2009–2010 Kenworth T660 Recall: Latches/locks/linkages

The defect

KENWORTH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 T660 TRACTOR TRAILORS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2008 THROUGH JULY 31, 2009. THE RETAINING PINS SECURING THE HOOD STRUT LOCK TUBE TO THE HOOD STRUT ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE LOCK TUBE TO ROTATE ON THE STRUT ASSEMBLY. IN ITS NORMAL OPERATION THE SAFETY LATCH FEATURE IS AUTOMATICALLY SET AND IT PREVENTS THE HOOD FROM CLOSING. WITH THE HOOD CLOSED AND THE RETAINING PINS MISSING, THE LOCK TUBE MAY ROTATE RELATIVE TO THE GOOD STRUT RESULTING IN A NON-OPERATIONAL SAFETY LATCH FEATURE WHEN THE HOOD IS OPENED.

The risk

A NON-OPERATIONAL SAFETY LATCH FEATURE MAY NOT BE DETECTED BY AN OPERATOR INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE SHOULD THE HOOD UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSE.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT DISC AND LOCK TUBE RETAINING PINS WITH A REVISED PIVOT DISC AND CAP SCREWS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440.

KENWORTH SAFETY RECALL NO. 10KWE.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .