Recall 15V601 covers 178 2006-2013 Merhow Horse Traielrs trailers for a Fastec door lock deadbolt jam risk. Fastec coordinates free cylinder inspection and replacement.
Merhow is recalling 178 2006-2013 Horse Traielrs equipped with Fastec-brand door locks because the key can be removed in a way that jams the deadbolt. If that happens, a person inside can be trapped and forced to use the emergency exit; the Merhow dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The door lock on 2006-2013 Merhow Horse Traielrs is the latch and deadbolt assembly that secures the entry door when the trailer is closed. The Fastec-brand lock is supposed to let the key turn the cylinder, move the deadbolt in or out, and release the key only after the lock is in a settled position.
On affected trailers, the key can be pulled out in a position that leaves the deadbolt mechanism out of alignment. When that happens, the deadbolt can jam instead of sliding cleanly. The problem is in the lock operation itself, not in the door frame or owner technique described in the recall.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lock can feel normal until the key is removed in the wrong position and the deadbolt jams, so treat any sticking or trapped deadbolt as part of the recall concern.
Who's affected?
Spans eight model years for the same Merhow Horse Traielrs trailer line, all tied to the latches/locks/linkages component.
| 2009 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
|---|---|
| 2011 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2006 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2007 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2008 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2010 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2012 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2013 Merhow Horse Traielrs | Latches/locks/linkages |
| Units affected | 178 |
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?
A jammed deadbolt can also jam the interior side of the trailer door lock. If someone is inside when it happens, that person can be trapped and forced to use the emergency exit, increasing injury risk. Have the lock inspected and repaired soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Merhow dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2013 Merhow Horse Traielrs is included in this recall.
- Watch for Merhow repair instructions if you have not received a notice, because the VIN decides whether this recall applies.
- Call Merhow customer service at 1-269-483-0010 and reference recall number 15V601 when you ask about the free Fastec lock-cylinder inspection and replacement.
- Keep the door lock in mind before anyone stays inside the trailer; the jammed deadbolt can trap a person inside and force use of the emergency exit.
- Bring any Merhow recall notice and lock information when service is arranged so Fastec can coordinate the inspection and replacement.
What happens at the repair
The known remedy is an inspection of the Fastec-brand door lock cylinders, followed by replacement of any cylinder that fails the inspection. Merhow has notified owners, and Fastec coordinates the inspection and cylinder replacement process. The repair is free under the recall. The available recall information does not list the final remedy status as open, so confirm the current repair path with Merhow customer service before arranging service. The dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| August 15, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| September 25, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V601?
Recall 15V601 covers 178 2006-2013 Merhow Horse Traielrs equipped with a Fastec-brand door lock. The key can be removed in a way that jams the deadbolt and traps a person inside, increasing injury risk. Fastec will coordinate inspection and cylinder replacement for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2013 Merhow Horse Traielrs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 15V601. If it is, contact a Merhow dealer or Merhow customer service at 1-269-483-0010 and ask how Fastec will inspect the lock cylinder and replace it if needed. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect remedy to be performed at no cost, and Merhow's recall remedy says Fastec will coordinate inspection and replacement of the lock cylinders as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is being locked inside the trailer. NHTSA campaign 15V601 says a jammed deadbolt can also jam the interior side of the door lock, leaving a person unable to exit without using the emergency exit and increasing injury risk.
What if I bought this Merhow Horse Traielrs used?
The recall still follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2006-2013 Merhow Horse Traielrs is included, then contact a Merhow dealer or Merhow customer service with recall number 15V601.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V601000 |
|---|---|
| Merhow customer service | 1-269-483-0010 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V601 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V601000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →