Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly (Freightliner, Western Star and Sterling)
Vehicle recall 03V-227. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Jun 17, 2003.
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The short answer
NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Jun 17, 2003. 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?
IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
ON CERTAIN TRUCK TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.
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 REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 12, 2003. 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 JOST INTERNATIONAL AT 616-846-7700 OR BY EMAIL TO RECALL@JOSTINTERNATIONAL.COM OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-411.ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN 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 2,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Freightliner Classic XLand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Western Star 4900FAand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FLDand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Classicand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FL112and 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Sterlingand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Century STand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Business Classand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Columbiaand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Argosyand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FLD SDand 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Business Class M2and 2000, before the model years listed here
- Sterling AT9500and 2000, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Coronadoand 2000, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION.
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.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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.