The problem
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Freightliner Cascadia, 122SD, and Business Class M2 trucks manufactured March 20, 2014, through April 10, 2014. Due to an axle manufacturing error, there may be weak spots in the beam of the affected axle assemblies.
The risk
The axle weak spots could cause the axle beam to bend or cause wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the axle beams for certain manufacturing dates, and replace the ones manufactured within a certain date range, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2014. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-385-4357. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-662.
Contacts
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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 Freightliner dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 14V367000.
- 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.