Caterpillar: equipment recalls

NHTSA lists 25 equipment recall campaigns for Caterpillar. NHTSA received the reports from 1977 to 2011. The campaigns have 309,084 units in total. The newest campaign is 11E051000. NHTSA received the report on 2 Dec 2011.

NHTSA recall lookup

The defect, the consequence and the remedy on this page are the summaries in the NHTSA recall file. The file names the manufacturer that filed each recall report.

NHTSA recall file through 29 Sep 2026.

Recall campaigns

25 campaigns, newest first. 309,084 units in total.

11E051000Received 2 Dec 2011. 3,873 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar is recalling certain c7 diesel engines, 7l, 6-cylinder, turbo and air-to-air aftercooled engines with 190-300 horsepower ratings, built from december 14, 2006, through january 6, 2009, sold and installed as original equipment in certain blue bird school buses. Cooling system coolant in this application can degrade, which may cause the engine components to prematurely deteriorate possibly leading to coolant leaks.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Loss of coolant can result in stranded vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar is working with blue bird to identify and notify owners of the recall campaign. The safety recall began on january 1, 2012. Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C7.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 23 Jan 2012.
11E006000Received 24 Feb 2011. 6,176 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar is recalling certain c15 diesel engines manufactured from april 24, 2006, through march 27, 2009, sold and installed as original equipment for various heavy trucks. Degradation of a combustion tube weld can result radial heat impingement on the body which may burn through certain bodies used on c15 engines.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on august 4, 2011. Owners may contact caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C15.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 4 Aug 2011.
10E025000Received 23 Jun 2010. 5,920 units.
Fuel System, Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar is recalling certain c7 engines manufactured from march 3, 2005 through january 6, 2009, installed as original equipment in various heavy trucks and buses. The #5 and #6 fuel lines may crack at the fastening point to the common fuel rail and cause a fuel leak.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpiller will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on september 9, 2010. Owners may contact caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C7.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Sep 2010.
09E020000Received 28 Apr 2009. 147,777 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar is recalling 147,777 c15 6-cylinder, 15l turbocharged, air-to-air after cooled diesel engines of 435-625 horsepower with serial no. Prefixes bsx, mxs, nxs, trb, kra, and jep. The variable valve actuation (vva) oil line may wear against the p-clips retaining the oil line, causing an oil leak.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An oil leak could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these engines as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired by caterpillar at no cost to the owner. The safety recall began on may 5, 2009. Owners may contact either their vehicle manufacturer or caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C15.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 5 May 2009.
08E069000Received 11 Dec 2008. 1,512 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar is recalling 1,512 c15 6-cylinder, 15l turbocharged, air-to-air after cooled diesel engines of 472-585 horsepower. The aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may develop a hole and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particular filter.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these engines as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired by caterpillar at no cost to the owner. The recall began on january 30, 2009. Owners can contact either their vehicle manufacturer or caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C15.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Jan 2009.
08E054000Received 25 Aug 2008. 313 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar is recalling 313 c13 6-cylinder, 13l turbocharged, air-to-air after cooled diesel engines. The extension pipes attached to the aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may develop a hole, and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particular filter.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these engines as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired by caterpillar at no cost to the owner. The recall began on january 7, 2009. Owners can contact either their vehicle manufacturer or caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C13.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Jan 2009.
08E042000Received 1 Jul 2008. 8,950 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
A plug on the outlet side of the fuel pump can crack on 8,055 c7 and c9 diesel engines that are equipped with a cr 350 (common rail high pressure) pump. The affected engines include 6 cylinder c7 (7l) and c9 (9l) turbocharged and air-to-air aftercooled diesel engines of 190 through 425 horsepower.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A crack in this plug can result in a high pressure fuel spray or leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these engines as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired by caterpillar at no cost to the owner. The recall began on september 5, 2008. Owners can contact either their vehicle manufacturer or caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C7; Caterpillar C9.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 5 Sep 2008.
08E041000Received 1 Jul 2008. 5,508 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The diesel particulate filter (dpf) attachment bracket on 235 c7, c9, c13 and c15 engines may fail allowing the dpf to separate from the chassis and become a road hazard. The engines involved are the c7, c9, c13 and c15 turbocharged and air-to-air aftercooled engines of 335 through 625 horsepower.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A vehicle crash could occur if another vehicle strikes the dpf on the roadway.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these engines as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired by caterpillar at no cost to the owner. The recall began on december 19, 2008. Owners can contact either their vehicle manufacturer or caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C7; Caterpillar C15; Caterpillar C9; Caterpillar C13.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 19 Dec 2008.
07E100000Received 29 Nov 2007. 307 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain caterpillar c15 diesel engines sold for installation as original equipment in certain 2008 freightliner columbia and century st vehicles. The extension pipes attached to the aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may develop a crack or hole and heat and flame may escape during a regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A vehicle fire can occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar will notify freightliner's owners and repair the engines free of charge. The recall began on november 29, 2007. Owners can contact caterpillar toll-free at 800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C15.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Nov 2007.
07E091000Received 30 Oct 2007. 964 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain caterpillar c13 and c15 diesel engines installed as original equipment in certain peterbilt heavy trucks and monaco recreational vehicles. The fitting on certain fuel lines to the aftertreatment regeneration device (ard) may crack and leak fuel.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these engines as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired at no cost to the owner. The recall is expected to begin during november 2007. Owners can contact either their vehicle manufacturer or caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C13; Caterpillar C15.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 21 Nov 2007.
07E071000Received 7 Sep 2007. 1,339 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain caterpillar c7 diesel engines installed as original equipment in 2008 blue bird vision school buses. The oil fill cap may separate from the oil fill tube allowing engine oil to be emitted from the tube. Oil could wet the left front brake resulting in reduced braking capacity.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A vehicle crash can occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar will notify owners and replace the oil fill tube assembly free of charge. The recall began on december 14, 2007. Owners can contact caterpillar toll-free at 800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C7.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Manufacturer campaign number PI10630. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Dec 2007.
07E053000Received 25 Jul 2007. 1,680 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain caterpillar c7 and c9 diesel engines installed as original equipment in trucks and school buses. A fuel pump failure will dilute the engine oil with fuel and cause loss of throttle control and excessive smoke.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Either condition could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these engines as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired at no cost to the owner. The recall is expected to begin during august 2007. Owners can contact either their vehicle manufacturer or caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C7; Caterpillar C9.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Dec 2007.
