Trailer hitchesRecall 85V-173 · 1984–1985 Automatic Equipment Automatic Equipment

AUTOMATIC EQUIP. MFG. CO. recall 85V-173 covers 500 1984–1985 Automatic Equipment Automatic Equipment for a trailer hitches problem, reported to NHTSA on December 26, 1985.

Vehicles repairedNo manufacturer report yet

Vehicles affected5001 model

ReportedDec 26, 1985Owners notified Jan 30, 1986

Complaints since0Same system, after the recall

Source: NHTSA recall 85V173000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.

What's wrong

The problem

The risk

THESE CRACKS EVENTUALLY INCREASE AND FATIGUE THE TONGUE MOUNT TO THE POINT WHERE THE TRAILER COULD BREAK AWAY FROM THE CAR AND ROLL UNCONTROLLABLY ON THE HIGHWAY AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

What to do

The fix

REINFORCEMENT ANGLE PLATES WILL BE WELDED TO THE UNDER SIDE OF THE TONGUE MOUNT AND ANY OF THE POTENTIAL CRACK AREAS WHICH HAVE CRACKS WILL BE REWELDED.

SYSTEM: FRAME/STRUCTURE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CAR TRAILER. DESCRIPTIONOF DEFECT: THE TONGUE MOUNT WELDS AT THE MAIN POINT OF ATTACHMENTTO THE TRAILER CRACKS DUE TO UNEXPECTED STRESSES.

Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1 model

Vehicles in this recall

Automatic Equipment Automatic Equipment1984, 1985

Built from January 1, 1984 to April 1, 1985. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.