The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH TEKONSHA OR BARGMAN BREAKAWAY SWITCH ASSEMBLIES. THE SUBJECT SWITCHES ARE BASE PARTS 2011 AND 2011P, AND ARE BRANDED TEKONSHA (2011) AND BARGMAN (50-85-009). THESE MAY BE PACKAGED IN KIT NUMBERS 1026, 1028, 2011-23, 2028-23, 2011P, 2011AP, 20005, 20010, 20015, 20020, 2026, 2026-LB, 2028, 1026-LB, 50-85-200, 50-85-201, 50-85-250, 5061404, 5061406, 5061407, 5061408, 5061410, 5061506, 5061507, 5061508, 5067406, 5067407, 5067408, 5067409, AND 5067410. THE INTERNAL SWITCHING MECHANISM MAY FAIL TO MAKE PROPER CONTACT AND PROVIDE ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY WHEN THE BREAKAWAY PIN IS PULLED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN NO ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE TRAILER BRAKES IN THE EVENT OF A TRAILER BREAKAWAY SITUITION AND COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A TRAILER BREAKING LOOSE FROM A TOW VEHICLE, THE MALFUNCTION OF A BREAKAWAY SWITCH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR BOTH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BREAKAWAY DEVICE WITH NEW BREAKAWAY KITS FREE OF CHARGE. TEKONSHA IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. 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 WESTERN RV AT 1-517-767-4142 OR TEKONSHA TOWING SYSTEMS AT 1-800-325-5860.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Western Alpenlite | 2000, 2001 |
Components: TRAILER HITCHES
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Alpenlite | 2000 | 1 | 2 |
| Western Alpenlite | 2001 | 0 | 3 |
Other trailer hitches recalls in 2000
18 of the 541 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2000 concerned the trailer hitches; WESTERN RV, INC. filed 9 campaigns in all.
| 00V408000 5 Dec 2000 | FEATHERLITE, INC. |
| 00V398000 27 Nov 2000 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY |
| 00V265004 29 Sept 2000 | FEATHERLITE, INC. |
| 00V265002 20 Sept 2000 | SPECTRE MANUFACTURING INC. |
| 00V265001 12 Sept 2000 | COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 00V241000 24 Aug 2000 | GLENDALE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES |
| 00V213000 4 Aug 2000 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 00V169000 19 Jun 2000 | JAYCO, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2000