NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Equipment Query EQ16-003: Wheel End may Separate from Axle
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Equipment Query EQ16-003 on August 12, 2016 and closed it on June 6, 2017. NHTSA's investigations file lists the SAF-Holland 5 Inch Tapered Axles for it and links recall 17V-041 to it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- EQ16-003 (also written EQ16003)
- Investigation type
- Equipment Query An administrative investigation that reviews recall reports to confirm that the equipment suppliers and vehicle manufacturers involved in an equipment recall have filed the recall reports required of them.
- Status
- Closed June 6, 2017
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturer
- SAF-Holland
- Component
- Suspension — Rear — Axle — Spindle
- Recall linked by NHTSA
- 17V-041: Wheel End may Separate from Axle, reported
- Vehicles and equipment
- SAF-Holland 5 Inch Tapered Axles
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Equipment Query EQ16-003.
Background On October 1, 2015, SAF-Holland notified the agency that it is recalling certain 5-Inch Tapered Axles used in trailer applications, part numbers 24790175090, 24790745090, and 24790165090, manufactured December 13, 2011, to December 25, 2011.
In the affected axles, the wheel end may separate from the axle due to an out of specification material thickness on the spindle.
A wheel end that separates from the trailer axle increases the risk of a crash.
This matter was assigned recall number 15E-080.
In its 573 Defect Notification Report, SAF-Holland identified that it sold loose axles to Vanguard National Trailer Corporation designated to be installed as original equipment to multiple trailers manufacturers.
On August 12, 2016, an Equipment Query (EQ) was opened to obtain a list of purchasers that were sold these axles so they are made aware of SAF-Holland?s safety defect decision and to ensure the follow-up on defect decisions are made as to the products that incorporated the defective equipment.
On November 3, 2016, SAF-Holland responded via email and provided the requested purchaser list.
RECALL MANAGEMENT DIVISION ACTION RMD sent letters to each purchaser between November 4, and December 2, 2016 and requested that a safety recall decision be made, that the requisite notice be filed, and that a recall campaign be conducted where appropriate.
As a result, one company filed a defect report and is conducting a safety recall: ? Pratt Industries ? NHTSA recall number 17V-041The following company provided a written statement that it did not sell any products containing the defective axles to customers:? The Modern GroupAfter numerous attempts, the following companies did not respond to the NHTSA inquiry and have been referred to Chief Counsel:? General Services ? Midwest Metal ? Drake Trailers? The following companies are out of business.? Majona Steel ? Bourbon TrailersAccordingly, this Equipment Query investigation is closed. Copies of documents associated with this investigation, including responses to IR letters, can be found in this Equipment Query?s document repository by clicking the ?Associated Documents? button.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Equipment Query EQ16-003. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
SAF-Holland
SAF-Holland 5 Inch Tapered Axles
- model year not given
What an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for EQ16-003
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.