2011–2012 Kenworth C500, 2012 Kenworth T170, 2011 Kenworth T270 and 6 other models Recall: Service Brakes, Air

The defect

PACCAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 KENWORTH T270/370, T440/T470, T800, T660, W900 AND C500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 18, 2010, AND JANUARY 28, 2011. CERTAIN CAST IRON SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSINGS, WHICH TRANSMIT BRAKING FORCE FROM THE BRAKE CHAMBER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE CAM TUBE, MAY INCLUDE A FLOW NOTCH IN THE HANDLE PORTION OF THE HOUSING DUE TO AN ERROR DURING THE CASTING PROCESS. A FLOW NOTCH IN THE HANDLE PORTION MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE CROSS SECTION STRUCTURE AND CAUSE THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING TO FRACTURE.

The risk

IF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING WERE TO FRACTURE, THE WHEEL BRAKE TO WHICH THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING IS ATTACHED WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION, WHICH COULD INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES, AND IF MOUNTED ON THE STEER AXLE, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

KENWORTH SAFETY RECALL. NO.11KWA.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> .