Recall 11V216 affects 56 2011 Great Dane Reefer and Semi Van trailers with defective air-brake slack adjusters. Accuride/Gunite replaces them for free.
Great Dane is recalling 56 of its 2011 Reefer and Semi Van trailers equipped with Gunite automatic air brake slack adjusters. The slack adjuster housing can crack under normal braking, cause loss of braking, and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Great Dane makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The automatic air brake slack adjuster on the 2011 Great Dane Reefer and Semi Van trailers is part of the air brake linkage. Its job is to keep the brake shoes at the right distance from the brake drum as the brakes wear, so the air brake system applies force correctly when the driver brakes.
In recall 11V216, the affected trailers have Gunite slack adjusters with a housing that lacks enough structural strength. The problem started during casting, when the iron in the housing did not fully knit together. Under normal operating loads, the housing can break at the handle, leaving the brake adjustment hardware unable to do its job as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or technician is not given a reliable sound, light, or feel change before the slack adjuster housing breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers the Reefer and Semi Van trailer models, both tied to the same brake system component.
| 2011 Great Dane Reefer | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Great Dane Semi Van | brake system |
| Units affected | 56 |
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?
A cracked slack adjuster can cause loss of braking and raise the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign listed before failure, so schedule the recall repair soon and have any braking change checked before another trip. Repair will be free at any franchised Great Dane dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Great Dane Reefer or Semi Van trailer is included in this recall.
- Call Accuride at 1-800-677-3786 to confirm the free automatic brake slack-adjuster replacement for your trailer.
- Contact a franchised Great Dane service location once Accuride confirms repair handling for recall number 11V216.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 11V216 when you call.
- Avoid hauling the trailer until the brake slack-adjusters are inspected and replaced; a cracked housing can cause loss of braking.
What happens at the repair
Great Dane's source remedy says the recall repair began on April 20, 2011. For this campaign, Great Dane notifies owners and Accuride/Gunite conducts the repair by replacing the affected Gunite automatic air brake slack adjusters. The replacement is free under the recall. If the trailer still has the recalled slack adjusters, ask a Great Dane dealer or Great Dane service contact to confirm the remedy record and arrange the covered replacement through the campaign process.
Timeline
| April 1, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 20, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V216?
Recall 11V216 covers 56 2011 Great Dane Reefer and Semi Van trailers equipped with Gunite automatic air brake slack adjusters. The slack adjuster housing can crack under normal braking loads, causing loss of braking and increasing crash risk. Accuride/Gunite will replace the affected slack adjusters for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Great Dane Reefer or Semi Van is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 11V216. If it is, contact a Great Dane service location or Accuride at 1-800-677-3786 to arrange the slack adjuster replacement. Reference recall number 11V216 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Great Dane says Accuride/Gunite will replace the affected automatic air brake slack adjusters free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for trailers included in recall 11V216.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of braking. The recalled slack adjuster housing can crack under normal braking conditions, which reduces brake function and increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free replacement before putting the trailer back into regular service.
When did the recall repair start?
The safety recall began on April 20, 2011. That date is already past, so the remedy path is open for affected trailers. Check your VIN, then contact a Great Dane service location or Accuride with recall number 11V216 to schedule the free slack adjuster replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V216000 |
|---|---|
| Great Dane customer service | 1-800-677-3786 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V216 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V216000 |
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →