Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
- Component
- Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
- Manufacturer
- DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
- Vehicles affected
- 53
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2009-06-18
- Owners notified
- 2009-08-22
Defect description
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 53 MY 2009-2010 WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS BUILT WITH DD15 ENGINES. A NEW FORWARD CAB CROSSMEMBER DESIGN REDUCED CLEARANCE FOR CAB MOUNTED BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH POWER CABLES ON STANDARD CAB HEIGHT VEHICLES. DURING CAB ARTICULATION THE NEW CROSSMEMBER MAY PINCH POWER CABLES AGAINST THE CAB.
Safety risk
CABLES THAT BECOME PINCHED BETWEEN THE CAB AND FORWARD CAB CROSSMEMBER COULD SHORT TO GROUND AND POTENTIALLY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CABLES AND REINSTALL THEM IN A NEW SAFE LOCATION. DAMAGED CABLES WILL BE REPLACED. BOTH WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 7, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.