Recall 17V735 covers 2 2017 Heil Cargo Tank trailers for loose brake caliper bolts. Inspection and needed bolt replacement are reimbursed by Meritor.
Heil is recalling 2 2017 Cargo Tank trailers equipped with MPA/MTA suspensions and Meritor EX225 brakes because brake caliper bolts that are not properly torqued can let a caliper detach from its mounting flange. Loss of braking ability increases crash risk, and Heil dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The 2017 Heil Cargo Tank trailers in this recall use air disc brakes with Meritor EX225 brake calipers on MPA/MTA suspension axle assemblies. A brake caliper holds the brake pads and squeezes them against the disc when air pressure commands the brakes. The caliper has to stay firmly bolted to its mounting flange for that braking force to reach the wheel.
On affected trailers, the caliper bolts on replacement axle assemblies were not tightened to the required torque during assembly at the Meritor facility in Frankfort. If those bolts loosen, the caliper can move out of position and detach from the mounting flange. Once that happens, the brake at that wheel cannot clamp the disc the way it was designed to.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on noise, vibration, or a dashboard alert to tell you the caliper bolts are loose.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Heil Cargo Tank | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2017 Heil Cargo Tank | brake system |
| Units affected | 2 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Heil Cargo Tank trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improperly torqued caliper bolts can allow the brake caliper to detach from its mounting flange. If that happens, braking ability is lost and crash risk increases. Schedule the inspection soon and keep the vehicle out of regular service until the bolts are checked. Repair is free at any franchised Heil dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Heil Cargo Tank is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Heil dealer to schedule the free brake-caliper bolt inspection and replacement of any loose or missing bolts.
- Bring the recall notice if Heil has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V735 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra stopping distance because a detached brake caliper reduces braking ability.
- Call Heil customer service at 1-800-882-7640 with questions about scheduling or fleet reimbursement.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Heil technician inspects the Meritor brake caliper bolts on the affected suspension and replaces any bolt that is loose or missing. The inspection and needed bolt replacement are covered under the recall, with reimbursement handled by Meritor. If you already paid for the same inspection or bolt repair, ask Heil customer service or the Meritor call center about the general reimbursement plan and bring repair documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 3, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| November 20, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
| January 1, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 1, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V735?
Recall 17V735 covers 2 2017 Heil Cargo Tank trailers with MPA/MTA suspensions and Meritor EX225 brakes. The brake caliper bolts were not properly torqued, allowing the caliper to detach from the mounting flange and reduce braking ability.
What should I do if my 2017 Heil Cargo Tank is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V735. If it is, contact a franchised Heil service location or customer service at 1-800-882-7640. Ask for the brake caliper bolt inspection and any needed bolt replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Meritor reimburses fleets for inspecting the caliper bolts and replacing any loose or missing bolts. Reference recall 17V735 when you arrange service.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking ability. If the brake caliper bolts are improperly torqued and the caliper detaches from the mounting flange, braking ability is lost at that wheel position, increasing crash risk.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began on October 3, 2017. Owners were notified, and the repair path is an inspection of the brake caliper bolts with replacement of any loose or missing bolts.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V735000 |
|---|---|
| Heil customer service | 1-800-882-7640 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V735 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V735000 |
Source documents
-
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 →