Improperly Welded Rear Impact Guard

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Great Dane Trailers (Great Dane) is recalling certain 2025 Champion Dry Van trailers. The rear impact guard may have been welded improperly.

Risk / consequence

A rear impact guard that is not properly secured can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the rear impact guard as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2024. Owners may contact Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493.

Chronology of events

1. Aug 8, 2024

   Aug. 08, 2024: Great Dane Manufacturing reports to facility supplying RIGs that they discovered some with missing welds Aug. 08 - Aug. 12, 2024: Great Dane Manufacturing facilities inspecting suspect RIGs and investigating how many RIGs were affected

2. Aug 13, 2024

   Aug. 13, 2024: Great Dane Corporate Quality notified of the issue and that some units may have left our manufacturing facilities prior to being reworked.

3. Aug 15, 2024

   Aug. 15, 2024: Great Dane Manufacturing asks if the suspect welds are structurally necessary and if units that may be in the field would also need to be reworked.

4. Aug 16, 2024

   Aug. 16, 2024: Great Dane Engineering confirms that suspect welds are structurally necessary and that if units are in the field they will need to be reworked. Aug. 16 - Sep. 4, 2024: Rework at Great Dane Manufacturing facilities continues

5. Sep 4, 2024

   Sep. 4, 2024: Great Dane Warranty asks Great Dane Quality to confirm if any trailers left the manufacturing facilities prior to being reworked.

6. Sep. 9, 2004; Great Dane Quality confirms that affected trailers are in the field, and provided a list of suspect VINs. Great Dane determines that a recall is necessary.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

NOV 12, 2024 - NOV 12, 2024

Owner notification

NOV 12, 2024 - NOV 12, 2024