Recall 11V454 affects 642 2004-2011 Aultimate agricultural trailers for rear bumpers mounted too high. Aultimate replaces the bumper for free.
Aultimate is recalling 642 2004-2011 agricultural trailers with Rear Bumpers under recall 11V454 because the rear bumper sits too high and does not provide enough underride protection. In a crash, a passenger vehicle bumper can travel under the trailer bumper, increasing injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear bumper on a 2004-2011 Aultimate agricultural trailer is part of the rear impact guard system. Its job is to sit low enough and present enough vertical surface at the back of the trailer to help stop a smaller vehicle from sliding under the trailer in a rear-end crash.
On the recalled trailers, the bumper does not meet federal rear impact protection standards 223 and 224. The bottom edge sits higher from the ground than allowed, which reduces underride protection. The vertical face of the bumper is also shorter than required, so it gives less surface for a striking vehicle to contact.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is a design and compliance problem, not a wear item that makes noise or triggers a dashboard light, so the bumper can look normal during a walkaround while still needing the recall repair.
Who's affected?
This scope spans eight model years, all tied to the same body-structure bumper component.
| 2006 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2007 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
| 2004 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
| 2011 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
| 2010 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
| 2009 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
| 2008 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
| 2005 Aultimate Rear Bumpers | body structure |
| Units affected | 642 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, a passenger vehicle bumper can travel under the trailer bumper if the rear bumper sits at a noncompliant height. That reduces bumper protection and impact load distribution, increasing injury risk for people in the passenger vehicle. Until repaired, drive cautiously around passenger vehicles. Repair will be free at any franchised Aultimate dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2011 Aultimate Rear Bumpers equipment is included in this recall.
- Contact Aultimate customer service at 1-308-632-6197 to confirm the current repair path for recall number 11V454.
- Ask about the free rear-bumper replacement that restores the correct rear impact guard height.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. Owner notices were mailed on November 11, 2011.
- Avoid hauling the trailer until Aultimate confirms the bumper repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Aultimate's remedy is to replace the rear bumper with one positioned at the correct height for the required rear-impact protection. When the repair is available, an Aultimate technician removes the noncompliant bumper and installs the compliant replacement. The dealer repair will be free once available. The goal is to restore the bumper height and rear guard coverage described in recall 11V454, so the trailer meets the applicable rear-impact guard requirements.
Timeline
| September 1, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 11, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V454?
Recall 11V454 covers 642 2004-2011 Aultimate Rear Bumpers on agricultural trailers with rear impact guards that do not meet federal rear impact protection requirements. The bumper height and vertical coverage can reduce underride protection in a crash. Aultimate will replace the rear bumper for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2011 Aultimate Rear Bumpers are on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included in recall 11V454. If it is, contact Aultimate service about the rear bumper replacement and reference recall number 11V454 when you call. The remedy is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the safety defect at no cost, and Aultimate will replace the rear bumper with one placed at the compliant height. Parts and labor are covered for trailers included in recall 11V454.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rear underride protection in a crash. A passenger vehicle's bumper can travel under the trailer's rear bumper, increasing injury risk for people in that vehicle. The free repair replaces the rear bumper with one that meets the required placement and height.
What if I bought this Aultimate trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2004-2011 Aultimate Rear Bumpers are included, then contact Aultimate service with recall number 11V454.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V454000 |
|---|---|
| Aultimate customer service | 1-308-632-6197 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V454 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V454000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →