Recall 11V555 affects 257 2010-2011 Mertz Halliburton trailers for defective air-brake slack adjuster housings. Repair is free at any franchised Mertz dealer.
Mertz is recalling 257 2010-2011 Halliburton trailers equipped with Gunite automatic slack adjusters because the adjuster housing can break at the handle under normal operating loads. If that happens, the attached wheel brake no longer works, reducing braking capacity and raising crash risk; the Mertz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The automatic slack adjuster on a 2010-2011 Mertz Halliburton trailer is part of the air brake system. Its job is to take up normal brake lining wear so the brake shoes stay properly adjusted and the air brake chamber does not need excessive travel to apply the brakes.
On the affected trailers, the Gunite slack adjuster housing was cast with incomplete bonding in the iron. That leaves the housing with less structural strength than designed. Under normal operating loads, the housing can break at the handle, which interrupts the adjuster's ability to keep the brake linkage in the correct position.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver would not have a specific warning light, noise, or other early signal identified before the slack adjuster housing breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2010 and 2011 model years using the same brake-system component.
| 2011 Mertz Halliburton | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Mertz Halliburton | brake system |
| Units affected | 257 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the slack adjuster housing breaks, that wheel brake stops working. The vehicle has reduced braking capacity, and a steer axle failure can make the vehicle pull to one side. Crash risk rises when braking capacity is reduced. Schedule service soon and drive cautiously until inspected. Repair will be free at any franchised Mertz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 Mertz Halliburton trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Mertz or a franchised Mertz service location to confirm timing for the free slack-adjuster replacement.
- Schedule the slack-adjuster replacement that restores proper wheel-brake function and helps prevent reduced braking capacity.
- Bring any recall notice you received. If you do not have it, reference recall number 11V555 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra stopping distance and avoid heavy loads when practical.
What happens at the repair
Mertz's filed remedy says owners were notified and the Gunite automatic slack adjusters are replaced free of charge. Because the current dealer status is not listed as available, confirm parts and scheduling with Mertz before bringing in the trailer. Once the repair is open for your VIN, a Mertz technician replaces the slack adjusters rather than repairing the broken housing. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| November 8, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| November 10, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V555?
Recall 11V555 covers 257 2010-2011 Mertz Halliburton trailers equipped with Gunite automatic slack adjusters. The slack adjuster housing has inadequate structural integrity from incomplete casting, which can break under normal loads and reduce braking capacity. Mertz will replace the slack adjusters for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 Mertz Halliburton is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 11V555. If it is, contact Mertz or a Mertz service location to arrange the free slack adjuster replacement. Reference recall number 11V555 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mertz says the slack adjusters will be replaced free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for trailers included in recall 11V555.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking capacity. If the slack adjuster housing breaks, the wheel brake attached to that adjuster no longer functions. If the failed part is on the steer axle, the trailer can pull to one side and increase crash risk.
When did the Mertz Halliburton recall repair start?
The safety recall began on November 8, 2011. Since that date is in the past, owners of included 2010-2011 Mertz Halliburton trailers should contact Mertz or a Mertz service location and reference recall 11V555 to arrange the free slack adjuster replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V555000 |
|---|---|
| Mertz customer service | 1-812-962-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V555 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V555000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →