Recall 18V825 covers 102 2019 Great Dane Freedom trailers with rear impact guards that are too narrow. Free repair at any franchised Great Dane dealer.
Great Dane is recalling 102 2019 Freedom platform trailers because the rear impact guards are too narrow to meet the federal rear impact guard width standard. In a rear impact, the guards can fail to stop a vehicle from going under the trailer, increasing injury risk; Great Dane dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear impact guard on a 2019 Great Dane Freedom trailer is the horizontal structure mounted across the back of the trailer. Its job is to help keep a smaller vehicle from sliding under the trailer in a rear impact. For this recall, the guard also has to meet the width requirements in the rear impact guard standard.
On affected Freedom Combo Drop Deck platform trailers, the rear guard was built without the full-width horizontal member installed at the factory. That leaves the rear protection narrower than required for certification. Great Dane traced the issue to 102 trailers produced at its Huntsville, Tennessee facility, then changed the repair from add-on extensions to full replacement of the rear guard horizontal.
There is no warning sign before failure. The trailer can look normal in daily use, so the defect is the guard's installed dimensions, not a noise, light, or handling change.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Great Dane Freedom | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 102 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 102 field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Great Dane Freedom trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
When the rear impact guards are too narrow, they do not give following traffic the intended underride protection in a rear impact, increasing the risk of injury. Confirm whether your 2019 Freedom trailer is included and schedule the guard extension installation. Repair is free at any franchised Great Dane dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Great Dane Freedom is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Great Dane dealer to schedule the free rear impact guard extension installation that addresses the too-narrow rear impact guards.
- Reference recall number 18V825 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Great Dane sent one.
- Ask the dealer whether the trailer can remain in service before the repair; the issue involves rear impact guard width.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Great Dane technician installs rear impact guard extensions so the trailer's rear guard meets the required width. The recall repair is available, and the extensions, parts, and labor are free under campaign 18V825. If you already paid out of pocket for the same rear impact guard repair before the recall work, Great Dane's general reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Ask Great Dane customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit the repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 21, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 21, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 21, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 21, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 21, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 21, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V825?
Recall 18V825 covers 102 2019 Great Dane Freedom trailers with rear impact guards that are too narrow under FMVSS 223. In a rear impact, the guards can fail to keep another vehicle from going under the trailer, increasing injury risk. Great Dane dealers install guard extensions for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Great Dane Freedom is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V825. If it is, contact a Great Dane dealer to schedule installation of the rear impact guard extensions. Reference recall 18V825 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects and noncompliance issues at no cost. Great Dane dealers will install the rear impact guard extensions free of charge for trailers included in recall 18V825.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is underride protection that does not meet the required width. If another vehicle hits the rear of the trailer, the guard can fail to stop that vehicle from going underneath, increasing the risk of injury. Great Dane's free repair adds rear impact guard extensions.
What if I bought the trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2019 Great Dane Freedom is included, then call a Great Dane dealer and reference recall 18V825.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V825000 |
|---|---|
| Great Dane customer service | 1-877-369-3493 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V825 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V825000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →