CERTAIN VAN TRAILERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 223, "REAR IMPACT GUARDS." DURING TESTING, THE SLIDER SUSPENSION RAIL BETWEEN THE REAR IMPACT SYSTEM AND THE REAR SUPPORT AT THE REAR OF THE RIG SYSTEM DEFORMED. THE RIG SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF THE REAR IMPACT GUARD AND THE TRAILER SUPPORT SYSTEM. THE TESTING PROCEDURE WAS FOR GUARD ENERGY ABSORPTION AND GUARD STRENGTH.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES THAT OCCUR WHEN LIGHT DUTY VEHICLES COLLIDE WITH THE REAR END OF TRAILERS AND SEMITRAILERS.
DEALERS WILL ADD SUPPORTS BETWEEN THE TRAILER CROSSMEMBERS ABOVE THE END OF THE SLIDER RAILS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIDRON AT 800-321-5421.
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.