Recall 17V048 affects 543 2014-2017 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer vehicles for cracked underride-guard welds. Repair is free at any franchised Walker dealer.
Walker is recalling 543 2014-2017 Food Grade Tank Trailer units under recall 17V048 because weld joints that attach the underride guard to the trailer frame can crack. If those welds fail, the guard can detach and create a road hazard, increasing crash risk; Walker dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear underride guard on a 2014-2017 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer is the metal barrier mounted under the back of the trailer frame. It is tied into the frame through welded joints, so the guard and bumper assembly stay in the correct position during normal service. That connection has to handle vibration from the tires and road surface.
On these trailers, the guard was mounted farther back than Walker's standard design. That geometry puts repeated tire vibration into the welds and joints that attach the guard to the frame. Over time, the metal near those attachment points can develop fatigue cracks. If the cracks keep growing, the underride guard can separate from the trailer frame.
The warning sign is visible cracking at the welds or at the joint where the underride guard attaches to the frame. Inspect the rear guard area closely, especially around the welded connection points.
Who's affected?
Spans model years 2014 through 2017, all tied to the same body structure component.
| 2016 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2014 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer | body structure |
| 2015 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer | body structure |
| 2017 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer | body structure |
| Units affected | 543 |
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?
Cracked underride guard welds can let the guard detach from the trailer frame. A detached guard becomes a road hazard and increases crash risk. Inspect the welds and the joint attaching the guard to the frame; visible cracks mean the trailer needs dealer attention before the next trip. Repair is free at any franchised Walker dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Walker dealer to schedule the free underride guard mounting modification that reinforces the weld joints attaching the guard to the trailer frame.
- Bring the recall notice if Walker mailed one, or reference recall number 17V048 when you call.
- Keep the trailer out of service if the underride guard looks loose or damaged.
- Call Walker customer service at 1-800-356-5734 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Walker technician modifies the underride guard mounting where the guard attaches to the trailer frame. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Walker's standard reimbursement plan is on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related underride guard mounting repair before the recall repair, bring documentation to the service desk so Walker can review the expense under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 20, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 8, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 20, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 20, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V048?
Recall 17V048 covers 543 2014-2017 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer units with weld joints that attach the underride guard to the trailer frame. Those welds can crack, allowing the guard to detach and become a road hazard. Walker dealers will modify the mounting for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Walker Food Grade Tank Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V048. If it is, contact a Walker dealer or Walker customer service at 1-800-356-5734 to schedule the underride guard mounting modification. Reference Walker recall W-6225,W-6279 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this safety defect at no cost. For recall 17V048, Walker dealers will modify the underride guard mounting free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that cracked welds can let the underride guard detach from the trailer frame. A detached underride guard can become a road hazard and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free Walker repair if your trailer is included.
When did the Walker recall repair begin?
Walker began the recall repair on February 8, 2017. The remedy is available now for included 2014-2017 Food Grade Tank Trailer units. Contact a Walker dealer or Walker customer service and reference recall 17V048 when scheduling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V048000 |
|---|---|
| Walker customer service | 1-800-356-5734 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V048 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V048000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →