Recall roundup: Freightliner, Ford, Ram among latest NHTSA vehicle safety notices
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued several recall notices for commercial vehicles in February, which include Ford and Ram pickup trucks, chassis, and vans. Some Daimler Truck brands also have safety recalls listed in the federal safety database.
Owners of the affected vehicles should be contacted via U.S. mail over the next two months, but fleet and independent owners of these vehicles can contact the NHTSA Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go visit nhtsa.gov for more details. Each individual recall notice is also linked below, along with details on how owners and fleets can address the potential safety problems.
Some Freightliner, Western Star trucks experience brake pull
Daimler Truck North America is recalling certain Freightliner and Western Star vehicles produced over the past six years for modular valve corrosion that might cause brake pull. The affected vehicles include some model year 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia trucks, 2022-23 Western Star 47X, Western Star 49X, and 2022 Freightliner 114SD vehicles. Potentially nearly 70,000 vehicles are affected by this recall.
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The brake modulator valves on the front axle might corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to the affected side during braking initiated by electronic stability control (ESC) or roll stability control (RSC), according to NHTSA. DTNA said dealers would replace the front brake modular valves for free. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by April 10. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number is FL966.
Freightliner Coronado sleeper bunks need tightening
Daimler Truck North America is recalling certain model year 2021-23 Freightliner Coronado tractors with foldable upper bunks. The mounting pivot bolt for the bed might loosen, increasing injury risks. Potentially 189 vehicles are affected by this recall.
Operators of these Coronado trucks can have the pivot bolts tightened for free at Freightliner dealers. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by April 5. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number is FL964.
Some Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 have electrical short
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2021-23 Ram 2500, 3500, and 4500 pickup trucks, along with 3500 and 5500 cab chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines. The recall is over an electrical short that might occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off. Potentially more than 300,000 Ram vehicles are affected by this recall.
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Operators of these vehicles are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete, according to NHTSA. Dealers will replace the relay free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 31. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 800-853-1403. The FCA US recall number is 13A. This recall is an expansion of and supersedes recall number 21V-798, according to NHTSA.
F-150 among Ford transmissions that need ‘park’ gear inspected
Ford is recalling several models, including the F-150 pickup truck, from 2022 and 2023 for a loose bolt in the transmission that might enable vehicles to roll while parked.
Certain model year 2022-23 F-150, Bronco, Explorer, Mustang, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions are involved in the recall. The transmission might contain a loose bolt that could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear—despite the gear shifter position indicating the vehicle is in “park.” Potentially nearly 1,000 vehicles are affected by this recall, according to NHTSA.
Ford dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the transmissions for free. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by Feb. 27. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 23S06.
Some Ford Transit vans could have fuel leak
Ford is recalling certain 2023 Transit vehicles because the fuel tank might not be welded properly. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of fire, according to NHTSA. Potentially nearly 1,200 vehicles are affected by this recall.
The fuel tank grade vent valve on some of these Transit vans might not be properly welded to the fuel tank shell, which can cause a fuel leak. Ford said that dealers would replace faulty fuel tanks for free. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 27. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 23S04.
