed Sept. 22. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.

    Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270.

  • ‘Do Not Drive’ recalls spike to 725,000

    ‘Do Not Drive’ recalls spike to 725,000

    The number of critical “Do Not Drive” recalls has jumped more than 65% since the summer of 2024, to 725,000, according to CARFAX data.

    Automakers working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issue “Do Not Drive” recalls when a vehicle’s defect is so dangerous that it should not be operated under any circumstances — not even for a short trip. The risk of a crash, fire, or serious injury is so severe that both manufacturers and federal safety regulators advise owners to park the vehicle immediately and have it towed to a dealership for repairs. These recalls often involve critical safety systems, including brake failures or defective airbags that can explode.

    The Top 10 states with vehicles that have a “Do Not Drive” recall:

    1. California: 118,400
    2. Texas: 61,200
    3. Florida: 40,600
    4. Arizona: 28,000
    5. Ohio: 25,400
    6. Pennsylvania: 23,500
    7. North Carolina: 22,400
    8. Georgia: 21,900
    9. Tennessee: 21,300
    10. Illinois: 18,800

    CARFAX data also found that the total number of vehicles in the country with at least one recall has dropped by about 4 million since last year, to 54.6 million vehicles with unrepaired recalls nationwide.

    “Programs like the Vehicle Recall Search Service, launched in 2018 by CARFAX and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, help state motor vehicle, public safety, and inspection departments identify vehicles with unresolved recalls,” said Faisal Hasan, vice president of Data at CARFAX. “To date, this initiative has pinpointed millions of vehicles that need attention, making roads safer for everyone.”

    Eight state DMVs use the Vehicle Recall Search Service: California, New York, Ohio, Arizona, Texas, Connecticut, and Maryland; Washington and Puerto Rico joined most recently. The Service is free for states and other qualified users.

  • Stellantis plans $41 million distribution center north of Atlanta

    Stellantis plans $41 million distribution center north of Atlanta

    Automaker Stellantis recently announced it plans to spend more than $41 million to build a new Mopar Parts distribution center (PDC) in Forsyth, Georgia.

    Located about 60 miles south of Atlanta, the nearly 422,000-square-foot facility will further strengthen the company’s U.S. parts distribution network, supporting dealers and customers of the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo and FIAT brands throughout the Southeastern United States.

    The facility will feature a 16,000-square-foot AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system. The AutoStore system uses 66 robots designed to retrieve parts from a high-density grid of bins, transporting them to processing stations where employees prepare final shipments. This next-generation automation enhances order processing speed, accuracy and inventory control while reducing the physical footprint required for storage, according to a statement from the company.

    The new Georgia facility will support about 90 UAW-represented jobs.

    The Georgia investment builds on Stellantis’ broader transformation of its parts distribution network. In July, the company announced a $388 million investment to create a Metro Detroit Megahub, its largest PDC project to date, and earlier this year celebrated the opening of a $64 million PDC in East Fishkill, New York.

  • Skateboard legend Tony Hawk to be keynote speaker at IMPACT conference

    Skateboard legend Tony Hawk to be keynote speaker at IMPACT conference

    The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies recently announced legendary skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 IMPACT Conference Oct. 19-24 in Orlando.

    Hawk will present his inspiring keynote, “How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO.” He will share the story of his journey from professional skateboarder to successful CEO, offering lessons on leadership, perseverance, and staying true to one’s values.

    Moving easily between the skate ramp and the boardroom, he founded a skateboard company, Birdhouse, and has a video game series bearing his name that has sold over $1 billion worldwide, making it the best-selling action sports game franchise in gaming history.

    “Tony Hawk stands out as an entrepreneur who worked hard, rose through the ranks, and achieved great success, which perfectly aligns with the experiences of our distributors,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty vice president of Marketing. “Our attendees are sure to head back to their businesses inspired to catch air and carve their own path to success with renewed energy and vision.” 

