The defect
CERTAIN MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINE (LG5) OPTION WERE BUILT WITH A MISROUTED BATTERY CABLE THAT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CONDUIT AND THE NYLON CABLE COATING COULD DEGRADE TO THE POINT WHERE THE COPPER WIRE STRANDS OF THE CABLE ARE EXPOSED.
The risk
IF THE CABLE STRANDS CONTACTED THE EXHAUST PIPE A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE COATINGS TO IGNITE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE FOR PROPER ROUTING AND REROUTE THE CABLE IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Kodiak | 2003 |
| GMC Topkick | 2003 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Kodiak | 2003 | 1 | 4 |
| GMC Topkick | 2003 | 0 | 4 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2002
34 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the electrical system; GENERAL MOTORS CORP. filed 1,195 campaigns in all.
| 02V338000 16 Dec 2002 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 02V324000 6 Dec 2002 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V288000 6 Nov 2002 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V284000 30 Oct 2002 | MOTOR COACH IND., INC. |
| 02V259000 20 Sept 2002 | PLEASURE-WAY INDUSTRIES LTD. |
| 02V256000 18 Sept 2002 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 02V233000 5 Sept 2002 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 02V225000 15 Aug 2002 | CLUB CAR, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002