Recall 15V841 affects 63 2015-2016 Great Dane Reefer trailers for loose brake caliper bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Great Dane dealer.
Great Dane is recalling 63 2015-2016 Reefer semi trailers because caliper mounting bolts on certain Meritor and Bendix axles were not tightened enough and can back out. If a brake caliper detaches from the axle flange, braking performance is reduced and crash risk rises; Great Dane dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air disc brake caliper on a 2015-2016 Great Dane Reefer semi-trailer clamps the brake pads against the rotor when air pressure applies the brakes. On trailers with the affected Meritor EX225L2, EX225L+, or Bendix ADB22X axle assemblies, the caliper is bolted to a mounting flange on the axle. Those bolts hold the braking hardware in the correct position.
On affected trailers, the caliper mounting bolts were not tightened to the specified torque, meaning the required bolt tightness. Loose bolts can back out while the trailer is in service. If enough bolts loosen or disengage, the caliper can separate from the axle flange instead of staying fixed in place, leaving that brake assembly unable to work as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver or fleet technician should not count on noise, pedal feel, or a visible cue to appear before the caliper bolts loosen.
Who's affected?
Covers two Reefer model years with the same brake system component.
| 2016 Great Dane Reefer | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Great Dane Reefer | brake system |
| Units affected | 63 |
| 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?
A loose brake caliper can detach from the axle flange. If it detaches, braking performance is reduced and the crash risk rises. Do not ignore changes in braking or trailer handling. Park the trailer and call a franchised dealer for inspection. Repair is free at any franchised Great Dane dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Great Dane Reefer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Great Dane dealer to schedule the free caliper-bolt inspection and tightening that keeps the brake caliper secured to the axle flange.
- Bring the recall notice if Great Dane mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V841 when you call.
- Use caution until the repair is complete; reduced braking performance raises crash risk if a caliper detaches.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Great Dane technician inspects the brake caliper mounting bolts on the affected Meritor or Bendix axle assemblies. The technician tightens any caliper bolts that are not secured to specification, so the caliper stays attached to the axle flange. The recall repair is free, including the inspection and any tightening needed. Schedule the trailer with a Great Dane dealer and ask the service desk to reference campaign 15V841.
Timeline
| December 15, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 11, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V841?
Recall 15V841 covers 63 2015-2016 Great Dane Reefer semi trailers equipped with certain Meritor EX225L2, EX225L+, or Bendix ADB22X axles. The caliper mounting bolts were not properly tightened, which allows the caliper to detach from the axle flange and reduce braking performance. Great Dane dealers inspect and tighten the bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Great Dane Reefer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 15V841. If it is, contact a franchised Great Dane dealer to schedule the caliper bolt inspection. The dealer will tighten the bolts as needed, free of charge. Reference recall 15V841 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Great Dane dealers will inspect the caliper bolts and tighten them as needed free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost to the owner, and this recall repair is available now.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking performance. If the caliper detaches from the axle flange, the trailer loses braking effectiveness at that wheel end, increasing crash risk. Great Dane's free dealer repair addresses the loose caliper mounting bolts before they back out.
When did the Great Dane Reefer recall repair start?
The recall repair began on January 11, 2016. Great Dane dealers inspect the caliper bolts and tighten them as needed. If you did not receive an owner notice, check your VIN and call Great Dane customer service at 1-912-232-4471.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V841000 |
|---|---|
| Great Dane customer service | 1-912-232-4471 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V841 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V841000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - 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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →