Freightliner WESTERN STAR recalls by model year

Reported: 2005-06-14 (June 14, 2005) · Model years: 2004

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS AND THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND/NEWAY AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, A TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTING MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN FOR THOMAS BUILT OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 10, 2006; AND FOR FREIGHTLINER OWNERS ON APRIL 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2005-04-27 (April 27, 2005) · Model years: 2005

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ACCURIDE ALUMINUM WHEELS, THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY PRE-STRESSED. THIS ALLOWS CRACKS TO DEVELOP OVER TIME.

Consequence: THIS MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO WHEEL FAILURE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2011-04-26 (April 26, 2011) · Model years: 2011, 2012

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, M2, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 11, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH A MERITOR DRIVELINE. THE TUBING USED TO ASSEMBLE THE AFFECTED DRIVELINES HAS A NONCONFORMING SEAM WELD WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING OF THE MATERIAL.

Consequence: A TUBE SEAM WELD THAT IS NOT PROPERLY BONDED CAN RESULT IN THE DRIVELINE ASSEMBLY FRACTURING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE TUBE SEAM WELD. THE FRACTURED TUBE CAN TWIST OR SEVER. THIS COULD RESULT IN ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE DRIVELINE, THE VEHICLE TO WHICH IT IS ATTACHED AND ANY ADDITIONAL NEARBY COMPONENTS. THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVELINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Reported: 2012-04-02 (April 2, 2012) · Model years: 2012

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 22, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 23, 2012. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN NATIONAL SEAT BRAND DRIVER’S SEATS. THESE SEAT BASES MAY HAVE OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELDS THAT MAY ALLOW THE SEAT TO BUCKLE UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS INSTALLED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON MAY 16, 2012. THE RECALL TO PERFORM THE FINAL REMEDY BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.