Recall 13V351 affects 269 2012-2013 Kaufman trailers with square-plate kingpins that can crack and detach. Kaufman ships replacement kingpins free to owners.
Kaufman is recalling 269 2012-2013 Trailer units because kingpins attached to square bottom plates can crack over time and let the kingpin button separate. If that happens, the trailer can detach from the towing vehicle and raise the risk of a crash; the dealer repair will be free once Kaufman makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The kingpin is the locking pin at the front of a gooseneck auto transport or equipment trailer. On 2012-2013 Kaufman Trailer models, it connects the trailer to the tow vehicle's hitch and carries the pulling load through a square bottom plate. That plate is the metal base that holds the kingpin in position.
On affected trailers, the kingpin is attached to a square bottom plate that cracks as the trailer is used. Once a crack grows, the button on the kingpin assembly can separate from the bottom plate. That separation means the hitch hardware no longer holds its shape or load path the way it was built to, so the connection between trailer and tow vehicle is no longer secure.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not count on noise, looseness, or visible movement before the part separates.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2012 and 2013 model years, with the trailer-hitch component listed for each.
| 2012 Kaufman Trailer | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| 2013 Kaufman Trailer | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 269 |
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?
If the kingpin button separates, the trailer can detach from the towing vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. Inspect the trailer for a kingpin with a square bottom plate before towing, then contact Kaufman about the replacement part. Repair will be free at any franchised Kaufman dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Kaufman Trailer is included in this recall.
- Review the Kaufman owner letter mailed August 16, 2013, for the kingpin inspection instructions.
- Inspect the trailer for a kingpin with a square bottom plate before towing.
- Contact Kaufman at 1-336-790-6800 if your trailer has the square-bottom-plate kingpin, and reference recall number 13V351.
- Replace the cracking-prone square-bottom-plate kingpin with the free replacement kingpin Kaufman ships for affected trailers.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the kingpin inspection is complete and any needed replacement is installed.
What happens at the repair
Kaufman's remedy begins with an inspection for kingpins that have square bottom plates. Owners were instructed to check the trailer and identify whether the affected kingpin style is installed. For included trailers, Kaufman ships replacement kingpins free of charge. Once the final repair path is open for your trailer, the covered kingpin replacement is free under the recall. Ask Kaufman or the service location handling the trailer how the replacement part should be installed and whether the trailer should be moved before the cracked or incorrect kingpin is replaced.
Timeline
| August 7, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V351?
Recall 13V351 covers 269 2012-2013 Kaufman Trailer gooseneck auto transport and equipment trailers with kingpins attached to square bottom plates that can crack over time. If the kingpin button separates, the trailer can detach from the towing vehicle. Kaufman ships replacement kingpins free of charge.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Kaufman Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 13V351. If it is, inspect the kingpin for a square bottom plate, then call Kaufman at 1-336-790-6800 for the free replacement kingpin and installation guidance.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost. For recall 13V351, Kaufman ships replacement kingpins to owners of included trailers free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer separation while towing. If the kingpin button separates from the bottom plate, the trailer can detach from the towing vehicle and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, inspect the kingpin style, and arrange the free replacement through Kaufman.
When did Kaufman start this recall?
Kaufman began the recall on August 16, 2013. Owners of included trailers were instructed to inspect for kingpins with square bottom plates and contact Kaufman for replacement kingpins free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V351000 |
|---|---|
| Kaufman customer service | 1-336-790-6800 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V351 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V351000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →