Freightliner Cascadia, Classic XL +3 more: Steering — rack and pinion

Affects Freightliner Cascadia, Classic XL, Coronado, Century, Columbia · 2005–2011 — about 10K vehicles.

The hazard

THE STEERING COULD UNEXPECTEDLY TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAKING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

What to do

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER BEARING FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS FOUND, THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO CORROSION IS FOUND, ON THE BEARING, THE BEARING WILL BE PACKED WITH GREASE AND THE RUBBER BELLOWS WILL BE REPLACED WITH SEALANT ADDED BETWEEN THE BELLOWS AND THE RACK HOUSING. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED IN DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.

Critical — crash/injury risk now High — injury risk; see remedy Moderate — fix at next service Low — minor / informational