Recall 18V501 affects 7 2018 Towblazer Heritage motorcycle tow-behind trailers for poor axle-spindle welds. Repair is free at any franchised Towblazer dealer.
Towblazer is recalling 7 2018 Heritage motorcycle tow-behind trailers because an axle spindle with a poor weld can break and let a wheel detach. If a wheel falls off, crash risk rises; the Towblazer dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The axle spindle on a 2018 Towblazer Heritage motorcycle tow-behind trailer is the stub shaft at the end of the axle that carries the wheel hub. It supports the trailer's weight at that wheel and gives the hub a straight, fixed surface to rotate around while the trailer follows the motorcycle.
On affected trailers, the spindle weld was made with too little weld penetration and too little weld size. In plain terms, the weld did not bite deeply enough into the metal or leave enough welded material around the joint. During use, that weak joint can crack until the spindle breaks. If the spindle breaks, the wheel detaches from the trailer.
There is no warning sign before failure. The trailer can look normal until the spindle lets go, so an owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a reliable early symptom.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Towblazer Heritage | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
A wheel that falls off raises the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, avoid extra trips and arrange service soon. Towblazer dealers correct the weld or replace the chassis with a correctly welded spindle. Repair is free at any franchised Towblazer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Towblazer Heritage trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Towblazer dealer to schedule the free spindle-weld correction or chassis replacement that fixes the poor weld that can let the wheel detach.
- Bring the recall notice if Towblazer mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V501 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the weld correction or chassis replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Towblazer technician corrects the axle spindle weld on the trailer. If the spindle cannot be welded correctly, the dealer replaces the chassis with one that has a correctly welded spindle. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you already paid to have the additional weld applied, contact Towblazer customer service about reimbursement under the recall. Keep any repair paperwork you have so the service team can connect the prior work to this campaign.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 10, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| July 30, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V501?
Recall 18V501 covers 7 2018 Towblazer Heritage motorcycle tow-behind trailers with axle spindles that have a poor weld. The spindle can break and let a wheel detach, which increases crash risk. Towblazer dealers will correct the weld or replace the chassis for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Towblazer Heritage is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V501. If it is, contact a Towblazer dealer or Towblazer customer service at 1-864-501-4559 to arrange the axle-spindle weld correction or chassis replacement. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Towblazer dealers will correct the weld or replace the chassis with a correctly welded spindle free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel detachment. A poor weld on the axle spindle can let the spindle break, which can cause the wheel to fall off the trailer and increase the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V501000 |
|---|---|
| Towblazer customer service | 1-864-501-4559 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V501 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V501000 |
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 →