Recall 16V740 affects 3,331 2008-2016 Morbark Beever wood chippers for side marker lights mounted too high. Repair is free at any franchised Morbark dealer.
Morbark is recalling 3,331 2008-2016 Beever wood chippers under recall 16V740 because the side marker lights are mounted too high to be easily seen. Incorrectly placed marker lights increase crash risk, and Morbark dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear side marker lights on 2008-2016 Morbark Beever wood chippers are exterior lamps mounted near the rear side of the machine. Their job is to mark the chipper's side position so other drivers can see its outline in low light or at night. The light itself is part of the visibility system covered by FMVSS 108.
On affected Beever chippers, the rear side marker lights were mounted too high. That placement puts the lamps outside the required location range, so they are harder for nearby traffic to see from the side. The problem came from the design placement, not from a burned-out bulb or a wiring failure. Morbark's repair moves the side marker lamps to a location that complies with FMVSS 108.
An owner will not notice a change in how the chipper runs or tows. There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is the lamp location itself, so the fix requires repositioning the lights.
Who's affected?
Covers the Beever across 9 model years, with exterior lighting listed for every included year.
| 2013 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2010 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2008 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Morbark Beever | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 3,331 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
The misplaced rear side marker lights make the Beever less visible from the side or rear, which increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, drive cautiously at night or in low visibility and arrange the lighting relocation soon. The repair relocates the lights to the correct position. Repair is free at any franchised Morbark dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2016 Morbark Beever wood chipper is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Morbark dealer to schedule the free rear side marker light relocation.
- Bring the recall notice if Morbark mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V740 when you call.
- Keep the marker lights clean and visible until the repair is complete.
- Call Morbark customer service at 1-517-866-2381 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Morbark technician relocates the rear side marker lights so they sit where they are easier to see and meet the lighting requirements for the chipper. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Morbark has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for related side marker light work before the recall notice, contact Morbark customer service or ask the service desk how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 14, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 28, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| November 28, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 12, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 9, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V740?
Recall 16V740 covers 3,331 2008-2016 Morbark Beever wood chippers with rear side marker lights mounted too high to be easily seen. The lighting placement does not meet FMVSS 108 and raises crash risk. Morbark dealers will relocate the rear side marker lights for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2016 Morbark Beever is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific wood chipper is included in recall 16V740. If it is, contact a Morbark dealer to schedule the rear side marker light relocation. Reference recall 16V740 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Morbark will relocate the rear side marker lights free of charge. Morbark also lists customer service at 1-517-866-2381 for recall questions.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced visibility from side marker lights mounted in the wrong location. If other drivers cannot easily see the rear side marker lights, crash risk increases. The fix is to have a Morbark dealer relocate the rear side marker lights for free.
What if I bought my Morbark Beever used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the wood chipper, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2008-2016 Morbark Beever is included, then contact a Morbark dealer and reference recall 16V740.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V740000 |
|---|---|
| Morbark customer service | 1-517-866-2381 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V740 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V740000 |
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 →