Recall 11V594 affects 1,767 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer vehicles with Meritor axles because FAG bearings can fail and cause a wheel-end fire. Repair is free.
Cottrell is recalling 1,767 2006-2011 Trailer units equipped with Meritor axles that use the FAG brand bearing system. Low bearing durability can degrade the grease during prolonged use and lead to bearing failure and a wheel end fire; the Cottrell dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The axle bearing system on 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer models sits inside the Meritor axle assembly. Bearings let the wheel end rotate smoothly while carrying the load placed on the trailer axle. In normal service, the bearing keeps friction controlled so the wheel end turns without excess heat or wear.
On affected trailers, the Meritor axles contain a FAG brand bearing system that has shown low durability life in this application. That means the bearing does not last as long as designed under the load and operating conditions of these trailers. As the bearing wears, the axle assembly loses the smooth, supported rotation it depends on.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the recall notice does not list an owner-visible symptom, do not rely on noise, vibration, or a routine walkaround to rule out the defect.
Who's affected?
Spans six model years, all involving the drive axle.
| 2006 Cottrell Trailer | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2011 Cottrell Trailer | drive axle |
| 2009 Cottrell Trailer | drive axle |
| 2007 Cottrell Trailer | drive axle |
| 2010 Cottrell Trailer | drive axle |
| 2008 Cottrell Trailer | drive axle |
| Units affected | 1,767 |
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?
In recall 11V594, prolonged use of the system can degrade bearing grease. That damage can lead to bearing failure and a wheel end fire. If your VIN is included, limit use and arrange service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Cottrell dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Cottrell customer service or Meritor's OnTrac Performance Plus call center before scheduling, since Meritor is handling owner notice and repair for this axle-bearing recall.
- Reference recall number 11V594 when you call, and ask whether the Meritor axle bearing repair is open for your trailer.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, plus any axle or service records that show the trailer has Meritor axles with the FAG bearing system.
- Limit use until the bearing repair is complete, since prolonged use degrades bearing grease and raises the risk of bearing failure and wheel-end fire.
What happens at the repair
Cottrell identifies this as a supplier-handled remedy tied to Meritor axles with the FAG bearing system. Meritor is handling owner notification and the repair process for this campaign, and the work is free of charge once the remedy is available through the proper service path. The repair is tied to the affected axle bearing system, which Meritor identified in its related equipment recall. If your trailer is included, contact Meritor's OnTrac Performance Plus call center at 1-866-668-7221 so the repair path can be confirmed.
Timeline
| January 3, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V594?
Recall 11V594 covers 1,767 2006-2011 Cottrell trailers equipped with Meritor axles that contain the FAG brand bearing system. The bearing system has low durability life in these applications, and Meritor will perform the recall repairs for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 11V594. If it is, contact a franchised Cottrell dealer or Meritor's OnTrac Performance Plus Call Center at 1-866-668-7221. The axle bearing system repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect remedy at no cost, and Meritor is handling this campaign's owner notification and repair. Meritor will perform the axle bearing system repairs free of charge for included 2006-2011 Cottrell trailers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is bearing grease degradation during prolonged use, followed by bearing failure and a wheel-end fire. If your VIN is included, arrange the free repair before continued service and reference recall 11V594 when you contact the dealer or Meritor.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V594000 |
|---|---|
| Cottrell customer service | 1-866-668-7221 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V594 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V594000 |
Source documents
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 →