Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyRecall 15V-643 · Volvo vehicles
Volvo Trucks North America recall 15V-643 covers 669 Volvo vehicles for a trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly problem, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2015. The manufacturer's latest report (2017 Q1) shows 32% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 15V643000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
The risk
If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1507.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
32%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA.
The investigation behind this recall
- 5th Wheel malfunctionNHTSA