Recall 04E044000: Equipment

NHTSA recall 04E044000 · announced June 18, 2004 · Hafendorfer · 1,362 units affected

The problem

CERTAIN TAILGATE ASSIST LIFTING DEVICES MANUFACTURED JANUARY 1 AND MARCH/APRIL 2004. THE CRIMPING MACHINE MAY HAVE MALFUNCTIONED ON RANDOM UNITS DURING PRODUCTION AND NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED SOME OF THE COMPRESSION SLEEVES WHICH HOLDS THE CABLES TOGETHER. WHILE IN USE, THE CABLE LOOP CAN BECOME UNCRIMPED, RELEASING THE CABLE'S TENSION, CAUSING THE CABLE TO COME LOOSE AND TRAILER TAILGATE TO FALL.

The risk

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WHILE THE CABLE BECOMES LOOSE, IT CAN SNAP BACK AND POSSIBLY HIT THE PERSON STANDING NEAR IT AND/OR THE TRAILER TAILGATE CAN DROP ON SOMEONE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES.

What to do

HAFENDORFER WILL PROVIDE NEW SPRING/CABLE ASSEMBLIES AND INSTRUCTIONS TO CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HAFENDORFER MACHINE, INC. AT 1-888-244-3669 EXT. 15.

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.