NHTSA Recall 08V095000
Filed by Stoughton Trailers, LLC. Component: Trailer Hitches. Reported 2008-02-28. An estimated 366 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
STOUGHTON IS RECALLING 366 MY 2007-2008 DDW-S AR DOLLIES EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND SIMPLEX FIFTH WHEELS. THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.
Risk
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
What the manufacturer will do
STOUGHTON IS WORKING WITH SAF-HOLLAND. SAF-HOLLAND WILL SEND A REPAIR KIT TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAF-HOLLAND AT 1-888-396-6501 EXT. 4343 OR STOUGHTON AT 608-873-2565.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.