Hearth Record

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly (Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star)

Vehicle recall 02V-337. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Dec 17, 2002.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.

The short answer

NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Dec 17, 2002. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

THE FIFTH WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTOR MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONMET SIMPLEX STATIONARY OR SLIDING FIFTH-WHEEL, THE CLINCH PINS THAT RETAIN THE FIFTH-WHEEL PIVOT PINS MAY NOT BE FULLY INSTALLED.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FIFTH WHEEL TO VERIFY THE CORRECT INSTALLATION OF THE CLINCH PIN AND PIVOT PIN. MISSING PINS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-399. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 733 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Freightliner Business Classand 2002, before the model years listed here
  • Sterling L Lineand 2002, before the model years listed here
  • Sterling A Lineand 2002, before the model years listed here
  • Western Star Western Starand 2002, before the model years listed here
  • Freightliner Conventionaland 2002, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

Sign in

A free account keeps your watch list, shortlists, comparisons and saved searches on every device, and can email you when something you watch changes. Browsing never needs one.