Recall 12V370 affects 1,767 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer vehicles with Meritor axle bearings that can fail and cause wheel-end fires. Repair is free.
Cottrell is recalling 1,767 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer models equipped with Meritor axles because the bearing system has shown low durability life in certain applications. Prolonged use can degrade the bearing grease, lead to bearing failure and a wheel end fire, and the Cottrell dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear non-powered axle on a 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer carries the trailer's weight and lets the wheel hubs roll behind the tow vehicle. Inside that axle, the bearing system supports the rotating wheel end. A healthy bearing keeps the wheel turning smoothly while holding the hub in the correct position.
On affected trailers equipped with a Meritor axle, the bearing system has lower durability than intended in certain trailer applications. That means the bearing wears out sooner than it was designed to. As wear builds, the wheel end loses the smooth support it needs, which puts extra stress on the axle and hub assembly.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on a change in how the trailer feels on the road to decide whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2006 through 2011 model years, with the same rear suspension component listed for each year.
| 2011 Cottrell Trailer | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2007 Cottrell Trailer | rear suspension |
| 2006 Cottrell Trailer | rear suspension |
| 2009 Cottrell Trailer | rear suspension |
| 2008 Cottrell Trailer | rear suspension |
| 2010 Cottrell Trailer | rear suspension |
| 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?
Prolonged use can degrade bearing grease, leading to bearing failure and a wheel end fire. If your 2006-2011 Trailer is included, schedule the recall repair and avoid extended service until Cottrell or the dealer confirms the axle work is complete. 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 or the Meritor OnTrac call center at 1-866-668-7221 to confirm repair instructions before using the trailer.
- Reference recall number 12V370 when you call, and mention that this recall supersedes campaign 11V-594.
- Schedule the free Meritor axle bearing repair that addresses bearing grease degradation and wheel-end fire risk.
- Bring any recall notice or prior repair paperwork, especially if the trailer was repaired under campaign 11V-594.
What happens at the repair
Cottrell and Meritor are identifying affected trailers and repairing the Meritor axle issue free of charge. At the service visit, a Cottrell technician confirms whether the trailer has one of the subject Meritor axles, then repairs the axle bearing system as directed by the recall. Trailers repaired under the earlier campaign still need the updated repair under this campaign. Repair coordination began on July 27, 2012. Parts and labor are covered under recall 12V370 once the repair is open for the specific trailer.
Timeline
| July 27, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V370?
Recall 12V370 covers 1,767 2006-2011 Cottrell Trailer units equipped with Meritor axles. The bearing system has shown low durability in these applications. Prolonged use can degrade bearing grease, leading to bearing failure and a wheel end fire. Repairs are 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 12V370. If it is, contact Cottrell or the Meritor OnTrac Performance Plus Call Center at 1-866-668-7221, option 5, to arrange the axle repair. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Cottrell is working with Meritor to identify and repair trailers with the affected axles free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is bearing failure that can lead to a wheel end fire. Cottrell reported that prolonged use in the affected applications can degrade the bearing grease, which can damage the bearing system. Confirm the VIN before putting the trailer back into regular service.
What if my Cottrell Trailer was repaired under recall 11V-594?
It still needs attention under recall 12V370. Cottrell stated that this campaign supersedes recall 11V-594, and trailers repaired under the earlier campaign also need to be repaired under this campaign. Check your VIN and reference recall 12V370 when arranging service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V370000 |
|---|---|
| Cottrell customer service | 1-866-668-7221 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V370 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V370000 |
Source documents
-
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 →