2022 Freightliner Cascadia FL901 Exhaust Pipe Outlet Installed Improperly

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Defect Information Report
(Section 573.6)
FL-901
Date of Submission: Sep 15, 2021
Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
P.O. BOX 3849
Portland, Oregon 97208
Type of Report: X Safety Defect ⃝ Non-Compliance
Vehicle Information
Model Yr. Start: 2022 Model Yr. End: 2022
Make: Freightliner
Model: Cascadia
Production Dates: Begin: 4/1/2021 End: 7/12/2021
Descriptive Information: All Freightliner Cascadia’s with a Cummins Engine and battery boxes mounted between the frame rail built at the Cleveland Manufacturing plant within the production date range.
Number potentially involved: 460 Estimated percentage of involve with defect: 2.4%
Defect / Noncompliance Description
For this Defect/Noncompliance:
Describe the defect or noncompliance:
On certain vehicles, the exhaust pipe outlet (also known as the exhaust pipe mitigator) may have been mis-installed, facing the tip towards battery boxes mounted directly above between the frame rail.
Describe the safety risk:
In some cases, the exhaust heat may melt the battery box and possibly result in a thermal event.
Identify any warning which can precede or occur:
Exhaust can leave residue on surrounding components, melting of surrounding components and/or smell of melted materials.
If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component.: N/A
Involved Components
Component Name: Exhaust mitigator
Component Description: Exhaust pipe outlet
Component Part Number: 04-33677-000 – PIPE-EXH MITIGATOR,5″,STAMPED
Chronology of Defect / Noncompliance Determination
Provide the chronology of events leading up to the defect decision or test data for the noncompliance decision.:
In May 2021 DTNA became aware of a single thermal event reported from field staff. Based on the report DTNA opened an investigation in or around June 2021. During the investigation, DTNA received 4 additional reports of thermal events. In or around July, 2021 DTNA manufacturing plant performed an audit on 166 units and implemented a quality check point to ensure proper installation of the exhaust pipe outlet. Shortly after, DTNA received a field incident report of an already known event from July 2021. In August, DTNA continued to analyze warranty and manufacturing data to determine a suspect population. Out of an abundance of caution, on Sep 8, 2021, DTNA reasonably decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.
Identify the Remedy
Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacture’s plan for reimbursement.
Repairs will be performed by Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facilities. Details of the reimbursement plan will be included in the owner’s notification letter.
Identify the Recall Schedule
Describe the recall schedule for notifications.:
Customer notification will be made by first class mail using Daimler Trucks North America records to determine the customers affected.
Planned Dealer Notification Begin Date: 11/14/2021
Planned Dealer Notification End Date: 11/14/2021
Planned Owner Notification Begin Date: 11/14/2021
Planned Owner Notification End Date: 11/14/2021
Manufacture’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): FL-901
DTNA Representative;
Larissa Stoffels
Executive Manager, Vehicle Safety
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs
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