Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- Component
- Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- Manufacturer
- FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
- Vehicles affected
- 2,000
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2003-06-17
- Owners notified
- 2003-11-12
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCK TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.
Safety risk
IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 12, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT JOST INTERNATIONAL AT 616-846-7700 OR BY EMAIL TO [email protected] OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.