Trailer hitches
- Component
- Trailer hitches
- Manufacturer
- COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
- Vehicles affected
- 1,953
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2000-09-12
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAVEL TRAILERS AND FIFTH WHEEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEKONSHA OR BARGMAN BREAKAWAY SWITCH ASSEMBLIES. THE SUBJECT SWITCHES ARE BASE PARTS 2011 AND 50-85-009, 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 SITUATION AND COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer remedy
TEKONSHA IS NOTIFYING DISTRIBUTORS AND ORIGINAL EQUPIMENT MANUFACTURERS AND WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BREAKAWAY DEVICE WITH NEW BREAKAWAY KITS FREE OF CHARGE. ALSO, TEKONSHA WILL REIMBURSE FOR ALL FREIGHT CHARGES TO AND FROM ITS CUSTOMERS ON RECALLED PART NUMBER.