The defect
ALUMINUM TRAILER COMPANY (ATC) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2012 ATC CAR HAULER TRAILERS WITH EXTENDED HITCHES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. THESE TRAILERS WITH 12" EXTENDED HITCH FRAMES ARE BREAKING NEAR THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER ON THE FRAME OF THE TRAILER. THIS IS CAUSED BY INSUFFICIENT MATERIAL USED IN THE FRAME HITCH.
The risk
THE HITCH COULD POTENTIALLY BREAK CAUSING SEPARATION FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSING A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy
ATC WILL REPAIR THE ALUMINUM TRAILER HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ATC AT 1-877-441-2440.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| ATC Boss Hoss | 2008 |
| ATC Cargo | 2009 |
| ATC Contender | 2007, 2008 |
| ATC Fast Lane | 2007, 2008, 2009 |
| ATC GTS | 2008 |
| ATC QST | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| ATC SS | 2010, 2011, 2012 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATC Boss Hoss | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC Cargo | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC Contender | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC Contender | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC Fast Lane | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC Fast Lane | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC Fast Lane | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC GTS | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC QST | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC QST | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC QST | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC QST | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC QST | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC QST | 2012 | 0 | 2 |
| ATC SS | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC SS | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| ATC SS | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
Other trailer hitches recalls in 2011
8 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the trailer hitches; ALUMINUM TRAILER COMPANY filed 3 campaigns in all.
| 11V460000 1 Sept 2011 | VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V461000 1 Sept 2011 | MACK TRUCKS, INC |
| 11V437000 23 Aug 2011 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 11V388000 1 Aug 2011 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 11V289000 18 May 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V209000 31 Mar 2011 | MACK TRUCKS, INC |
| 11V002000 4 Jan 2011 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011