The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-HORSE STEEL TRAILERS. THE WELD ACROSS THE TOP OF THE COUPLER HITCH COULD HAVE CAUSED A WEAK POINT IN THE TONGUE OF THE TRAILER.
The risk
IF THE COUPLER WERE TO FAIL, IT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT AND/OR THE HORSES.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILERS AND REPLACE THE COUPLER HITCH IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2001. 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 SUNDOWNER AT 1-800-654-3879.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Sundowner Sportman | 1994, 1995 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundowner Sportman | 1994 | 0 | 2 |
| Sundowner Sportman | 1995 | 0 | 2 |
Other trailer hitches recalls in 2001
6 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the trailer hitches; SUNDOWNER TRAILERS filed 2 campaigns in all.
| 01V285000 5 Sept 2001 | NATIONAL RV, INC. |
| 01V249000 1 Aug 2001 | SILVER EAGLE MFG. CO. |
| 01V236000 17 Jul 2001 | COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V138000 23 Apr 2001 | GREAT DANE TRAILERS, INC. |
| 00V265005 16 Mar 2001 | SOONER TRAILER |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001