Daimler Trucks Recalls 2012 Freightliner and Western Star Trucks for Seat Defect
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 5,247 model year 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4900 trucks because driver's seat bases may have out-of-specification welds that could allow the seat to buckle unexpectedly.
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 (out-of-specification welds on seat bases) that could affect vehicle control and visibility, increasing the risk of a crash, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for structural vehicle defects.
Plain-English summary
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4900 vehicles manufactured between December 22, 2011, and February 23, 2012. The recall involves 5,247 vehicles that may be equipped with certain National Seat brand driver's seats. These seat bases may have out-of-specification welds that could allow the seat to buckle unexpectedly.
An unexpected movement of the seat could affect vehicle control and visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. DTNA will notify owners, and affected vehicles will have replacement components installed by DTNA authorized service facilities free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 16, 2012, and the recall to perform the final remedy began on November 21, 2012.
Owners may contact DTNA at 1-800-547-0712. 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 visit www.safercar.gov.
The recalled product
- Product
- FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA, WESTERN STAR
- Brand
- FREIGHTLINER
- Manufacturer
- DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
- Category
- Vehicle — Commercial Truck
- Affected units
- 5,247
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 (2)
- CASCADIA
- WESTERN STAR
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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