2000 Great Dane TRAILER: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-11-22 (November 22, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH HUBS PROVIDED BY WEBB WHEEL PRODUCTS. THESE TRUCK TRAILER DISC WHEEL HUBS HAVE DIRECT-MACHINED ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), PART NUMBER 2023A, AND MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 14 AND JUNE 7, 2000. THE ABS TEETH ARE MACHINED INTO THE INNER FACE OF THE HUB BORE, AND THE TEETH ARE MACHINED OFF CENTER FROM THE CENTER OF THE HUB. THE SPEED SENSOR OF THE ABS SYSTEM READS THE TOOTH PATTERN AND SENDS ERRONEOUS SIGNALS TO THE ABS CONTROL UNIT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM TO CYCLE RAPIDLY AND EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCES DURING AN ABS CONTROLLED BRAKE APPLICATION POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: GREAT DANE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS TO INSPECT FOR DEFECTIVE HUBS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUBS FREE OF CHARGE.

Reported: 2001-04-23 (April 23, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAILERS. THESE TRAILERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE TRAILERS FAIL TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CONTINUOUS POWER TO THE REAR PINTLE HOOK ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence: A NON-FUNCTIONING TRAILER ABS COULD ALLOW THE TRAILER TO SKID, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A WIRING HARNESS WHICH WILL BE RUN FROM THE FRONT NOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE PINTLE HOOK ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 1, 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 GREAT DANE AT 1-912-644-2100.

Reported: 2002-08-15 (August 15, 2002)

ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-2, SR-4, AND SR-5 TRAILER SPRING BRAKE VALVE ASSEMBLIES, THE MOLDED RUBBER FACE OF THE INLET/EXHAUST VALVE (I/E VALVE) COMPONENT OF THE AFFECTED VALVES CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VALVE'S METAL INSERT. AIR CAN BE TRAPPED BY A SEPARATED I/E VALVE CAUSING IT TO BALLOON AND BLOCK THE EXHAUST PASSAGE OF THE TRAILER SPRING BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BEING UNABLE TO APPLY THE TRAILER PARKING/EMERGENCY SPRING BRAKES DURING PARKING IN THE EVENT OF A TRAILER SUPPLY LINE FAILURE. UNINTENDED ROLLAWAY COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT OR ANY BYSTANDERS.

Remedy: BENDIX WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. 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 BENDIX AT 440-329-9000 OR GREAT DANE AT 912-644-2100.

Reported: 2002-08-15 (August 15, 2002)

ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLIES, THERE IS A RECESSED AREA ON TOP OF THE VALVE IN WHICH A BRASS GUIDE PIN FITS DOWN INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VALVE AND IS HELD IN PLACE BY A STEEL SNAP RING. THE RECESSED AREA ALLOWS ACCUMULATION OF WATER, DIRT, AND/OR CHEMICALS TO BUILD UP BEHIND THE SNAP RING TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NO LONGER CONTAIN THE GUIDE PIN RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE AIR VALVE.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE VALVE IN AN EMPTY OR LIGHTLY LOADED TRAILER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULT IN A HARD APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES, POSSIBLY LOCKING UP THE TRAILER WHEELS AND RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SEALCO WILL PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. 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 SEALCO AT 602-253-1007 OR GREAT DANE AT 912-644-2100.

Reported: 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)

ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX EC-30T ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS (ECU). IF THE TRAILER-MOUNTED ABS WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT EXPERIENCES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND THE SHORT IS NOT REPAIRED, THE HIGH SIDE POWER SWITCH INSIDE THE ECU THAT CONTROLS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TRAILER-MOUNTED ABS WARNING LAMP MAY EVENTUALLY BECOME THERMALLY STRESSED AND EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence: IN AN OVER-CURRENT CONDITION IN THE ECU AND LEAD TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy: DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AND ALSO PROVIDE A LABOR ALLOWANCE FOR THE REPAIR. 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 BENDIX AT 1-800-478-1793 OR GREAT DANE AT 1-800-633-4176.