March 23, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21E020000

Incorrect Jaw Latch Position May Allow Separation

The limited locking engagement may allow the upper jaw to unlatch and a towed vehicle to separate, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E020

Manufacturer Curt Manufacturing LLC

Components STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected 13,474

 

Summary

Curt Manufacturing LLC (Curt Manufacturing) is recalling certain Forged Ball and Pintle Hitch part numbers 48190 and 48200. The pivot hole is out of position, which can limit the locking jaw engagement.

 

Remedy

Curt Manufacturing will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ball and pintle hitch, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Curt Manufacturing customer service at 1-800-798-0813.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

Recall ID 21E-020

This is an important Safety Recall

The remedy will be provided to you at no charge

 

Dear CURT Manufacturing LLC customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

CURT Manufacturing LLC (“CURT”) has decided that a defect exists in certain CURT Ball & Pintle Hitches (CURT Part No. 48190 or 48200). You received this notice because your local CURT Ball & Pintle Hitch distributor or dealer has informed us that you may have purchased one of these pintle hitches.

The affected pintle mounts are marked as CURT Part No. 48190 or 48200.

 

What is the Safety Defect and Safety Hazard?  Due to an out of position pivot hole on the pintle body, the upper jaw latch position is higher than intended.  This condition limits engagement of the locking pawl and may allow the upper jaw to unlatch under load.  If this condition exists, the towed vehicle may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

What will CURT Do?  We will replace the ball & pintle hitch at no charge to you with a similar product.

 

What should you do?  You should immediately take the following steps:

• You should first determine if you have one of the affected ball & pintle hitches (see 3^rd page Inspection Process). If you are not sure, please contact CURT or your local distributor or dealer.
• If you have an affected ball & pintle hitch, you should stop using it immediately.
• Replacements or reimbursement can be obtained directly from CURT by:
  • Contacting CURT either by our website or calling CURT at the number below.
  • As a part of the replacement process:
    • You will be asked for information about when and where you purchased the affected pintle mount, as well as other information (your name, address, and telephone number);
    • You will be required to return the affected ball & pintle hitch to CURT. We will provide you with pre-paid return shipping instructions through UPS.

 

What if I no longer own the CURT Ball & Pintle Hitch?  Please contact us immediately with the new owner’s name, address and other contact information. Also, please forward this notice to the new owner within ten (10) days.

 

What if you need further assistance?  For additional information, you may:

• Go to CURT’s website: curtmfg.com
• Call CURT at 877-287-8634, option 2
• Contact your local CURT Ball & Pintle Hitch distributor or dealer

Please contact us immediately if you need any assistance with this recall.  You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington DC 20591.  The vehicle safety hotline 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:  1-800-424-9153) or go to https://www.safercar.gov if you believe that CURT or your local distributor or dealer have failed or are unable to remedy this defect without charge and within a reasonable amount of time.

Your continued satisfaction with your CURT Ball & Pintle Hitch is important to us.  We have recalled the affected ball & pintle hitches in the interest of your safety, and to make sure your ball & pintle hitch performs properly.  We apologize for this inconvenience, and ask that you complete the recall procedures as soon as possible.

 

Sincerely,

 

CURT Manufacturing, LLC

 

 

INSPECTION PROCESS

Step 1

Lower the locking arm until it rests on top of the hitch ball and ensure the locking pawl is in the latched position by installing the safety lynch pin as shown below.

 

Step 2 – Locked Position

Using a pencil, scribe a line on the locking face of the pawl using the adjacent top face of the pintle base as a guide. See below.

 

Step 3 – Unlocked / Open Position

Remove the safety lynch pin. Lift the locking pawl and arm so the pawl is resting in the center of the top face of the pintle base as shown below.

 

Step 4

Using a tape measure, ensure the center of scribed line is a minimum of 3/8in (9.5mm) from the bottom face of the pawl as shown in Figure 3. If the measurement is greater than 3/8in (9.5mm), the part is safe for continued use.

IMPORTANT: If the measurement to scribed line in Step 4 is less than 3/8″ (9.5mm), immediately discontinue use and return the part to CURT for replacement.

 

NOTICE

If you have any questions regarding the inspection process please contact CURT Product Support for assistance at 877.287.8634, option 2.

 

Plant 130  |  6208 Industrial, Eau Claire, WI 54701  |  Phone 877.287.8634

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

Recall ID 21E-020

This is an important Safety Recall

The remedy will be provided to you at no charge

 

Dear CURT Ball & Pintle Hitch Distributors and Dealers:

 

CURT Manufacturing, LLC (CURT) has notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect in certain CURT Ball & Pintle Hitches (CURT Part No. 48190 & 48200).  Specifically, the upper jaw latch is higher than intended due to an out of position pivot hole on the pintle body.  This condition limits engagement of the locking pawl and may allow the upper jaw to unlatch under load.  If this condition exists, the towed vehicle may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.  We need your cooperation in conducting a voluntary recall for these ball & pintle hitches.  We also ask that you confirm that you have received this notice, such as by an email confirmation.

 

The affected ball & pintle hitches are marked as CURT Part No. 48190 or 48200.   

 

Our records show that we have sold some of these affected ball & pintle hitches to you, and we need your cooperation and immediate attention to implement the recall process.  Specifically:

 

• You should first determine if you have any of the affected ball & pintle hitches and immediately stop sales. The affected ball mounts would have been purchased between November 1^st, 2019 and July 31^st, 2020. You should return all unsold affected ball & pintle hitches to CURT.  Please contact CURT to make arrangements to return these affected ball & pintle hitches.

CURT Product Support
CURT Group
6208 Industrial Drive
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Toll Free: 877-287-8634, Option #2
[email protected]

 

• Please let us know immediately if any of your customers has had a ball & pintle hitch failure or concern relating to this issue.  Please provide this information to us, and we will contact you for more information.
• We need to immediately contact all retail (end-use) purchasers of the affected ball & pintle hitches to have them return their ball & pintle hitches and receive a replacement ball & pintle hitch product. To accomplish this:
  • Please provide us with the name, address and contact information for all retail customers who purchased one of the affected ball & pintle hitches.
  • Alternatively, if your company policy requires you to contact your retail customers directly, please do so immediately, and please let us know the number of customers you have contacted.
  • In addition to both of the above, please let us know if you have sold any affected ball & pintle hitches, but don’t have information which identifies any of these customers, and how many affected ball & pintle hitches are involved.

 

All retail customers should be directed to contact CURT directly as follows:

CURT Product Support
CURT Group
6208 Industrial Drive
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Toll Free: 877-287-8634, Option #2
[email protected]

 

CURT will arrange for the affected ball & pintle hitch to be returned to us, with a replacement ball & pintle hitch sent directly to the retail customer.

 

Getting this done quickly is important to ensure the safety of our customers, and your immediate attention to this will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact us for more information.

 

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

CURT Manufacturing, LLC

 

Plant 130  |  6208 Industrial, Eau Claire, WI 54701  |  Phone 877.287.8634

 

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1 Affected Product

Equipment

BRAND	PART NO.	PRODUCTION DATES
CURT	BALL & PINTLE HITCH

 

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4 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21E020-1707.PDF 213.543KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21E020-7487.pdf 645.513KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-21E020-7805.pdf 366.306KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21E020-6158.pdf 990.056KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21E020&docType=RCL

 

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