VehicleVerdict

2012 Autocar Acx problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2012 Autocar Acx — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Acx years?

Acx NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted2 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 0 complaints
Acx NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Acx years to avoid →

Does the 2012 Autocar Acx have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V132000EngineMarch 19, 2014 · 4,192 units

Defect

Autocar, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 ACX, WX, and WXLL vehicles manufactured July 30, 2007, through February 10, 2014, and equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G or ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.

Consequence

The improper operation of the sensor could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.

Remedy

Cummins Inc. and Cummins Wesport Inc. will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499 or Cummins Inc. at 1-800-343-7357. Autocar's number for this recall is A-1402.

13V183000Visibility & WipersMay 8, 2013 · 797 units

Defect

Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 ACX trucks built May 1, 2012, through November 15, 2012. Due to an insufficient weld, the windshield wiper arms of the vehicles may not be held in their proper position. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 104, "Windshield wiping and washing systems."

Consequence

Without properly working windshield wipers, the driver's vision could be hindered by precipitation, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's recall campaign number is A-1303.

13V184000BrakesMay 8, 2013 · 82 units

Defect

Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2005-2013 ACX, WX, and WXLL trucks built November 16, 2004, through September 10, 2012. On the affected vehicles, the air brake systems were built without the required air tank drain valve. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence

Air tanks with valves omitted will not drain if moisture is introduced into the tank, potentially reducing air capacity in the air brake system, which could cause a reduction in brake performance and equipment durability, thus increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's recall campaign number is A-1302.

13V138000BrakesApril 11, 2013 · 532 units

Defect

Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 ACX vehicles manufactured January 24, 2011, through December 4, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with Meritor axle assemblies that were built with disc brakes using MGM J24 series air brake chambers. In the affected axles, the brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.

Consequence

Overheated brake components could result in a fire.

Remedy

Autocar will notify owners and will replace the actuators as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's campaign recall number is A-1301.

12V083000TransmissionMarch 2, 2012 · 111 units

Defect

MCNEILUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUTOCAR ACX TRUCKS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 17, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 10, 2012. THE REFUSE TRUCK MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY REQUIRE THAT THE TAG AXLE ON THE CHASSIS BE REMOVED. DURING REMOVAL, TWO AIR LINES MUST BE REINSTALLED IN THE CORRECT LOCATION. IF THE AIR LINES ARE RECONNECTED INCORRECTLY, THE TAG AXLE BRAKES WILL BE APPLIED WHEN THE TAG AXLE IS LIFTED, BUT WILL NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE TAG IS AXLE IS LOWERED.

Consequence

REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

MCNEILUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND PERFORM REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCNEILUS AT 507-374-6321.

12V046000BrakesFebruary 8, 2012 · 269 units

Defect

AUTOCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 ACX HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 5, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 ANTILOCK TRACTION RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAD TO A FIRE. UNEXPECTED CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO, THE BRAKES MAY BE APPLIED WITHOUT ILLUMINATING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, FAILING TO GIVE PROPER WARNING TO OTHER DRIVERS.

Remedy

AUTOCAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REPAIR UNTIL BENDIX DEVELOPS A PERMANENT REMEDY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUTOCAR AT 1-765-489-5499.

2012 Autocar Acx — common questions

Is the 2012 Autocar Acx reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Autocar Acx have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Autocar Acx. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Autocar Acx under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.