Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- Component
- Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- Manufacturer
- Navistar, Inc.
- Vehicles affected
- 3,776
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2015-09-29
- Owners notified
- 2015-11-18
Defect description
Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 International ProStar trucks manufactured May 18, 2010, to April 5, 2013, 2012-2014 International LoneStar trucks manufactured September 7, 2011, to March 25, 2013, and 2011-2013 International TranStar trucks manufactured October 18, 2010, to February 20, 2013. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
Safety risk
If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Navistar will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2015. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825, or Fontaine customer service at 1-844-597-7393.