WESTERN STAR HERITAGE 1997: TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 97V152000

Make Model Year
WESTERN STAR HERITAGE 1997
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
1997-09-19 1997-09-14 1997-09-18

Production Dates: 1997-01-01 - 1997-08-31

Manufacturers Involved: WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

Component: TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 14

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATES AND REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FIFTH WHEEL COMPONENTS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19,1997.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 WESTERN STAR AT 1-250-860-3319. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.