    The IMPACT Conference is a weeklong event that brings together the heavy duty aftermarket industry’s leading distributors, suppliers, industry associates, and aftermarket leaders. In addition to Hawk’s keynote, the conference will feature business and industry updates, annual stockholder and member meetings, interactive panels, educational sessions, a trade show, networking opportunities, and more than 1,500 one-on-one distributor-supplier partner meetings.

  • Over 90,00 Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled for power loss

    Over 90,00 Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled for power loss

    Chrysler recently anniunced it is recalling 91,787 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicles because a software error in the hybrid control processor may result in a loss of drive power.

    The remedy is under development, according to the company.

    Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Oct. 23.

    Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is 73C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginningThursday.

  • M&K Truck Centers buys General Truck Sales’ four locations

    M&K Truck Centers buys General Truck Sales’ four locations

    Michigan-based M&K Truck Centers recently purchased four locations of General Truck Sales, Inc.

    Three of the General Truck Sales locations are in Indiana and one is in Ohio.

    Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    General Truck Sales, Inc. is a family-owned business founded in 1958. The business sells, leases, repairs, and services new and used light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks. General Truck Salevfcs, Inc. is an authorized Volvo, Mack, Hino, and Isuzu dealer and recognized four times by Volvo Trucks as North American Dealer of the Year.

    The company’s facilities include Toledo, Ohio, which sits on 20.25 acres with a 92,800 square-foot building, Pendleton, Indiana, on 19.4 acres with a 70,800 square-foot building, and two locations in Muncie, Indiana.

    Steve Bassett, chief executive officer of General Truck Sales, Inc. said, “Since our inception in 1958, General Truck Sales has been providing first-class service to our customers. After 67 years in business and 34 years of ownership under my guidance, I have chosen to retire. Selling my business was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner throughout the process.”

    M&K Truck Centers is a commercial vehicle dealer group headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan. It operates over 30 locations, employing more than 1,000 people. The company represents Mack, Volvo, Hino, and Isuzu trucks; Wabash, East, and Vanguard trailers; and Renegade motor coaches.

    Founded in 1989 by Ron Meyering, M&K began with the purchase of used truck inventory and steadily expanded into new truck sales, adding Volvo in 2002 and Mack in 2003. Over the years, M&K Truck Centers has grown through several strategic acquisitions.

    Meyering, chief executive officer of M&K Truck Centers said, “The acquisition of General Truck Sales, Inc. in Indiana and Ohio was a perfect geographical fit for M&K Truck Centers. Our team is excited about this acquisition, and we look forward to including the General Truck Sales employees in our ESOP employee ownership plan.”

    General Truck Sales, Inc. will be renamed M&K Truck Centers, and all four locations will remain at their current sites.

  • ASE offers free webinar on Fuel Trim

    ASE offers free webinar on Fuel Trim

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers the free webinar “Fuel Trim: Teaching Essential Skills for Engine Performance”Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m.

    Instructors from ATech Training will present this online webinar to learn how to master short term (STFT) and long term (LTFT) fuel trim analysis for effective engine diagnostics. The webinar covers:

    • Air-fuel ratio fundamentals
    • Sensor operation
    • Fuel trim interpretation
    • OBD-II scan tool usage
    • Troubleshooting common fuel trim issues

    Participants in this webinar will receive a certificate of attendance for this live session. Allow one week for automatic email delivery of the certificate.

    Click here for more information or to register.

  • RevHD Creates New Line of Sockets to Simplify Bearing Adjustments

    RevHD Creates New Line of Sockets to Simplify Bearing Adjustments

    RevHD, a leading provider of premium wheel end components, has expanded its product line with the release of a new precision-engineered line of sockets that allows visual use of the technician-trusted 2-1-1 bearing adjustment procedure for all manually adjusted hubs.

    RevHD’s new sockets feature etched hash marks that guide technicians through the 2-1-1 process: an easy-to-remember, repeatable method that helps eliminate human error and delivers consistent RP-618 accuracy on the wheel end.

    Built with input from the shop floor, these sockets can be used with a wide range of nuts on the market (including the Rev-Loc Universal Spindle Nut) to deliver a TMC RP-618 perfect bearing adjustment on any manually adjusted hub, according to the company.

    “This socket is a technician-first solution that helps make every bearing adjustment more accurate,” said Sean McDonald, president, RevHD. “Ours is a grassroots approach, built on listening to technicians and fleet owners and ultimately designing products that make their jobs easier. Our new socket is no different, allowing technicians to more easily and quickly conduct a proper bearing adjustment on a manually adjusted hub. It’s at the core of what we do – maintenance made simple.”

    The 2-1-1 method comes to life on RevHD’s sockets by using etched hash marks, allowing you to see the markings that otherwise would be covered by a traditional socket, the company said.

    Designed to pair with the Rev-Loc Spindle Nut and compatible with industry- standard options like the Pro Torq nut, the socket enhances both accuracy and efficiency in wheel-end service.

    Key features include:

    • Etched hash marks for easy 2-1-1 visual alignment
    • Available in five popular sizes for common axle nuts, including the TP axle
    • Precision-matched sizing for repeatable, accurate torque settings
  • Peterbilt of Atlanta’s Shelley Pearson graduates from ATD Academy

    Peterbilt of Atlanta’s Shelley Pearson graduates from ATD Academy

    Peterbilt of Atlanta recently announce that Shelley Pearson has graduated from the 2025 American Truck Dealers Academy.

    Pearson, who has been with Peterbilt of Atlanta for more than 10 years, completed a rigorous, year-long educational program focusing on six disciplines key to successful management and leadership in the commercial truck industry.

    “This is a major commitment to our customers and our dealership,” said Scott Pearson, President/CEO. “Our employees meet the highest ethical standards in the industry, and our customers will benefit greatly from Shelley’s knowledge, skills, and passion for excellence. She has worked diligently for this, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her on our team.

    ATD Academy prepares current and future dealership leaders to improve each department’s efficiency while examining how new technology and innovations reshape the industry. Academy classes are taught by industry experts in state-of-the-art classrooms, with hands-on practical applications in each area of the dealership. Students develop an end-to-end view of business and dealership operations.

    Academy students also spend a day on Capitol Hill to meet with a member of Congress to gain insight into the lawmaking process, the importance of dealer fly-ins to Washington, D.C., and why inviting members of Congress to visit their stores can ultimately benefit dealers, their employees and their customers.

    Established in 1970, American Truck Dealers (ATD), a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), represents franchised medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers holding nearly 5,600 separate franchises, both domestic and import. NADA/ATD Academy has prepared more than 12,000 graduates for good-paying, high-quality careers since its inception in 1979.

  • Pete Store opens first North Carolina location; has 12 service bays

    Pete Store opens first North Carolina location; has 12 service bays

    The Pete Store, one of the largest Peterbilt dealer groups in North America, has opened a new location in Asheville, North Carolina.

    Located at 223 Amboy Rd., the 30,000-square-foot facility on a five-acre site marks the company’s first North Carolina location. It offers preventive maintenance, warranty repair, advanced diagnostics, and mobile service, supported by a comprehensive all-makes parts inventory. The new location has 12 service bays.

    “We are excited to bring The Pete Store experience to Western North Carolina,” said Greg Arscott, president of The Pete Store. “This region is home to a large and growing base of Peterbilt customers, and this investment allows us to deliver the award-winning support they deserve closer to where they operate.”

    The new location is expected to create at least 30 jobs as the company hires technicians, parts professionals, and support staff this fall, according to a statement from the company.

    The Pete Store now operates 31 locations across the eastern United States.

    Founded in 2001, The Pete Store provides sales of new and pre-owned trucks, all-makes parts, service, mobile service, body shops, financing, leasing, and rental of Peterbilt trucks.