2012 Freightliner Western Star problems

Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 22, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 23, 2012. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN NATIONAL SEAT BRAND DRIVER’S SEATS. THESE SEAT BASES MAY HAVE OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELDS THAT MAY ALLOW THE SEAT TO BUCKLE UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence

AN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS INSTALLED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON MAY 16, 2012. THE RECALL TO PERFORM THE FINAL REMEDY BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, M2, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 11, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH A MERITOR DRIVELINE. THE TUBING USED TO ASSEMBLE THE AFFECTED DRIVELINES HAS A NONCONFORMING SEAM WELD WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING OF THE MATERIAL.

Consequence

A TUBE SEAM WELD THAT IS NOT PROPERLY BONDED CAN RESULT IN THE DRIVELINE ASSEMBLY FRACTURING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE TUBE SEAM WELD. THE FRACTURED TUBE CAN TWIST OR SEVER. THIS COULD RESULT IN ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE DRIVELINE, THE VEHICLE TO WHICH IT IS ATTACHED AND ANY ADDITIONAL NEARBY COMPONENTS. THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVELINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.