07E024000Received 3 Apr 2007. 33 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain caterpillar c7 diesel engines installed on certain freightliner chassis. The electronic control modules used on 6 cylinder, 7l turbocharged and air-to-air aftercooled diesel engines may malfunction rendering the engine inoperable without warning.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The ecm may malfunction without warning and render the vehicle inoperable which could cause the vehicle to stall at highway speeds. Steering and braking control would not be lost. Once the engine becomes inoperable, it cannot be restarted which may result in a situation where a vehicle crash can occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar will notify owners and repair the engines free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2007. Owners can contact caterpillar at 800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar C7.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Jun 2007.
06E047000Received 24 May 2006. 425 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain caterpillar c9 diesel engines manufactured between september 2003 and october 2005 installed for use as original equipment on certain transit buses. The turbocharger compressors are failing and oil can be discharged into the exhaust and external to the turbocharger.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A fire can occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar will notify its owners and repair the engines free of charge. The recall began on september 14, 2006. Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-7332.
Products named: Caterpillar C9.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Sep 2006.
06E046000Received 24 May 2006. 722 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain caterpillar c9 diesel engines manufactured between september 2003 and january 2006 installed for use as original equipment on certain transit buses. Injector o-ring failures can result in oil being discharged through the valve cover.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A fire can occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar will notify its owners and repair the engines free of charge. The recall began on september 14, 2006. Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-7332.
Products named: Caterpillar C9.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Sep 2006.
05E078000Received 12 Dec 2005. 55,794 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain 2004 and 2005 c15 diesel engines manufactured by caterpillar between october 2003 and april 2005. The variable valve actuation oil line (vva line) used on 6 cylinder, 15l turbocharged and air-to-air aftercooled diesel engines of 435-550 horsepower may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not oriented correctly.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Oil line wear may cause an oil leak and a potential fire hazard.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owners or dealers will inspect the vva line for wear. If vva line wear is noted, dealers will replace the line. A clip will be added to prevent future line wear. The recall began on april 17, 2006.
Products named: Caterpillar C15 2004; Caterpillar C15 2005.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Apr 2006.
04E054000Received 9 Aug 2004. 2,309 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Exhaust System
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar 2003 my 3126e engines with converter mufflers with welds added to the straps that support the converter mufflers to the chassis. These welds are causing the straps to fail.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
When the straps fail, the muffler can drop to the ground.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Caterpillar will notify its customers to take their vehicle to a caterpiller engine repair facility to have the converter muffler straps replaced free of charge. The recall began october 29, 2004. 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 caterpiller at 309-675-6496.
Products named: Caterpillar 3126E 2003.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Oct 2004.
02E058000Received 15 Nov 2002. 2,636 units.
Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Model no.: 3126e hydraulically controlled electronically actuated unit injected diesel eingines with high efficiency pumps (hep8) produced by caterpillar between june and september 2002 for use on medium duty on-highway engines. The pump components may experience a high pressure seal failure which can result in a short period of rough running and subsequent engine stall due to a loss of injection actuation pressure.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Once engine stall occurs the engine cannot be restarted, which may result in a situation where a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owner notification began december 23, 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 caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986.
Products named: Caterpillar 3116 1996.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 23 Dec 2002.
99E023000Received 29 Jul 1999. 1,362 units.
Electrical System / Ignition / Module
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Equipment description: electronically unit injected diesel engines used in combination with eaton 10 and 18 speed autoshift transmissions. The engines can stall because of software problems.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Increased steering effort can occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will update these engines with software changes.
Products named: Caterpillar 3406E 1999; Caterpillar C12 1998; Caterpillar C12 1999; Caterpillar C10 1999; Caterpillar C10 1998; Caterpillar 3406E 1998.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Sep 1999.
99E021000Received 23 Jun 1999. 33,700 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Equipment description: mechanically unit injected diesel engines. The governor of the engine controls the unit injector fueling by way of a control assembly. In this assembly, a link to the governor is joined to the control rod using a rivet. This rivet can loosen and then wear resulting in engine speed instability.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If not identified and corrected, engine speed control could be lost due to rivet disengagement.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect the control assembly and replaced if necessary.
Products named: Caterpillar 3116 1997; Caterpillar 3116 1998; Caterpillar 3116 1996.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Aug 1999.
92E005000Received 12 Feb 1992. 16,000 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Gasoline
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The governor servo pin on the engine can come out while the engine is operating due to lack of an adequate press fit and/or inadequate staking at the end of the pin bore.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the governor servo pin comes out while the engine isbeing operated, the fuel rate will not change and the truck will continue at theoperating speed even though the throttle pressure is decreased.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Rework the governors on the engines to prevent the loss of servo pins.
Products named: Caterpillar 3406B 1990; Caterpillar 3306B 1988; Caterpillar 3306B 1989; Caterpillar 3306B 1990; Caterpillar 3406B 1988; Caterpillar 3306B 1987; Caterpillar 3406B 1989; Caterpillar 3406B 1987.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Aug 1992.
90E024000Received 1 Aug 1990. 11,000 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Incorrect torque on the governor input assembly could cause it to loosen and back out, interfering with the governor housing operation. Also the torsion spring on the accelerator input was installed incorrectly and could dislodge, preventing the governor and accelerator from properly controlling the engine speed.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Without governor operation, the driver could overspeed the engine, causing loss of control of vehicle speed.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Assure proper assembly and torque on 8c8580 bolt, and proper installation of 7w9526 torsion spring.
Products named: Caterpillar 3116 1989; Caterpillar 3116 1990; Caterpillar 3116 1988.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Apr 1991.
83E020000Received 23 Nov 1983. 112 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine / Diesel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Shield over the governor flyweights may detatch from carrier and interfere with movement of the weights and governor linkage. The vehicle operator may not be able to shift into gear selected or to prevent engine over-speed.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Shields found to be cracked will be replaced and staked at four points. Others will be staked at two additional points, making a total of four.
Products named: Caterpillar.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO..
82E018000Received 20 Sep 1982. 272 units.
Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Auxillary Tank
Defect, in the NHTSA record
A possibility exists on the involved vehicles, that due to vibrations generated by the truck, the fuel filter"s top connector may break from the bottom of the fuel tank due to metal fatigue. This failure allows the diesel ignition improver to spray out fuel.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, remove the filters from the tank and install a flexible hose from the bottom of the tank to the filter.
Products named: Caterpillar.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Nov 1982.
77E020000Received 13 Sep 1977. 400 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The top end of the main spring that controls the governor in the speed control is positioned by a two-piece seat. The inside of this seat can wear and cause the sleeve portion of the seat to separate from the washer portion. Consequently, the sleeve can drop down and lock the fuel rack in the fully open position, causing engine overspeed.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealer will install an improved seat assembly and guides, without charge.
Products named: Caterpillar.
Report filed by CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO..

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Counts

Caterpillar equipment campaigns, by the year NHTSA received the report. The largest year is 2007, with 5 campaigns.

Caterpillar: campaigns for each component
Component		Campaigns
Engine and Engine Cooling		21
Fuel System, Gasoline		2
Electrical System		1
Fuel System, Diesel		1

Products in the campaigns

The product names in the NHTSA file.

C157
C77
C95
31163
C133
3126E1
3306B1
3406B1
3406E1
C101
C121

Official channels

NHTSA recall lookupNHTSA shows the recalls of a child seat, a tire or equipment by brand and model.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.

Cite this page

Recall Register. Caterpillar: equipment recalls. https://recallregister.com/equipment/other/caterpillar/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall files. Data through 29 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 29 Sep 2026

Manufacturers in the recall file: CATERPILLAR INC.; CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO..

The brand is the make that NHTSA records for the campaign. A campaign that names 2 brands is on the page of each brand. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

Which Caterpillar products do the campaigns name?: The NHTSA records have 11 product names for these campaigns. The name in the most campaigns is: C15
How many units does a Caterpillar equipment campaign have?: The median Caterpillar campaign has 1,680 units. The median of all 2,866 equipment campaigns is 1,677 units.
Which component do the Caterpillar campaigns name most often?: Engine and Engine Cooling, in 21 campaigns. The component is the first component in the NHTSA record of a campaign.