Recall 10V149 affects 175 2002-2006 Unimog U500NA trucks for defective transverse control arm welds. Repair is free at any franchised Unimog dealer.
Unimog is recalling 175 2002-2006 U500NA trucks because a weld in the transverse control arm can let the arm eye separate from the tube without warning under severe driving conditions. That separation can cause loss of vehicle control and raise the risk of a crash and personal injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front control arm is part of the suspension on 2002-2006 Unimog U500NA trucks. It helps hold the front wheel assembly in position while the suspension moves over uneven ground. The control arm tube and its welded eyes need to stay firmly joined so the axle and steering geometry stay controlled.
On affected trucks, the weld that connects the transverse control arm eyes to the control arm tube was not made to specification. Under severe driving conditions, that weak weld can let an eye separate from the tube. If that joint comes apart, the front suspension loses a key connection, which is the safety concern referenced in NHTSA campaign 10V149. The dealer repair is free.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing says the separation can happen without warning under severe driving conditions, so owners should not rely on noise, vibration, or handling changes to identify the defect first.
Who's affected?
Covers five model years of the U500NA, all tied to the front control arm.
| 2003 Unimog U500NA | control arm |
|---|---|
| 2006 Unimog U500NA | control arm |
| 2002 Unimog U500NA | control arm |
| 2004 Unimog U500NA | control arm |
| 2005 Unimog U500NA | control arm |
| Units affected | 175 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A transverse control arm that separates from its tube can make the vehicle lose control. That raises crash and injury risk. Drive cautiously and schedule the front and rear suspension inspection with the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Unimog dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2002-2006 Unimog U500NA is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Unimog dealer and ask whether the free suspension control-arm inspection is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the transverse control-arm inspection and replacement if needed, which fixes the weld issue that lets the control arm eye separate from the tube.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 10V149 when you call.
- Avoid severe driving conditions until the dealer confirms the front and rear suspension transverse control arms are repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Unimog technician inspects the front and rear suspension transverse control arms. Any transverse control arm with an improper weld is replaced at no charge under the recall. The filing says the safety recall began on June 2, 2010, but the remedy status is not marked available, so confirm parts and scheduling with the dealer before bringing the truck in. The dealer repair is free once available.
Timeline
| April 15, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 2, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V149?
Recall 10V149 covers 175 2002-2006 Unimog U500NA trucks with front and rear suspension transverse control arm welds that are not to specification. Under severe driving conditions, the control arm eye can separate from the tube. Dealers inspect the control arms and replace improperly welded parts for free.
What should I do if my 2002-2006 Unimog U500NA is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 10V149. If it is, contact a franchised Unimog dealer to schedule the front and rear suspension control arm inspection. Reference recall number 10V149 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 10V149, dealers inspect the front and rear suspension transverse control arms and replace improperly welded control arms free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. NHTSA campaign 10V149 says unexpected separation of the transverse control arm eye from the control arm tube can result in a crash and personal injury. There is no warning sign before failure.
What if I bought my Unimog U500NA used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2002-2006 Unimog U500NA is included, then call a franchised Unimog dealer and reference recall 10V149.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V149000 |
|---|---|
| Unimog customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V149 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V149000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →