Vehicle recall 81V122000 · October 14, 1981

Autocar Autocar, White Truck White Truck and 2 more models

Steering shaft binder bolts on certain vehicles are either loose or over-tightened.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Steering shaft binder bolts on certain vehicles are either loose or over-tightened. Either condition can lead to a separation of the steering shaft from the steering column, even if the factory installed bolt has been properly retightened.
Remedy: Unique bolts have been designed for this campaign and will be installed along with new nuts. This will be done at no charge to owner.
Notes: Vehicle description: trucks.system: steering; steering shaft binder bolts.consequences of defect: shaft separation could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.note: as a precaution, immediately check the binder bolts on the steering shaftfor looseness. If they are loose, tighten them to 60 ft-lbs torque. Tighteningbolts does not permanently remedy the defect. New bolts and nuts must beinstalled.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 81V122000
Reported to NHTSA: October 14, 1981
Filed by: WHITE MOTOR CORPORATION
Owner notification: February 1, 1982
Vehicles potentially affected: 31,703
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 81V122000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Autocar Autocar (1975-1981): 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975
Western Western (1975-1977, 1980-1981): 1981, 1980, 1977, 1976, 1975
Western Star Western (1978-1979): 1979, 1978
White Truck White Truck (1975-1981): 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975

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