The problem
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with caterpillar engines, a single bank type exhaust clamp was installed on the tail pipes instead of a double band type clamp.
The risk
The single band clamp loses its clamping ability while under normal driving conditions causing the tail pipe to loosen and potentially fall off of the vehicle. The pipe could come off without warning and get into the path of other vehicles on the highway possibly resulting in properly damage, personal injury, or death.
The fix
Dealers will replace the single band clamps with double band clamps. Owner notification began may 3, 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. 03508. 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 03V165000.
- 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.