The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·11V203000·Announced 2011-03-24

PACCAR Recalls Kenworth and Peterbilt Trucks Due to Engine Fire Risk

PACCAR is recalling specific Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks equipped with Caterpillar C15 engines because a weld defect could 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 significant risk of fire, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

PACCAR Incorporated is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Kenworth C500, T2000, T600, and T660 trucks, as well as model year 2009-2011 Peterbilt 387 and 388 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Caterpillar C15 engines and were manufactured between May 11, 2006, and September 17, 2010. The recall affects 5,831 vehicles.

The safety defect involves the degradation of a combustion tube weld, which can cause radial heat impingement on the engine body. This heat may burn through certain bodies used on C15 engines, potentially resulting in a fire.

Caterpillar is handling owner notification and the remedy for this campaign. Owners will be notified by the end of April 2011 about the defect and again when the free remedy is available, estimated for late July 2011. The corrective action involves replacing the single-piece combustion tube with a thick-wall combustion tube that prevents heat breakthrough. Owners may contact Caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.

The recalled product

Product
PETERBILT, KENWORTH 387, T2000, T600, T660
Brand
PETERBILT
Manufacturer
PACCAR INCORPORATED
Category
Vehicle — Truck
Hazard
Affected units
5,831

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (6)

  • 387
  • T2000
  • T600
  • T660
  • 388
  • C500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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