Recall 15V023 affects 7,702 2015 Great Dane Reefer and Van trailers for defective parking brake actuators. Repair is free at any franchised Great Dane dealer.
Great Dane is recalling 7,702 2015 Reefer and Van trailers because certain Haldex Life Seal air brake actuators have an internal diaphragm attachment defect. The defect can trap air in the parking brake section, cause brake drag and overheated wheelend service brakes, and raise the risk of a fire; Great Dane dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The brake actuator on the 2015 Great Dane Reefer and Van trailers is the air-brake chamber that turns air pressure and spring force into brake movement. The Type 30/30 long-stroke actuator has a service-brake side for normal stopping and a parking-brake side that holds the trailer when it is parked. Inside that parking-brake section, a rubber diaphragm helps transfer force to the actuation mechanism.
On affected trailers, the internal rubber diaphragm was not fully attached to that mechanism during actuator manufacture. That incomplete attachment means the parking-brake side of the actuator is not working as designed. When the diaphragm does not stay connected, the actuator cannot reliably pass force through the parking-brake section, so the parking brake function is compromised.
There is no warning sign before failure. A trailer can look normal from the outside, and the issue is inside the sealed brake actuator.
Who's affected?
Covers the Reefer and Van trailer models from the 2015 model year, both tied to the parking brake actuator.
| 2015 Great Dane Reefer | Actuator |
|---|---|
| 2015 Great Dane Van | Actuator |
| Units affected | 7,702 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
An incompletely attached diaphragm can let air leak inside the brake actuator and trap pressure in the parking brake section. If that pressure does not vent, the actuator can fail to release fully, causing brake drag and overheated wheelend service brakes. That increases the risk of a fire. Schedule the inspection and repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Great Dane dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Great Dane Reefer or Van trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Great Dane dealer to schedule the free brake-actuator inspection and needed replacement that fixes the parking-brake actuator diaphragm issue.
- Bring the recall notice from Great Dane, or reference recall number 15V023 when you call.
- Watch for brake drag, overheating, or brake smoke, and stop using the trailer until a Great Dane dealer inspects it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Great Dane technician inspects the Haldex Life Seal brake actuator and replaces the actuator if the inspection shows it is affected. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 15V023. Great Dane uses its general reimbursement plan for owners who already paid for this repair before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the service desk, or contact Great Dane customer service for the reimbursement process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 22, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 2, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V023?
Recall 15V023 covers 7,702 2015 Great Dane Reefer and Van trailers equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators. An internal diaphragm attachment defect can trap air in the parking brake section, cause brake drag, overheat wheel-end service brakes, and increase fire risk.
What should I do if my 2015 Great Dane Reefer or Van is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 15V023. If it is, contact a franchised Great Dane dealer to schedule the brake actuator inspection. The dealer will replace the actuator if needed, free of charge. Reference recall number 15V023 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Great Dane dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace it if needed free of charge. Owners can also contact Great Dane customer service at 1-912-232-4471.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is brake drag that overheats the wheel-end service brakes and increases fire risk. The defect involves air trapped in the parking brake section of the actuator. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and replacement if needed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V023000 |
|---|---|
| Great Dane customer service | 1-912-232-4471 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V023 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V023000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →