8,500 Western Star and Freightliner Trucks Recalled Due to Risk of Steering Loss
Portland, OR – Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has issued yet another recall, this time for an issue that could potentially result in steering loss.
DTNA submitted the recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on May 20, 2021.
According to DTNA, the recall affects 8,482 Freightliner and Western Star units built with certain suspect tie rod clamp nuts.
On affected units, the tie rod clamps may be loose, which could result in loose tie rod ends that could break or detach.
Broken or detached tie rod ends can result in steering loss, thus increasing the risk of a crash, DTNA stated.
All of the tire rod clamp nuts involved in the recall were manufactured at Mexico-based USK International.
The unit models include year model 2021-2022:
• Freightliner Cascadia
• Freightliner 114SD
• Freightliner 108SD
• Freightliner 122SD
• Freightliner Business Class M2
• Western Star 4700
• Western Star 4900
• Western Star 5700
• Freightliner Custom Chass S2 Chassis
• Freightliner Custom Chass RV Chassis
• Freightliner Custom Chass XC Chassis
• Freightliner Custom Chass MT Chassis
All affected units were produced between December 15, 2020 and April 14, 2021, DTNA reported.
DTNA stated the company is not aware of any field failures related to this concern as of May 2021.
In addition, DTNA does not have “any information to suggest the existence of a defect with an unreasonable risk to the safety of any vehicles in the field.”
Nonetheless, the company elected to conduct a voluntary safety recall of potentially affected units.
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Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2021.
As a remedy, dealers will replace the tie rod clamp bolts and nuts on affected units, free of charge.
Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1 (800) 547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL-888.
You can read more about the recall on NHTSA’s website HERE.
