Recall 16V297 covers 57 2015 Quality Wedge Car Hauler and Equipment Flatbed Trailer models for loose axle hanger nuts. Replacement Nylock nuts are free.
Quality is recalling 57 2015 Wedge Car Hauler and Equipment Flatbed Trailer units under recall 16V297 because lock nuts securing the axle hanger to the springs were not properly crimped. Loose nuts can let bolts loosen, allowing the axle to shift or detach from the trailer and increasing crash risk; Quality dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On the 2015 Quality Wedge Car Hauler and Equipment Flatbed Trailer, the axle hanger is the bracket that ties the axle and spring assembly to the trailer frame. The lock nut is supposed to hold that bolted connection tight while the trailer carries load and moves over the road. A nylon insert inside the lock nut helps keep the nut from backing off.
On affected trailers, the lock nuts were not crimped correctly. That crimp is the squeeze that helps the nut grip the bolt and stay tight. Without enough crimp, the nut can loosen, detach during operation, and leave the axle hanger connection unsecured.
There is no warning sign before failure. The trailer can look normal until a nut has already loosened or fallen off, so owners should treat this as a hardware defect, not a noise or handling problem they can reliably spot first.
Who's affected?
Both trailer types are tied to the same rear suspension component.
| 2015 Quality Wedge Car Hauler | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2015 Quality Equipment Flatbed Trailer | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 57 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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?
Missing axle nuts let the bolts loosen. When that happens, the axle can shift or detach from the trailer, which increases crash risk. Check the axle hardware before towing, and avoid towing with loose or missing nuts. Repair is free at any franchised Quality dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Quality Wedge Car Hauler or Equipment Flatbed Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Quality customer service at 1-336-859-2501 to request the free Nylock replacement nuts.
- Schedule the nut replacement so the axle-hanger nuts are secured to the springs and the axle cannot loosen from the trailer.
- Bring the recall notice if Quality mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V297 when you call.
- Avoid hauling loads until the replacement nuts are installed.
What happens at the repair
Quality's remedy is already available. Quality provides owners with new Nylock replacement nuts and instructions for replacing the nuts that secure the axle hanger to the trailer springs. The replacement nuts are free, and the repair path is tied to the mailed parts kit rather than a separate dealer visit. The reimbursement program is part of that kit: Quality ships a labor reimbursement check with the replacement nuts. If you already arranged related labor, keep the paperwork and ask Quality customer service how that labor reimbursement applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 13, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| May 26, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 13, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V297?
Recall 16V297 covers 57 2015 Quality Wedge Car Hauler and Equipment Flatbed Trailer units with axle-hanger lock nuts that were not properly crimped. If the nuts fall off, the bolts can loosen and the axle can shift or detach from the trailer, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2015 Quality Wedge Car Hauler or Equipment Flatbed Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V297. If it is, contact Quality customer service at 1-336-859-2501 and ask for the free Nylock replacement nuts for the axle-hanger spring hardware.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Quality provides the Nylock replacement nuts free of charge for trailers included in recall 16V297. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost to the owner.
Is it safe to tow my Quality trailer before the repair?
Use caution until your VIN and axle-hanger hardware are checked. The recall problem involves lock nuts that can loosen, which can let the axle shift or detach from the trailer and increase crash risk. If your trailer is included, get the free replacement nuts before regular towing.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V297000 |
|---|---|
| Quality customer service | 1-336-859-2501 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V297 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V297000 |
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 →