Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyRecall 08V-176 · Kenworth vehicles
PACCAR INCORPORATED recall 08V-176 covers 172 Kenworth vehicles for a trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly problem, reported to NHTSA on April 17, 2008.
Source: NHTSA recall 08V176000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
PACCAR IS RECALLING 172 MY 2007 KENWORTH T800 SHORT HOOD, W900 LONG HOOD AND T600 TRACTOR/TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND SIMPLEX FIFTH WHEELS. IF THE PIVOT BOLT JOINT FOR THE LEVER BAR IS OVER TORQUED, THE SPACER DEFORMS, AND MAKES CONTACT WITH THE LEVER BAR. THIS CONDITION COUPLED WITH CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEASONAL DRY OUT, CAN AFFECT THE LOCK SYSTEM OF THE FIFTH WHEEL, PREVENTING THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.
The risk
THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE OPERATOR'S KNOWLEDGE, CAUSING THE TRACTOR AND TRAILER TO DISENGAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix
KENWORTH IS WORKING WITH SAF-HOLLAND SIMPLEX AND WILL INSPECT THE PIVOT BOLT JOINT FOR A DEFORMED SPACER AND REPLACE THE BOLT, WASHER AND SPACER WITH A HEX-HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR SAF-HOLLAND AT 1-231-773-3271.
PACCAR/KENWORTH RECALL NO. 08KW5.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from March 1, 2006 to December 5, 2006. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.