Spare Tire Winch System May Fail – 2023-2024 Diamond C FMAX, SDX, & PX Trailers

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-655 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Diamond C Trailer MFG. Submission Date : SEP 28, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23V-655 Manufacturer Recall No. : NR Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Diamond C Trailer MFG. Address : 4006 FM 3417 Mount pleasant TX 75455 Company phone : 5722834 Population : Number of potentially involved : 2,523 Estimated percentage with defect : 5 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2023-2024 Diamond C Trailers, MFG. FMAX, SDX, PX Vehicle Type : TRAILERS Body Style : OTHER Power Train : NR Descriptive Information : Determination of the recall population is trailers manufactured during the time frame indicated and equipped with a spare winch system. Vehicles outside of this population are either not equipped with the potentially defective product or were constructed using updated components and procedures not subject to the defect. There are 2523 trailers potentially affected. Production Dates : AUG 01, 2022 – AUG 08, 2023 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Defect : Description of the Defect : The winch system that secures the spare tire to the trailer may loosen or fail over time. FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : Loosening or failure of the winch system may result in the tire detaching from the trailer. Description of the Cause : While the cause of the defect is still under investigation, the cause appears to be due to one of three factors, individually, or in tandem: (a) the lack of an appropriate tensioning spring in the winch system; (b) the failure to appropriately tighten the winch system during installation; and (c) an undersized bracket used in the securement for the winch system. It is currently unknown whether or how improper usage of the trailers has impacted or contributed to this problem. Identification of Any Warning A visual and physical inspection of the spare tire winch system will show that Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-655 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 that can Occur : the spare tire is not secured properly. An inspection may show a tire hanging away from the trailer or the tire may move when manipulated. Involved Components : Component Name 1 : Spare Winch with Offset Cable Component Description : NR Component Part Number : 159056 Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : Lippert Components, Inc. Address : 52567 Independence Ct. Elkhart Indiana 46514 Country : United States Chronology : 11/23/22–First warranty notice rec’d. Notice identified spare tire detaching from trailer. 12/3/22–Warranty notice rec’d 1/10/23-Investigation into warranty claims began. Reported issues to the winch manufacturer and rec’d notice that improper installation procedures and/or lack of tensioning spring in the product could be a root cause. 1/12/23-Initial investigation resulted in a decision to adjust installation procedures and add tensioning spring to the system. 1/16/23-Warranty notice rec’d 1/26/23-New installation procedures implemented 1/30/23-Inventory with tension spring put into production. Together with the new installation procedures, referred to as “Update.” After Update, Diamond C believed issue was corrected. 4/7/23-Warranty notice rec’d 5/3/23-Warranty notice rec’d 5/25/23-Field report indicated that spare tire had lowered in transit. It was determined that the winch system may not have been tightened properly during installation and was an isolated issue. 5/26/23-Warranty notice rec’d. Trailer built after Update. 6/12/23-Warranty notice rec’d. Trailer built after Update. 6/27/23-Field report identified spare tire detaching from trailer. 6/28/23-Reopened investigation and root cause analysis. 6/30/23-Warranty notice rec’d. Trailer built after Update. 6/30/23-Field report indicated that the winch system may not be strong enough to support the weight of the Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-655 Page 3 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 tire. Included pictures of deformed securement brackets. 7/17/23-Warranty notice rec’d 8/1/23-Additional analysis revealed that some trailers may be equipped with undersized securement brackets and that may contribute to the problem. 8/2/23-Warranty notice rec’d. Trailer built after Update. 8/8/23-Securement bracket replaced with stronger version on new production. 8/17/23-Warranty notice rec’d 9/21/23–Based on review of investigation and warranty reports, although the root cause of the problem is not yet certain, Diamond C determined that a safety defect existed. Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : Diamond C will repair the affected trailers using the repair procedures developed and communicated to dealers, which involves addition of a secondary retention device in the form of a steel bar and latch. Diamond C will also agree to reimburse any customer who purchased one of the potentially affected trailers who fixed or attempted to fix the binding issue at his or her own cost before Diamond C notified NHTSA or issued its owner notifications. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : Trailers equipped with the remedy component can be identified by visual inspection. Presence of a secondary retention device in the form of steel bar and latch securing the tire in place will be visible from the exterior of the vehicle. Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : Diamond C corrected the recall condition on all trailers produced after August 08, 2023 by installing winch components with the proper tensioning spring, updating installation procedures, and installing a stronger securement bracket. Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : Diamond C anticipates that owner letters will be sent out within 30 days of NHTSA sending a written acknowledgement letter to Diamond C approving the contents of this safety defect report. A final copy of owner letter will be provided to NHTSA, along with repair procedures. All repairs will be completed within 60 days of a customer presenting its trailer to Diamond C for repair. Planned Dealer Notification Date : OCT 30, 2023 – NOV 27, 2023 Planned Owner Notification Date : OCT 30, 2023 – NOV 27, 2023 * NR – Not Reported

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