Recall 13V018 covers 654 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer vehicles for loose axle nut clips. Free inspection and repair at franchised Great Dane dealers.
Great Dane is recalling 654 2011 Dry Freight Semi-Trailer units because axle nut retaining clips were not properly seated. If a clip disengages, the wheel end develops excessive play or separates, which can cause loss of control and create a road hazard; the Great Dane dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The axle nut retaining clips on a 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer are small locking pieces at the wheel end of the axle. The axle nut holds the wheel hub in its correct position, and the clip keeps that nut from backing out while the trailer rolls under load.
On affected trailers, the retaining clips were not properly seated during assembly. If a clip disengages, the axle nut no longer has the lock it needs. That lets the wheel end develop excessive play, which means the hub has unwanted movement instead of staying tight on the axle. Continued movement can lead to wheel separation.
There is no warning sign before failure. Treat any unusual wheel-end movement, noise, or visible looseness as a reason to stop using the trailer and have the wheel end inspected.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer | suspension component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 654 |
Not every 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Wheel separation risks loss of control and increases the risk of a crash. A separated wheel also becomes a serious road hazard for other traffic. Schedule the inspection and clip correction when available. Repair will be free at any franchised Great Dane dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493 to confirm the current dealer repair path and reference recall number 13V018.
- Schedule the free axle-nut retaining-clip inspection and correction that fixes clips seated incorrectly before wheel end play or wheel separation occurs.
- Bring the recall notice if Great Dane mailed one, and give the dealer the trailer VIN when you schedule service.
- Avoid using the trailer if a wheel end feels loose or shows abnormal play before inspection.
What happens at the repair
Great Dane's filing says owner notification began on February 12, 2013. Once the dealer repair is available, a Great Dane technician inspects the axle nut retaining clips and corrects their installation as necessary. The work is done free of charge under the recall. The inspection focuses on whether the clips are properly seated so the axle nut stays retained and the wheel end does not develop excess play or separate from the trailer.
Timeline
| January 22, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 12, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V018?
Recall 13V018 covers 654 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailers with axle nut retaining clips that were not properly seated. If the clips disengage, the trailer can develop excessive wheel end play or wheel separation, increasing crash risk and creating a road hazard.
What should I do if my 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 13V018. If it is, contact a Great Dane dealer or Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493 to schedule the axle nut retaining clip inspection and correction. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Great Dane's recall remedy says dealers will inspect the axle nut retaining clips and correct their installation as necessary, free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel separation. A separated wheel can cause loss of control and increase crash risk. It can also become a significant road hazard for nearby drivers. The dealer inspection checks whether the axle nut retaining clips are seated correctly.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V018000 |
|---|---|
| Great Dane customer service | 1-877-369-3493 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V018 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V018000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →