Safety Recall NHTSA · 04E054000 Reported August 9, 2004

Caterpillar/converter muffler strap failure

Caterpillar, Inc. · Engine And Engine Cooling · 2,309 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
04E054000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Caterpillar, Inc.
Component
Engine And Engine Cooling
Vehicles Affected
2,309
Recall Type
Equipment
Report Received
August 9, 2004

Defect Summary

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.

Safety Consequence

When the straps fail, the muffler can drop to the ground.

Corrective Action

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.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Caterpillar, Inc. dealer and reference recall ID 04E054000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
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FAQ: Recall 04E054000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 04E054000?

NHTSA recall 04E054000 was issued by Caterpillar, Inc. on August 9, 2004. It addresses: Caterpillar/converter muffler strap failure. The recall affects approximately 2,309 vehicles, with the defect involving the Engine And Engine Cooling component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Caterpillar, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 04E054000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.