Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyRecall 08V-188 · Silver Eagle vehicles
SILVER EAGLE MANUFACTURING recall 08V-188 covers 133 Silver Eagle vehicles for a trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly problem, reported to NHTSA on April 25, 2008.
Source: NHTSA recall 08V188000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
SILVER EAGLE IS RECALLING 133 MY 2006-2008 HAWK DOLLIES CS AND CSA, TANDEM DOLLIES CTL AND CTA, AND FALCON DOLLIES CSU MODELS EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II 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.
The 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.
The fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SILVER EAGLE AT 1-800-547-6792.
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.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from January 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.