Recall 16V612 affects 813 2013-2016 Morbark Beever wood-chipper trailers because rear lights sit too high. Repair is free at any franchised Morbark dealer.
Morbark is recalling 813 2013-2016 Beever wood-chipper trailers because the stop lights and tail lights sit too high for other drivers to see easily. Rear lights that are hard to see increase crash risk, and Morbark dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The stop lights and tail lights on 2013-2016 Morbark Beever wood-chipper trailers are supposed to make the trailer visible from behind. The tail lights show the trailer's position in low light, and the stop lights tell a following driver when the tow vehicle and trailer are braking.
On the Beever M15R and Beever M20R trailers in this recall, those lights were mounted too high. The design did not account for the FMVSS 108 height limits for stop lamps and tail lamps. Because of that placement, a driver behind the trailer has a harder time seeing the braking or tail-light signal.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lights still turn on, so the issue is not a burned-out bulb or a switch problem. The problem is where the lamps sit on the trailer, which is why the repair moves them to an appropriate height.
Who's affected?
All listed Beever model years point to the same exterior lighting component.
| 2014 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2013 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 813 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
Rear lights that are hard to see make it harder for drivers behind you to judge the Morbark Beever's position, braking, and turns, which increases the risk of a crash. Use extra care around traffic and schedule the light repositioning repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Morbark dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Morbark Beever is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Morbark dealer to schedule the free light-repositioning kit that moves the stop lights and tail lights into clearer view.
- Bring the recall notice if Morbark mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V612 when you call.
- Use extra caution when towing until the repair is complete, since rear traffic has to see the stop lights and tail lights.
- Call Morbark customer service at 1-517-866-2381 if the dealer cannot confirm parts or scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Morbark technician installs the recall kit that repositions the stop lights and tail lights so they are easier for traffic behind the trailer to see. The recall repair is available now, and the kit installation is free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under campaign 16V612. Ask the service desk to confirm that the light relocation kit is in stock before you bring in the trailer.
Timeline
| August 23, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 10, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| October 10, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 11, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 4, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V612?
Recall 16V612 covers 813 2013-2016 Morbark Beever wood-chipper trailers with stop lights and tail lights mounted too high to be easily seen. Rear lights that are hard for following drivers to see increase crash risk, and Morbark dealers will install a light-repositioning kit for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Morbark Beever is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V612. If it is, contact a franchised Morbark dealer to schedule the free light-repositioning kit installation. Reference recall number 16V612 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Morbark dealers will install the kit that repositions the stop lights and tail lights free of charge.
Is it safe to use my Morbark Beever before the repair?
The official risk is reduced rear-light visibility, which increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free repair before regular use. Until the kit is installed, make sure the trailer lights are working and use extra care where following traffic depends on seeing your brake and tail lights.
What if I bought my Morbark Beever used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Beever is included, then contact a Morbark dealer or Morbark customer service at 1-517-866-2381 for scheduling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V612000 |
|---|---|
| Morbark customer service | 1-517-866-2381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V612 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V612000 |
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 →