FL867 - Battery Relay and Ground Cable May Be Damaged - 2019-2021 Freightliner EconicSD

Defect Information Report
(Section 573.6)
FL-867
Date of Submission: November 5, 2020
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: 2019 Model Yr. End: 2021
Make: Freightliner
Model: EconicSD
Production Dates: Begin: 06/24/2019 End: 10/29/2020
Descriptive Information: All Freightliner EconicSD manufactured within the above dates
Number potentially involved: 104 Estimated percentage of involve with defect: 100%
Defect / Noncompliance Description
For this Defect/Noncompliance:
Describe the defect or noncompliance: The routing and securement of certain electrical power cables at the battery relay and ground cable may become damaged.
Describe the safety risk: A damaged power cable wire coming into contact with the ground cable at the battery relay may increase the risk of a thermal event from overloading the ground connection. Additionally, a damaged ground connection may also result in an unexpected engine stall without warning and inability to restart.
Identify any warning which can precede or occur: Pre-trip inspections include inspection of the battery and cable connections
If applicable, identify the manufacture of the defective or noncompliant component: N/A
Involved Components
Component Name: Power Cables
Component Description: Power Cable Connection
Component Part Number: N/A
Chronology of Defect / Noncompliance Determination
Provide the chronology of events leading up to the defect decision or test data for the noncompliance decision: January – February 2020, DTNA received two complaints from the field of an engine shut down from a damaged ground connection. FCC began inspecting chassis’ in the plant, and reviewing warranty claims. Neither plant inspections nor warranty data indicated any systemic issues.
June– August 2020, DTNA received a warranty claim indicating a no start condition from a damaged ground connection. This warranty claim was reviewed with engineering to compare with similar models manufactured in Europe, no systemic problems were found at the time. September – October 2020, DTNA continued researching this issue and received an additional warranty claim of a no start condition. During this review, engineering became aware of battery cable routing concerns. October 30, 2020, DTNA, with an abundance of caution, decided to initiate a voluntary safety recall to campaign the identified Freightliner EconicSD chassis to address potentially damaged ground and battery cables.
Identify the Remedy
Describe the defect/noncompliance remedy program, including the manufacture’s plan for reimbursement. The left ground cable will be rerouted and receive a new connection joint. The battery cables will be reoriented and receive a new heat sleeve. 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: 01/03/2021
Planned Dealer Notification End Date: 01/03/2021
Planned Owner Notification Begin Date: 01/03/2021
Planned Owner Notification End Date: 01/03/2021
Manufacture’s identification code for this recall (if applicable): FL-867
DTNA Representative;
Larissa Stoffels
Executive Manager, Vehicle Safety
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs