VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FONTAINE SL6FM229-8375 FIXED FIFTH WHEELS. THE FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATE FLANGES IN THE FRONT AND REAR CAN INTERFERE WITH THE NORMAL ARTICULATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL. THIS INTERFERENCE CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE OF THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK HANDLE AND/OR THE TOP PLATE.
Safety risk
DAMAGE OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TRACTOR AND THE SEMI-TRAILER ALLOWING THE SEMI-TRAILER TO SEPARATE FROM THE TRACTOR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATES AND REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FIFTH WHEEL COMPONENTS.
Service brakes, air: supply: low pressure warning: switch
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
40
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-14
Owners notified
1997-10-10
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY 6X4 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EITHER HENDRICKSON RT/RS SERIES SUSPENSIONS OR CHALMERS 800 SERIES SUSPENSIONS, WITH A WHEEL BASE GREATER THAN 250 INCHES, AND WESTERN STAR'S AIR '96' AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WITHOUT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE AIR BRAKE RELEASE TIME REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Safety risk
AIR BRAKE RELEASE TIME MAY BE LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED BY THE OPERATOR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN EACH OF THE DROP LINES TO THE REAR MOST BRAKE CHAMBERS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.