1986 Western Star Conventional Recall

On certain trucks, the grab handles may be susceptible to fatigue failure and may break at the bend radius near the upper mounting bolt hole. Failure during use could result in a fall and personal injury. Correction: Grab handles will be replaced.

A failure of this component (structure) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the electronic accelerator pedal on these may experience premature failure of the pedal return springs. If both springs fail, the pedal will not return to the idle position when the pedal is released and an unintended full throttle condition could occur which in turn could result in a vehicle accident. Correction: Pedal will be modified or replaced as required.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the aluminum clutch release lever may fail as the result of stress corrosion due to continuous loading of the lever and exposure to road salt spray. This would render the clutch inoperative and if such a failure were to occur during vehicle operation, could adversely affect braking distances and vehicle control. Correction: Aluminum clutch levers will be replaced.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain trucks may have throttle return springs that could fail during normal operation without prior warning. If both springs fail, the engine throttle may not return to the idle position when the throttle foot pedal is released. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a possible vehicle crash. Correction: throttle return springs will be replaced.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the clutch release lever may have been weakened during manufacture and could fail at the clutch release shaft connection. This would result in a loss of clutch control and possible consequent loss of vehicle control. Correction: Clutch release lever will be replaced with one of a different alloy and improved design.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the top torque rods on the Chalmers 800 series suspensions may contain inadequate welds. This could cause the torque rod to fail without warning allowing the rear axle(s) to move out of position and result in vehicle instability and loss of directional control. Correction: Torque rods will be replaced with a new one piece design which eliminates the above mentioned weld.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, rear drive axles may have an incomplete weld between the axle housing and the suspension hanger brackets. After extended service, the partial weld may fail and could result in separation of the suspension bracket and the axle housing. Separation may allow the rear axle to move out of position and cause vehicle instability, loss of vehicle control,and the potential for vehicle crash. Axles will be inspected and repaired if necessary.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the brake pedal assembly used in the right hand station of vehicles built with dual drive option, may have been improperly welded. The weld that attaches the pivot pin boss to the brake pedal may fail. This condition, if present, would leave the vehicle operator without normal braking control and could result in a vehicle crash. Correction: Brake pedal assembly will be replaced.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, the Chalmers 1200 series air-ride suspension may develop cracks in the welded joints between the outrigger spring brackets and the main sawhorse "A" frames. These cracks could grow under normal service to the point that one or both of the outrigger spring brackets could fail.this Could cause the frame rails to drop onto the rear axles causing damage to the tires, wheels and axles. This could result in loss of vehicle control and crash without prior warning. Correction: Sawhorse assembly will be replaced or reinforced as required.

A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain trucks, aluminum fuel tanks may contain fuel pickup tubes with substandard welds that could crack and allow air to be drawn into the pump. This could cause the engine to stall or lose power without prior warning and could lead to loss of power steering and shut down of the air compressor and engine brake. This could result in loss of vehicle control and vehicle crash. Correction: Defective fuel tanks will be replaced.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).