The problem
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018 Freightliner Cascadia, M2 Business Class, 114SD, and 122SD trucks, and Western Star 4700 and 5700 trucks. These vehicles have tow hooks used for recovery purposes that may fail during use.
The risk
If the tow hook fails without warning during a recovery operation, the sudden release of the vehicle may increase the risk of injury.
The fix
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tow hooks and, depending on their production date codes, will replace them, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-742.
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, Western Star dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 17V452000.
- 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.