Improperly Bonded Base Rails May Detach

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Wabash National Corporation (Wabash) is recalling certain 2024-2025 RFCVHSC refrigerated van trailers. The base rails may not be bonded properly and can detach, reducing the structural strength of the trailer.

Risk / consequence

Base rails that detach can cause cargo to shift or fall, resulting in a loss of trailer control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install an additional attachment plate, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2024. Owners may contact Wabash customer service at 1-765-771-5404.

Chronology of events

1. Feb 14, 2024

   2/14/2024: Received the first report of baserail separation from the wall. Unit was reassembled, tested and sister units inspected in the field w/no early indications of failure.

2. Feb 27, 2024

   2/27/2024: Opened root cause investigation.

3. Mar 29, 2024

   3/29/2024: Received the second report of baserail separation from the wall. Unit was returned to the factory for further evaluation.

4. Apr 4, 2024

   4/4/2024: Received the third report of baserail separation from the wall. This unit was also returned to the factory for further evaluation. 4/10 thru 4/11/2024: Team evaluation of process controls was performed at the manufacturing facility.

5. Apr 19, 2024

   4/19/2024: Bead blast preparation of the baserail prior to bonding was halted. Transitioned back to previous baserail preparation procedures.

6. May 8, 2024

   5/8/2024: Received the fourth report of baserail separation from the wall.

7. May 16, 2024

   5/16/2024: Visited the owner of the fourth report to inspect and evaluate sister vehicles.

8. May 23, 2024

   5/23/2024: The Product Safety Team met and voted to escalate the baserail separating data to the Product Safety Committee.

9. May 29, 2024

   5/29/2024: The Product Safety Committee met concerning the baserail bonding failures and voted to move forward with a voluntary recall.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

JUN 14, 2024 - JUN 17, 2024

Owner notification

JUN 19, 2024 - JUN 19, 2024