Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly (Freightliner)
Vehicle recall 85V-081. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORP.’s report on Jun 21, 1985.
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The short answer
NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORP.’s report on Jun 21, 1985. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
CHANGE IN VENDOR’S PRODUCTION TOOLING RESULTED IN A FIT BETWEEN THE RADIATOR CAP AND FILLER NECK WHICH MAY BE TOO LOOSE.
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE LOOSE FIT COULD ALLOW THE CAP TO BE REMOVED BEFORE INTERNAL PRESSURE IS COMPLETELY RELEASED.
HOT RADIATOR COOLANT MIGHT THEN BE SPRAYED ON THE PERSON OPENING THE CAP OR OTHERS IN THE VICINITY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly.
What should you do?
THE DEFECTIVE FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THIS MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: COE AND CONVENTIONAL TYPE TRUCKS.SYSTEM: RADIATOR FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 3,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Freightliner COEand 1985, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FREIGHTLINER CORP..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 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 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 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 20, 2026.