RoadVitals

2016 Caterpillar CT681

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Caterpillar CT681. 8 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TEBE876100

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

Certain truck models that were built with 2013 through 2015 model year CT13 engines. Engine software OBD issues will be corrected which will aid in engine malfunction identification and proper diagnosis. In addition, under certain conditions, the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system inducement schedule may not function properly and may result in an increase in regulated air pollutants. Recalibration of the Engine Control Module (ECM) and Aftertreatment Control Module (ACM) needs to be completed.

TEBE640800

ENGINE

There is a problem with certain truck models that were built with 2013 through 2015 model year CT13 heavy duty on board diagnostic (HDOBD) engines. These engines will require recalibration of the engine ECM and ACM (aftertreatment control module). Certain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) issues will be corrected which will aid in engine malfunction identification and proper diagnosis.

TEBE585600

ENGINE

There is a problem which relates to engine emissions on certain CT660, CT680, and CT681 On Highway Trucks that were built with 2016 model year compliant CT13 Engines. This recall will require recalibration of the engine ECM. Certain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) issues will be corrected which will aid in engine malfunction identification and proper diagnosis. CT660 (S/N: TEJ00291-00305) CT660 (S/N: TEP01890, 1926, 1967-2020, 2022-2102) CT680L (S/N: TRX00170-00188) CT680LG (S/N: TWT00112) CT681SG (S/N: TWJ00219-00221)

M0066850-01

ENGINE

EXTENDED LIFE COOLANT (ELC) EXHIBITING NITRITE DEPLETION IN MACHINES EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM RADIATORS-NITRITES IN EXTENDED LIFE COOLANT (ELC) CAN REACT WITH THE ALUMINUM COOLER TO PRODUCE ELEVATED PH AND LOW NITRITE LEVELS IN SCHEDULE OIL SAMPLING (S@™O@™S) SAMPLES. AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE ISSUES THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEPLETION OF NITRITE, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CAT DEALER TO REQUEST LEVEL 2 COOLANT ANALYSIS IF NITRITE DEPLETION IS EXPERIENCED.

TEBE5242-00

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE EXISTING EXHAUST FLEX PIPE CAN CRACK ON CERTAIN CT660, CT680, AND CT681 ON-HIGHWAY TRUCKS. IF THE EXISTING EXHAUST FLEX PIPE CRACKS IT CAN/WILL RESULT IN AN EXHAUST LEAK AFTER THE AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM BUT BEFORE THE VERTICAL STACK. REPLACE THE EXHAUST FLEX PIPE AND BOTH CAB SHOCKS.

M0067812-00

STRUCTURE

AFTERTREATMENT OUTLET NOX SENSOR INTERNAL WATER SHIELD INSTALLATION - WATER INTRUSION CAN CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AFTERTREATMENT OUTLET NOX SENSOR ON VERTICAL EXHAUST CONFIGURATIONS. THE RECOMMENDED REPAIR IS TO INSTALL A RAIN SHIELD WHICH PREVENTS WATER FROM TRAVELING DOWN VERTICAL EXHAUSTS FROM CONTACTING THE OUTLET NOX SENSOR.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Caterpillar CT681 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016Viewing000—
2015010—
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.