Emergency Brake System Switch Wired Incorrectly

Affected vehicles (2)

Component / system

Defect

Alamo Group Inc. (Alamo) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Old Dominion Brush Co. LLCT450, LCT600, LCT650, LCT6000, DCL800TM, GMV550, SCL800TM, XV550, XV600 and XV6000 trailers equipped with John Deere engines. The emergency brake system breakaway switch was incorrectly wired.

Risk / consequence

Incorrect wiring may prevent the emergency trailer brake from engaging when the trailer becomes untethered, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and re-wire the breakaway cable system as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Alamo customer service at 1-800-446-9823.

Chronology of events

1. Sep 29, 2021

   On September 29, 2021, a dealer notified ODB that two DCL800TM25 trailers failed a test of the breakaway cable system during a standard pre-delivery inspection because the emergency brakes did not engage when the breakaway cable plug was pulled.

2. October 2021

   In October 2021, ODB conducted a safety investigation to assess the failure mode, the failure rate, and potential causes. ODB interviewed all assemblers of the breakaway cable system and learned the assemblers wired the breakaway cable to either of the two posts on the starter solenoid (i.e., to either to the battery or to the starter). ODB also learned from the quality control technician that he only tested the service brakes of the trailer and not the breakaway switch. As part of the safety investigation, ODB inspected five trailers in production or still on the lot. ODB identified that all the units with a John Deere engine had incorrect wiring whereas all the units with a Kubota engine had correct wiring. ODB inspected five additional units manufactured in 2018 that were in ODB’s custody for warranty-related purposes. The breakaway cable was correctly wired to the battery in these five units. As of November 19, 2021, Alamo was aware of no warranty claims, no deaths, and no injuries related to this issue. The September 29, 2021, dealer report is the only such notification Alamo has received on this issue. On

3. Nov 19, 2021

   November 19, 2021, Alamo decided to declare a voluntary safety recall to remedy this issue.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

JAN 03, 2022 - JAN 23, 2022

Owner notification

JAN 03, 2022 - JAN 23, 2022