Recall 11V169 affects 9,900 2005-2008 Wabash Van trailers for an under-torqued axle spindle nut. Repair is free at any franchised Wabash dealer.
Wabash is recalling 9,900 2005-2008 Van trailers under recall 11V169 because the spindle nut on certain ArvinMeritor TL Series trailer axles did not get enough torque. Low or missing torque can create excessive end-play in the wheel-end system, lead to wheel separation, and increase crash risk; the Wabash dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The axle spindle on a 2005-2008 Wabash Van trailer is the fixed shaft that supports the wheel hub and wheel-end bearings. The spindle nut holds that hub assembly at the correct bearing setting, so the wheel end stays tight while the trailer carries load and rolls at highway speed.
On affected trailers with ArvinMeritor TL series axles, the spindle nut concern centers on torque and the stake washer. The nut was not tightened enough, and the washer was staked in a single location instead of being locked in multiple locations. That leaves the wheel end with less secure retention than designed, which lets movement build at the hub and bearing assembly.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or fleet shop should not rely on noise, vibration, or a dashboard alert to identify this defect before the wheel-end hardware loses its designed clamp load.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2005-2008 model years, with each Van trailer tied to the same suspension component.
| 2008 Wabash Van | suspension component |
|---|---|
| 2005 Wabash Van | suspension component |
| 2007 Wabash Van | suspension component |
| 2006 Wabash Van | suspension component |
| Units affected | 9,900 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Low or missing torque on the wheel-end nut allows excessive wheel-end play. If that play progresses, the wheel can separate and lead to a crash. Schedule the recall service promptly and limit driving until the wheel-end system is inspected and repaired. Repair will be free at any franchised Wabash dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2008 Wabash Van is included in this recall.
- Contact Wabash or the service contact listed in your owner notice before scheduling axle work.
- Ask whether the free spindle-nut torque and stake-washer repair is open for your VIN; this repair corrects excessive wheel-end play on the ArvinMeritor TL series trailer axles.
- Reference recall number 11V169 when you call.
- Avoid hauling with the trailer until Wabash confirms the axle repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The known repair path is through Wabash and the vehicle manufacturers, working with ArvinMeritor. Once the dealer repair is available, a Wabash technician will inspect trailers with the affected ArvinMeritor TL Series axles and correct the spindle nut and stake washer condition on the subject axle assembly. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The source record does not give a separate shop time, so the service desk will confirm timing when your VIN or trailer record is checked.
Timeline
| March 4, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 12, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V169?
Recall 11V169 covers 9,900 2005-2008 Wabash Van trailers equipped with ArvinMeritor TL Series trailer axles. The spindle nut lacked proper torque on some axles, which can create excessive wheel-end play and wheel separation. ArvinMeritor worked with Wabash to repair affected vehicles for free.
What should I do if my 2005-2008 Wabash Van is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 11V169. If it is, contact a franchised Wabash dealer or ArvinMeritor at 1-866-668-7221 and reference recall 11V169. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy states that affected vehicles with the subject ArvinMeritor axles were repaired free of charge through the manufacturer repair process.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel separation. Low or missing torque on the spindle nut can create excessive end-play in the wheel-end system. If the wheel separates from the trailer, the driver can lose control and the condition raises crash risk.
What if I bought this Wabash Van used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your trailer is included, then give recall number 11V169 to the Wabash dealer or ArvinMeritor when you call.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V169000 |
|---|---|
| Wabash customer service | 1-866-668-7221 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V169 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V169000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →