Oil leak/possible fire
Defect Summary
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.
Safety Consequence
Oil line wear may cause an oil leak and a potential fire hazard.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Caterpillar, Inc. or involving N/A.
FAQ: Recall 05E078000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 05E078000?
NHTSA recall 05E078000 was issued by Caterpillar, Inc. on December 12, 2005. It addresses: Oil leak/possible fire. The recall affects approximately 55,794 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Caterpillar, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 05E078000 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.