Caterpillar C15 Diesel Engine Recall for Fire Risk
Caterpillar is recalling C15 diesel engines installed in heavy trucks due to a weld defect that may cause a fire.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (engine weld degradation) that poses a risk of fire, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating.
Plain-English summary
Caterpillar Inc. is recalling certain C15 diesel engines manufactured between April 24, 2006, and March 27, 2009. These engines were sold and installed as original equipment for various heavy trucks. The recall affects 6,176 units.
The defect involves the degradation of a combustion tube weld. This degradation can result in radial heat impingement on the engine body, which may burn through certain bodies used on C15 engines. This condition could result in a fire.
Caterpillar will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on August 4, 2011. Owners may contact Caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recall
- Manufacturer
- CATERPILLAR INC.
- Category
- Vehicle — Heavy Truck Engine
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 6,176
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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