Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2023 Wabash National Van
The 2023 Wabash National VAN faces recalls for structural issues, notably base rail bonding failures and improper rear impact guard placement. While it has minimal owner complaints, particularly with the wheels, the structural recalls are significant and should be addressed before purchase.
Known issues to inspect
Base rails may detach
How to check: Inspect base rails for bonding; look for gaps or separation.
Rear impact guard misplacement
How to check: Check location of rear impact guard relative to trailer rear.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Pre-start
What to check: Inspect wheels for visible damage or wear.
Red flag: Cracks or excessive wear
- 02
Initial idle
What to check: Listen for unusual engine or body noises.
Red flag: Unusual rattling or clanking
- 03
Moving off
What to check: Feel for structural instability or vibrations.
Red flag: Noticeable shaking or wobbling
- 04
Straightway driving
What to check: Observe for straight-line stability.
Red flag: Pulling to one side
- 05
Stopped, engine running
What to check: Check for any warning lights on.
Red flag: Illuminated warning light
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the base rail bonding issue been fixed?
- Were there any structural repairs made?
- Is the rear impact guard compliant now?
- Have there been any wheel issues?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Maintenance records
- Accident history
- Structural inspection report
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/23/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2023 Wabash National Van.