Recall 12V201 affects 153 2006-2012 Featherlite trailers with Meritor axles that can lose bearing grease and cause wheel-end fire. Repair is free.
Featherlite is recalling 153 2006-2012 trailers, including models 8261 and 8270, equipped with Meritor axles because the bearing system has shown low durability in certain applications. Prolonged use can degrade bearing grease, lead to bearing failure, and start a wheel-end fire; the Featherlite dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear non-powered axle assembly on these 2006-2012 Featherlite trailers carries the trailer load and lets the wheels turn without engine power. The Meritor axle uses a bearing system at the wheel hub. Those bearings let the hub rotate smoothly around the axle spindle while keeping the wheel aligned under load.
On affected Featherlite trailers, the bearing system has shown low durability life in certain vehicle applications. That means the bearings wear out earlier than designed. As the bearing wears, it loses the smooth, tight support the hub needs, which puts extra stress on the wheel-end parts.
There is no warning sign before failure. Treat unusual wheel-end heat, grinding, wobble, or looseness as a reason to stop using the trailer and have the axle inspected, but this recall record does not identify a reliable early symptom.
Who's affected?
Spans 10 Featherlite trailer models across 7 model years, all involving the rear suspension.
| 2008 Featherlite 8261 | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2012 Featherlite 8270 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Featherlite 1076 | rear suspension |
| 2007 Featherlite 4941 | rear suspension |
| 2008 Featherlite 8270 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Featherlite 8261 | rear suspension |
| 2006 Featherlite 1075 | rear suspension |
| 2007 Featherlite 1075 | rear suspension |
| 2008 Featherlite 8191 | rear suspension |
| 2011 Featherlite Trailer | rear suspension |
| 2008 Featherlite 8260 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Featherlite 8270 | rear suspension |
| 2010 Featherlite 4941 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Featherlite 8581 | rear suspension |
| 2008 Featherlite 1075 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Featherlite 1075 | rear suspension |
| 2011 Featherlite 1076 | rear suspension |
| 2007 Featherlite 4940 | rear suspension |
| 2010 Featherlite 1076 | rear suspension |
| 2011 Featherlite 1075 | rear suspension |
| 2010 Featherlite 1075 | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 153 |
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?
Prolonged use can degrade bearing grease. If the bearing fails, the wheel end can catch fire, creating a fire risk while the trailer is in use. No warning sign is listed for owners, so schedule the repair soon and avoid extended use until the trailer is checked. Repair will be free at any franchised Featherlite dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2012 Featherlite trailer, including model 8261, 8270, 1076, 4941, 1075, 8191, Trailer, 8260, 8581, or 4940, is included in this recall.
- Wait for Featherlite's owner notice before scheduling if you have not received it; notices were mailed on May 24, 2012.
- Call Featherlite at 1-563-547-6000 with questions and reference recall number 12V201 when you call.
- Ask Featherlite about the free Meritor axle bearing repair that fixes the low-durability bearing system tied to wheel end fire risk.
- Arrange service again if the trailer was repaired under campaign 11V-396, because this recall supersedes that campaign.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Featherlite technician works with Meritor to identify trailers that contain the recalled axles, then performs the axle repair at no charge. The filed remedy says Featherlite began this recall work on May 24, 2012, and that trailers repaired under campaign 11V-396 still need the newer campaign repair. Parts and labor are covered under recall 12V201 once the repair is open for the trailer's VIN.
Timeline
| May 8, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 24, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V201?
Recall 12V201 covers 153 2006-2012 Featherlite trailers equipped with a Meritor axle. The bearing system has low durability in these trailer applications, which can degrade bearing grease and lead to bearing failure and a wheel-end fire. Featherlite and Meritor will identify and repair affected trailers for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2012 Featherlite trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V201. If it is, contact Featherlite at 1-563-547-6000 or a franchised Featherlite dealer for repair instructions. Reference recall number 12V201 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Featherlite and Meritor will identify and repair the affected Meritor axle assemblies free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost to the owner, including parts and labor tied to the defect.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is bearing failure that leads to a wheel-end fire. The problem starts with low bearing-system durability in these trailer applications, which degrades the bearing grease during prolonged use. If your VIN is included, arrange the free axle-related repair before continued use.
What if I bought this Featherlite trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2006-2012 Featherlite trailer is included, then contact Featherlite or a franchised Featherlite dealer with recall number 12V201.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V201000 |
|---|---|
| Featherlite customer service | 1-563-547-6000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V201 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V201000 |
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 →