Recall 13V204 affects 380 2013-2014 John Evans Rmfd Chassis/Trailer and Chassis/Trailer units for under-torqued lug nuts. Repair is free at a John Evans dealer.
John Evans is recalling 380 2013-2014 Rmfd Chassis/Trailer and Chassis/Trailer units because affected wheel lug nuts have insufficient torque. That can let a wheel separate from the chassis or trailer and increase crash risk; the John Evans dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheel lug nuts on 2013-2014 John Evans Rmfd Chassis/Trailer and Chassis/Trailer products hold each wheel tight against the hub. They are tightened to a specified torque so the wheel stays clamped in place while the chassis or trailer carries load, turns, and brakes. That clamping force is what keeps the wheel centered and secure.
This recall concerns lug nuts that were not properly torqued on products built from September 5, 2012, through April 19, 2013. If a lug nut is under-tightened, vibration and load cycles let it loosen further. Once enough clamp force is lost, the wheel hardware no longer holds the wheel as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. A loose wheel is not something an owner can reliably detect from the driver's seat before the hardware gives way.
Who's affected?
Covers Chassis/Trailer and Rmfd Chassis/Trailer products from the 2013 and 2014 model years, all tied to wheel fasteners.
| 2014 John Evans Rmfd Chassis/Trailer | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
|---|---|
| 2013 Cheetah Chassis/Trailer | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2013 John Evans Chassis/Trailer | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2014 Cheetah Chassis/Trailer | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2013 John Evans Rmfd Chassis/Trailer | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| 2014 John Evans Chassis/Trailer | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| Units affected | 380 |
The year, make, 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?
Insufficient lug nut torque can let wheels separate from the chassis or trailer. That raises crash risk, especially while the trailer is being towed. Schedule the inspection soon so the lug nuts can be checked and torqued correctly. Repair will be free at any franchised John Evans dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 John Evans Rmfd Chassis/Trailer or Chassis/Trailer is included in this recall.
- Call John Evans customer service at 1-803-436-3102 for current service instructions before moving the trailer.
- Reference recall number 13V204 when you call or speak with a dealer.
- Arrange the free inspection and lug-nut re-torque that corrects the loose wheel-lug condition.
- Avoid towing or loading the trailer until the lug nuts have been inspected and re-torqued.
What happens at the repair
The record says John Evans will notify owners and dealers will inspect each trailer. Once the dealer remedy is available, a John Evans technician will inspect the wheels and re-torque the affected lug nuts so they are tightened to the required specification. The affected trailers are repaired free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. Call John Evans customer service at 1-803-436-3102 if the service desk needs help matching the trailer to recall 13V204.
Timeline
| May 15, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V204?
Recall 13V204 covers 380 2013-2014 John Evans chassis, remanufactured chassis, and trailers with wheel lug nuts that were not properly torqued. Insufficient lug-nut torque can let a wheel separate from the chassis or trailer, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 John Evans Chassis/Trailer or Rmfd Chassis/Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis or trailer is included in recall 13V204. If it is, contact a John Evans dealer or John Evans customer service at 1-803-436-3102 to arrange the inspection and lug-nut re-torque.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The recall remedy is free. John Evans dealers will inspect the affected trailer and re-torque the lug nuts at no charge, so owners do not pay for the recall inspection or corrective work tied to recall 13V204.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel separation. If the lug nuts do not have enough torque, a wheel can separate from the chassis or trailer while in use, increasing crash risk. Confirm whether your VIN is included, then arrange the free lug-nut inspection and re-torque.
What if I bought this John Evans chassis or trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the specific VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013-2014 John Evans chassis or trailer is included, then reference recall 13V204 when you contact the dealer or customer service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V204000 |
|---|---|
| John Evans customer service | 1-803-436-3102 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V204 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V204000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →