The problem
On certain heavy duty trucks built with a caterpillar engine with a 4 degree tilt, the starter field-stud may contact the frame rail because of variations in the air gap between the field stud and the frame rail. Should the starter field stud contact the frame rail, there would be a direct full battery short to the frame (ground) when the starter is in the cranking mode.
The risk
A direct short may create a fire hazard and can result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
The fix
Dealers will replace the starter nose cone. The new nose cone will reorient the starter stud farther away from the frame rail to completely eliminate the clearance issue. Owner notification began on march 21, 2003. 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 international at 1-800-448-7825.
Contacts
International recall no. 03504. Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized International dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 03V070000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.