2011 Freightliner Cascadia, 2011 Freightliner Columbia Glider, 2011 Freightliner Coronado and 2 other models Recall: Service Brakes, Air

The defect

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, COLUMBIA GLIDER KIT, CORONADO, M2, AND WESTERN STAR4900 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 16, 2010, THROUGH MARCH 9, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH GUNITE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE "KNITTING" OF THE IRON AT THE TIME OF CASTING, INADEQUATE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING CAN OCCUR, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HOUSING TO BREAK AT THE HANDLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING LOADS.

The risk

IF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING WERE TO BREAK, THE WHEEL BRAKE TO WHICH THE SLACK ADJUSTER IS ATTACHED WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY AND, IF MOUNTED ON THE STEER AXLE, THE VEHICLE COULD PULL TO ONE SIDE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

The fix — what to do

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED SLACK ADJUSTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

DTNA'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS FL-605.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> .