Recall 13V079 affects 698 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer semi-trailers for bogie frame weld cracks. Free repair through Great Dane once available.
Great Dane is recalling 698 2011 Dry Freight Semi-Trailer units because welds at the bottom of the I-beam bogie frame were applied improperly. If those welds crack and fail, a hanger and axle can disengage from the bogie frame, which can cause loss of control and raise crash risk; the Great Dane dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The bogie frame on the 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer is the rear frame structure that carries the axle and suspension hardware under the trailer. Its I-beam section is a main support member, and the welds at the bottom of that frame are supposed to hold the hanger structure firmly to the trailer.
On affected trailers, those bottom welds were not applied correctly. A weak weld does not hold the joined metal with the strength the frame needs under loaded trailer movement, road vibration, and suspension force. As the weld cracks and fails, the hanger and axle can disengage from the frame.
There is no warning sign before failure. A trailer owner or service shop should treat visible cracking, broken welds, or loose suspension hardware near the bogie frame as a serious inspection finding.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailer | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 698 |
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 hanger and axle disengagement from the bogie frame can cause loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Schedule service soon and ask the dealer whether the trailer should stay parked until inspection. 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.
- Call Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493 to ask whether the bogie-frame weld remedy is open for your trailer.
- Reference recall number 13V079 when you call, and ask what repair location should inspect the I-beam bogie-frame welds.
- Keep the trailer out of service if you see cracking, hanger movement, or axle looseness before repair.
- Bring any Great Dane notice or repair paperwork to the service appointment so the recall repair can be matched to your trailer.
What happens at the repair
Great Dane says the final remedy for this recall was still under development, but the owner was notified on March 4, 2013, and repairs were already underway. Once the repair path is set, a Great Dane technician will correct the improperly applied welds at the bottom of the I-beam bogie frame, the area tied to hanger and axle disengagement. The dealer repair will be free once available. Owners can contact Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493 for repair status.
Timeline
| March 4, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V079?
Recall 13V079 covers 698 2011 Great Dane Dry Freight Semi-Trailers with lower I-beam bogie frame welds that were improperly applied. Cracked or failed welds can allow hanger and axle disengagement, creating loss-of-control and crash risk.
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 13V079. If it is, call Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493 or contact a Great Dane service location for repair instructions. Reference recall 13V079 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost to the owner. Great Dane's remedy notice said repairs were already underway after owner notification on March 4, 2013.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of control if the hanger and axle disengage from the bogie frame. The defect is tied to cracking and failure of welds at the bottom of the I-beam bogie frame.
What if I bought this trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then contact Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493 with recall 13V079 and your trailer details.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V079000 |
|---|---|
| Great Dane customer service | 1-877-369-3493 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V079 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V079000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →