Recall 14V068 affects 181 2012-2013 Caterpillar CT660 trucks for brake S-cam bracket fractures. Repair is free at any franchised Caterpillar dealer.
Caterpillar is recalling 181 2012-2013 CT660 trucks because the brake S-cam brackets can fracture and leave the brake on an affected wheel inoperative. The truck can pull to one side during braking or take longer to stop, which increases crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2012-2013 Caterpillar CT660 uses air S-cam brakes at the wheel ends. In that brake design, air pressure moves a chamber and linkage, then the S-cam rotates to push the brake shoes against the drum. The S-cam bracket holds that rotating shaft and keeps the brake hardware aligned so the shoes apply evenly.
On affected CT660 trucks, the brake S-cam brackets can fracture. A cracked bracket lets the camshaft or related hardware move out of position instead of holding a stable angle under braking load. When that support breaks, the brake at that wheel end does not apply as designed, which reduces braking performance and makes the truck harder to stop.
There is no warning sign before failure. If braking feels uneven, the pedal response changes, or a driver hears new noise from the brake area, treat the truck as needing dealer inspection before more service.
Who's affected?
Spans two CT660 model years, with the brake system listed as the component for both.
| 2013 Caterpillar CT660 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Caterpillar CT660 | brake system |
| Units affected | 181 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 14V068 describes S-cam bracket fractures that can leave the brake on the affected wheel inoperative. During braking, the vehicle can pull to one side or need more distance to stop, increasing crash risk. Schedule the recall repair soon and use extra care until it is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Caterpillar dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Caterpillar CT660 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Caterpillar's owner instructions before booking the dealer repair if the dealer has no open repair in its system.
- Contact a franchised Caterpillar dealer and ask about the free S-cam brake assembly repair that replaces fracture-prone brake brackets.
- Reference recall number 14V068 when you call Caterpillar or the dealer.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra stopping distance and avoid hard braking when possible.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Caterpillar technician replaces the S-cam brake assemblies with brake assemblies that use cast spiders. The technician also replaces the S-cam tube bracket assemblies with reinforced gussets. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, and the dealer repair will be free once available. Ask the service desk to confirm that the repair order matches recall 14V068 before work begins.
Timeline
| February 20, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 11, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V068?
Recall 14V068 covers 181 2012-2013 Caterpillar CT660 trucks with brake S-cam brackets that can fracture. A fracture can leave the brake on that wheel inoperative, make the truck pull during braking, or increase stopping distance. Caterpillar dealers replace the brake assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Caterpillar CT660 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 14V068. If it is, call a franchised Caterpillar dealer or Caterpillar at 1-888-614-4328 to schedule the brake S-cam assembly repair. Reference recall 14V068 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. Caterpillar dealers replace the S-cam brake assemblies with cast-spider brake assemblies and reinforced S-cam tube bracket assemblies free of charge.
Is my Caterpillar CT660 safe to drive before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety issue is still serious: a fractured S-cam bracket can make one wheel brake inoperative, pull the truck to one side during braking, or increase stopping distance. Schedule the free repair before routine service use.
What if I bought my Caterpillar CT660 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Caterpillar dealer or Caterpillar at 1-888-614-4328 and ask for recall 14V068 if your truck is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V068000 |
|---|---|
| Caterpillar customer service | 1-888-614-4328 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V068 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V068000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →