Fuel Tank Brackets May Detach – 2018-2022 Wabash Van Trailers

July 30, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V588000

Fuel Tank Brackets May Detach

Detached fuel tank brackets could allow the fuel tank to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V588

Manufacturer Wabash National Corporation

Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 352

 

Summary

Wabash National Corporation (Wabash) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Van Trailers. The fuel tank brackets may detach.

 

Remedy

Dealers will add an aluminum plate and 4 fasteners to each bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners may contact Wabash customer service at 1-765-771-5404. Wabash’s number for this recall is B21012.

 

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.nhtsa.gov.

 

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BULLETIN

Subject:	Securement of Bonded Fuel Tank Brackets
Date:	August 10, 2021	Rev.:	FR	No.:	B21012
Re.:	Connection Inspection and Installation of Redundant Fasteners.			Type:	Safety
Priority:	Earliest Opportunity
Units Affected:	Please see VIN # listing.

 

Background:

We have received reports of certain Bonded Fuel Tank brackets becoming detached from the composite Longitudinal beam. This bulletin will explain how to add Doubler plates and Redundant fasteners to this connection for added strength.

 

Materials:

Item	Part Number	Qty.
Doubler Plate	08A00817	2
Bolts	BLT00871	8
Nuts	NUT00001	8
Washers	WSH00006	16
Adhesive	93350081	1

 

Tools:

Caulking Gun

Drill

Right Angle Drill

9/16” Socket

9/16” Wrench

3/8” Drill Bit

7/16” Wrench

TX 30 Torx Bit

Impact Wrench

Accetone or Isopropyl Aclohol

Paper Towels

Pad Sander

40 Grit Sandpaper

Vice Grip Clamps

Torque Wrench

 

CAUTION!

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment [PPE] like gloves, safety glasses and hard hat for example, when carrying out the following procedure.
• Should welding or cutting be needed, do so in a well ventilated area and wear appropriate head/face/eye protection, welding gloves and clothing.
• Refer to adhesive and chemical manufacturer’s MSDS for safe use and handling instructions if applicable.
• Follow your company’s safety procedures in addition to these recommendations.
•  Follow industry standards for installation and tightening of all fasteners where torque values are not called out

 

Procedure:

1. Remove the bolts securing the skirt panel to the front Spring Post on the roadside of the trailer.

 

2. Remove the single fastener securing the Safety Tether at the mid-point of the same panel.

 

3. With the Skirt Panel still attached to the second Spring Post, carefully push down on the panel and pull out and away to provide access to the fuel tank.

 

This is an exploded view of the parts you will be installing

 

4. Position the Aluminum Doubler Plate inside the upper channel of the existing Tank bracket.

 

5. Once the Doubler plate is properly positioned, use it as a template to mark the 4 holes for drilling.

 

6. Using a 3/8” drill bit, drill through the existing tank bracket and into the Longitudinal beam. Note: Use caution to not drill all the way through the beam.

 

7. Using a combination square, mark a line across the beam in line with the end of the existing tank bracket.

 

8. Line up the aluminum doubler plate and clamp it into position. Note: Use caution to not push the plate up too high. It should sit flat and tight to the side of the beam.

 

9. Using a Right Angle drill, drill through the beam and out through the previously drilled holes in the existing bracket. Note: A 6.5” to 7” bit is optimal for this step.

 

10. Once all holes are drilled, prep the Aluminum plate and Composite beam for gluing and bolting.

 

Prep the Composite beam by thoroughly cleaning with paper towel and Accetone or Isopropyl alcohol.

 

Prep the mating surface of the Aluminum plate using 40 grit nonstearate paper, and follow up with a thorough Accetone or Alcohol wipe.

 

11. Apply three ¼” beads of the provided Industrial adhesive as shown.

 

12. From the outside in, insert the two outboard (end) bolts. Place the aluminum plate over the two bolts with the adhesive towards the mounting beam.

 

13. Install flat washers and nuts on to the two installed bolts and tighten snug. Repeat these steps for the two remaining inboard bolts. Note: Use caution to not overtighten the fasteners or the Composite beam may become damaged.

 

14. Torque the nuts to 20 ft. lbs. +/– 2 ft. lbs.

The outboard side of the tank is now complete.

 

15. Repeat steps 7 and 8 from above for the inboard Tank bracket.

 

16. Once the doubler plate is clamped into position, using an adequate length bit, drill all the way through the Composite beam and the existing Tank bracket using the Overlay plate as a drill template.

 

17. Once all four holes are drilled, with the exception of these bolts being installed from the inside out, repeat steps 10,11,12,13,and 14 from above.

 

18. Once both aluminum plates have been installed and properly torqued, caulk around the perimeter of both plates. Also caulk around the perimeter of existing fuel tank mounting brackets if factory caulk is poor or absent.

 

19. Reattach the Skirt panel using the pre-existing hardware.

The Recall Bulletin is now complete and should resemble the following model.

 

Special Instructions

• Prior to starting this repair, both existing Tank brackets should be inspected for signs of de-bonding or looseness.

 

• If any existing brackets are found to have issues please send pictures to [email protected] &  [email protected]

 

• Should you have questions or concerns about this repair please contact Eric Johnson @ 765-771-5444,  John Gabriel @ 765-771-5428 or Brent Howard @765-237-8426

 

• The SRT for this Recall repair is 2.5 hours per unit affected.

 

• Be cautious of all sharp edges in the surrounding work area.

