The problem
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks manufactured from July 23, 2013, through December 4, 2014, and equipped with certain Kidde disposable handheld fire extinguishers. These fire extinguishers may not fully discharge as designed when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released.
The risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not work correctly, there is an increased risk of injury to the truck occupants.
The fix
DTNA will notify owners, and Kidde will provide a replacement extinguisher when contacted directly or affected owners may go to an authorized DTNA repair facility to order a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Affected owners may contact Kidde directly toll free at (855) 283-7991 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL680.
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 Western Star dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 15V182000.
- 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.