Recall 02E039000: Suspension

NHTSA recall 02E039000 · announced June 21, 2002 · Wabash · 862 units affected

The problem

SEMI-TRAILER SUSPENSION EQUALIZE BOLTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET PARTS BETWEEN AUGUST 28 AND NOVEMBER 9, 2001. THE EQUALIZER BOLT IS A 2" DIAMETER BOLT APPROXIMATELY 11.5" LONG THAT HAS A WELDED ON PLATE AT ONE END AND A 2-3/8" LONG X 1" THREADED SHANK AT THE OPPOSITE END. THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS IN PRODUCTION THAT CONSTITUTE THIS DEFECT. 1) THE END PLATE ON THE BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED TO THE BODY AND MAY DETACH AND 2) THE MATERIAL USED TO PRODUCE THE BOLT WAS NOT CORRECT. THIS WOULD ONLY BE A PROBLEM IF USED AS A PIVOT BOLT FOR A FULL TRAILER.

The risk

IF THE END PLATE DETACHES FROM THE BODY, THE BOLT MAY BACK OUT OF THE HOLE ALLOWING THE EQUALIZER TO COLLAPSE IN TO THE CENTER HANGER. THIS WILL RESULT IN THAT SIDE OF THE TRAILER TO DROP DOWN, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE CRASH. IF THE EQUALIZER BOLT WERE TO FAIL WHEN USED AS A DRAWBAR BOLT AND THE FAILED BOLT BACKED OUT, THE TOWED TRAILER COULD FAIL TO TRACK PROPERLY AND COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEAD TRAILER.

What to do

WABASH WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE/JULY 2002. 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 WABASH AT 765-771-5300.

Official NHTSA recall notice →

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.