Recall 17V451 affects 1,308 2014-2017 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr chassis for battery-cable routing that can short. Repair is free at franchised Freightliner Custom Chass dealers.
Freightliner Custom Chass is recalling 1,308 2014-2017 Xcr chassis because an incorrectly installed battery cable bracket can let the cable contact the frame rail, chafe, and short circuit. A short circuit can increase the risk of a fire, and the dealer repair will be free once Freightliner Custom Chass opens it.
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What's wrong?
The battery cable on a 2014-2017 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr chassis is a heavy insulated line that carries electrical power from the battery to the chassis electrical system. It has to be held away from metal structure with brackets and clips, because the frame rail sits close enough to damage the cable if routing is wrong.
In this recall, the battery cable mounting bracket was not installed correctly on certain Xcr chassis. That leaves the cable routed or clipped in the wrong position, where it contacts the frame rail. Normal vibration then rubs the insulation against the metal rail. Once the insulation wears through, the cable can short circuit against the frame.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not have a reliable sound, light, or drivability change that confirms the cable is chafing before the electrical short happens.
Who's affected?
The same battery-cable component appears across all four listed model years.
| 2014 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr | battery |
|---|---|
| 2015 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr | battery |
| 2016 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr | battery |
| 2017 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr | battery |
| Units affected | 1,308 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 50 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A battery cable short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, schedule the inspection and cable routing repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner Custom Chass dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner letter from Freightliner Custom Chass; letters were mailed on September 14, 2017.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner Custom Chass dealer to ask about the free battery-cable bracket inspection and routing revision that keeps the cable from chafing against the frame rail.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 17V451 when you call.
- Avoid parking near dry brush or stored flammables until the battery cable routing is inspected and repaired.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized Freightliner Custom Chass service facility, a Freightliner Custom Chass technician inspects the battery cable mounting bracket and cable routing. If the bracket or routing is wrong, the technician revises the bracket position and cable path so the cable is kept away from the frame rail. Because the remedy is still marked under development, treat the final dealer repair as free once available and confirmed by the service facility. Parts and labor are covered under the recall once the repair opens.
Timeline
| July 17, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| September 14, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 14, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V451?
Recall 17V451 covers 1,308 2014-2017 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr chassis with a battery cable mounting bracket that was installed incorrectly. The battery cable can contact the frame rail, chafe, and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 17V451. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner Custom Chass dealer to schedule the battery cable bracket inspection and routing revision. Reference recall number 17V451 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Freightliner Custom Chass dealers will inspect the battery cable mounting bracket and revise the bracket or cable routing as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the battery cable contacts the frame rail, it can chafe and short circuit. That short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. The repair path is a dealer inspection and bracket or cable-routing revision at no cost.
What if I bought my Freightliner Custom Chass Xcr used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific chassis is included, then reference recall number 17V451 when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V451000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner Custom Chass customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V451 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V451000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →