K-tec Recall 08V083000: Trailer Hitches, Fifth Wheel Assembly

NHTSA recall 08V083000 · announced February 26, 2008 · filed by Kaffenbarger Truck Equipment Company · 129 units affected

The problem

KAFFENBARGER TRUCK EQUIPMENT (K-TEC) IS RECALLING 129 MY 2006-2008 INTERNATIONAL CLASS 8 TRUCK TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND SIMPLEX FIFTH WHEELS. THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.

The risk

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

What to do

K-TEC IS WORKING WITH SAF-HOLLAND. SAF-HOLLAND WILL SEND A REPAIR KIT TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAF-HOLLAND AT 1-888-396-6501 EXT. 4343 OR K-TEC AT 937-845-3804.

Official NHTSA recall notice →

Notes

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.

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 2006 K-tec International
• 2007 K-tec International
• 2008 K-tec International

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.