 

• Clamp time on Loctite adhesive is 24 hours. We suggest that the trailer be parked for 24 hours after this repair before returning to service.

 

• Loctite PL Premium-3X adhesive is being used for this repair bulletin only. Loctite PL Premium-3X adhesive should not be used for any other repairs or additions to any Wabash National products without Engineering approval from Wabash National.

 

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August 11, 2021

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
NHTSA Recall#  21V-588
This applies to your vehicle, see attached VIN list

 

Dear Wabash National Corporation Customer,

 

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

 

Wabash National Corporation (WNC) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2018-2022 model year Wabash National Van trailers equipped with bonded fuel tank brackets.

A complete listing of your trailers impacted by this recall is included with this letter.

 

Description of Defect: 

The fuel tank brackets installed on certain refrigerated van trailers may become detached

 

Risk to Motor Vehicle Safety:

If the fuel tank brackets become detached while the trailer is in motion, there is an increased risk of an accident or injury.

 

Precautions You Should Take:

The condition of the fuel tank brackets typically will not be apparent during routine inspections. A visual inspection is needed to see if one of the fuel tank brackets is detached. We feel that this inspection should take place as soon as practical, but not to exceed your normal PM cycle.

 

Remedy:

Enclosed with this notification is WNC Safety Bulletin “B21012”, and a list of the affected equipment. The equipment listed within, should be inspected and remedied per the instructions described in bulletin B21012. This repair should take approximately 2.5 hours and will be performed at no cost to the owner. The owner may perform this recall and be reimbursed by Wabash National, or you may contact your nearest Wabash National Warranty Provider for assistance. If you need help finding a Warranty Provider, please contact the Wabash National Warranty Department at 765-771-5404, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, ET.

If this repair has been performed at cost to the owner prior to receipt of this notification, the owner may be eligible to receive reimbursement for the cost of obtaining a pre-notification remedy of the problem associated with this recall. For more information, contact the Wabash National Warranty Department at 765-771-5404, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, ET.

 

Further Assistance:

If your affected trailers have not been repaired within a reasonable amount of time after this defect notification, or if you have additional questions regarding this recall, please contact the Wabash National Warranty Department at 765-771-5404, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, ET.

 

If you are the lessor of this vehicle, please forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within 10 days to comply with federal regulations.

 

Complaints:

You may also submit complaints to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll-free vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov, if it is believed that the defect has not been remedied without charge or within a reasonable time.

 

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this safety recall.

 

Thank you,

 

Mike Jones
Warranty Manager
Wabash National
1000 Sagamore Parkway S
Lafayette, IN 47905

 

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August 11, 2021

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA Recall#  21V-588

 

This applies to your vehicle, see attached VIN list

 

Dear Wabash National Corporation Dealer,

 

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

 

Wabash National Corporation (WNC) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2018-2022 model year Wabash National Van trailers equipped with bonded fuel tank brackets.

A complete listing of your trailers impacted by this recall is included with this letter.

 

Description of Defect: 

The fuel tank brackets installed on certain refrigerated van trailers may become detached

 

Risk to Motor Vehicle Safety:

If the fuel tank brackets become detached while the trailer is in motion, there is an increased risk of an accident or injury.

 

Precautions You Should Take:

The condition of the fuel tank brackets typically will not be apparent during routine inspections. A visual inspection is needed to see if one of the fuel tank brackets is detached. We feel that this inspection should take place as soon as practical, but not to exceed your normal PM cycle.

 

Remedy:

Enclosed with this notification is WNC Safety Bulletin “B21012”, and a list of the affected equipment. The equipment listed within, should be inspected, and remedied per the instructions described in bulletin B21012. This repair should take approximately 2.5 hours and will be performed at no cost to the owner. The owner may perform this recall and be reimbursed by Wabash National, or you may contact your nearest Wabash National Warranty Provider for assistance. If you need help finding a Warranty Provider, please contact the Wabash National Warranty Department at 765-771-5404, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, ET.

If this repair has been performed at cost to the owner prior to receipt of this notification, the owner may be eligible to receive reimbursement for the cost of obtaining a pre-notification remedy of the problem associated with this recall. For more information, contact the Wabash National Warranty Department at 765-771-5404, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, ET.

 

Further Assistance:

If your affected trailers have not been repaired within a reasonable amount of time after this defect notification, or if you have additional questions regarding this recall, please contact the Wabash National Warranty Department at 765-771-5404, Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, ET.

 

If you are the lessor of this vehicle, please forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within 10 days to comply with federal regulations.

 

 

Complaints:

You may also submit complaints to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll-free vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov, if it is believed that the defect has not been remedied without charge or within a reasonable time.

 

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this safety recall.

 

Thank you,

 

Mike Jones
Warranty Manager
Wabash National
1000 Sagamore Parkway S
Lafayette, IN 47905

 

P.O. Box 6129 | Lafayette, IN 47903 | Phone: (765) 771-5300

 

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5 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
WABASH NATIONAL	VAN	2018-2022

 

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10 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V588-8047.PDF 215.511KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V588-4218.pdf 646.06KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 2

RCLRPT-21V588-2922.PDF 215.513KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V588-4004.pdf 400.043KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21V588-3149.PDF 215.511KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V588-7513.pdf 1595.545KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-21V588-5090.pdf 392.76KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V588-2772.PDF 211.233KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V588-6853.PDF 211.126KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2022-1

RCLQRT-21V588-0109.PDF 211.316KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V588&docType=RCL

 

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