Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Western Star 4900 and 6900 heavy-duty trucks due to a defect in the inversion valve that could delay park brake engagement, increasing the risk of unintentional vehicle movement and potential crashes.
Affected Vehicles:
- Model: 2023-2024 Western Star 4900 and 6900
- Units: Approximately 149 vehicles
- Production Dates: June 17, 2022 – September 11, 2023 (4900) and August 18, 2022 – June 14, 2023 (6900)
- VIN Range: Not sequential
Safety Risk: The defective inversion valve may cause intermittent delays in park brake engagement, exceeding the 3-second maximum specified by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 121. This could lead to the vehicle rolling away unintentionally and potentially causing accidents.
Warning Signs: In case of a delayed valve, drivers may notice the absence of the usual park brake exhaust noise.
What DTNA is Doing:
- Remedy: DTNA is currently developing a repair solution, which will be performed free of charge at authorized service facilities. Details of the repair and reimbursement process will be communicated to owners via mail.
- Timeline: Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 10, 2024.
What Owners Should Do:
- Contact DTNA customer service: If you own an affected vehicle, please contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 for further information and instructions. Reference recall number FL992.
- Monitor for NHTSA updates: Stay informed about the recall details and status on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/.
Additional Information:
- This recall affects a limited number of vehicles, approximately 46% of the identified production range.
- DTNA encourages all owners of affected vehicles to schedule repairs promptly to ensure their safety and compliance with FMVSS 121.
