2004–2005 Kenworth C500, 2004–2005 Kenworth T2000, 2004–2005 Kenworth T600 and 6 other models Recall: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SUSPENSION HAS TRANSVERSE BEAM…

The defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SUSPENSION HAS TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTINGS THAT MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.

The risk

THIS COULD CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 10, 2005, WITH LETTERS BEING MAILED TO PETERBILT OWNERS; AND ON JUNE 17, 2005, FOR KENWORTH OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201 OR KENWORTH AT 425-828-5440.

PETERBILT RECALL NO. 405-B AND KENWORTH RECALL NO. 05KW3.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.