Recall 12V150 affects 25 2008-2011 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper trailers for rear-bumper placement. Repair is free at any franchised Merritt Commodity Trailer dealer.
Merritt Commodity Trailer is recalling 25 2008-2011 38' Grain Hopper trailers because the conveyor belt extends into the rear impact zone behind the back wheels and does not meet rear impact protection requirements. In a rear impact, a following vehicle can strike the conveyor before the bumper, increasing the risk of serious injury or death; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The conveyor belt on 2008-2011 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper trailers is part of the equipment used to move grain out of the hopper. On a compliant trailer, equipment at the back must stay clear of the rear impact protection area so the trailer's rear guard can do its job in a rear crash.
On these trailers, the conveyor belt extends out of the rear of the trailer into the rear impact zone behind the back wheels. That placement means the trailer does not meet the required rear impact protection standard. The issue is not wear, a broken belt, or a driver-caused problem; it is how the equipment is positioned on the affected trailers.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is unlikely to notice a change in how the trailer loads, unloads, or tows because the concern is the belt's location in the rear impact zone, not a moving-part symptom.
Who's affected?
Covers consecutive model years from 2008 through 2011 for the same trailer equipment.
| 2009 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2010 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper | Equipment |
| 2008 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper | Equipment |
| 2011 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper | Equipment |
| Units affected | 25 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
A rear impact creates the risk that the following vehicle hits the conveyor before the trailer bumper, increasing the chance of serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, arrange the bumper placement correction promptly and ask the dealer how to move the trailer safely. Repair will be free at any franchised Merritt Commodity Trailer dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2011 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice Merritt Commodity Trailer sent for recall number 12V150 before scheduling service.
- Contact a franchised Merritt Commodity Trailer dealer to ask about the free rear-bumper placement correction.
- Bring the recall notice to the dealer, or reference recall number 12V150 when you call.
- Avoid hauling until the dealer confirms the rear bumper protects the trailer's rear impact zone as required.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Merritt Commodity Trailer technician checks the rear bumper placement and corrects it as needed so the trailer meets rear impact protection requirements. The filing says the safety recall began on May 1, 2012, and the remedy is performed free of charge. If your VIN is included, ask the service desk to confirm the bumper correction listed for recall 12V150 and whether any related inspection is needed before the trailer returns to service.
Timeline
| April 6, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V150?
Recall 12V150 covers 25 2008-2011 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper trailers with conveyor belts that extend into the rear impact zone and do not meet rear impact protection requirements. Dealers will correct the rear bumper placement for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2011 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V150. If it is, contact a franchised Merritt Commodity Trailer dealer and ask for the rear bumper placement correction. Reference recall number 12V150 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and the remedy for recall 12V150 says dealers will correct the rear bumper placement free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included trailers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is serious injury or death in a rear impact. NHTSA campaign 12V150 says a following vehicle can strike the conveyor before striking the trailer bumper, reducing the trailer's rear impact protection. The dealer repair corrects the rear bumper placement.
When did the recall repair start?
The safety recall began on May 1, 2012. That date is in the past, so owners of included 2008-2011 Merritt Commodity Trailer 38' Grain Hopper trailers should contact a franchised dealer about the free rear bumper placement correction.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V150000 |
|---|---|
| Merritt Commodity Trailer customer service | 1-515-270-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V150 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V150000 |
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 →