Recall 19V195 affects 475 2008-2018 Mertz Custom Trailer units with plastic air-brake connectors. Mertz provides free metal brake-line connections for repair.
Mertz is recalling 475 2008-2018 Custom Trailer units because plastic junction connections were installed in the air brake circuits, which do not meet FMVSS 121. If a connector fails, the trailer can lose service braking or trigger emergency brakes unexpectedly, and either condition increases crash risk; Mertz dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The air brake circuit on a 2008-2018 Mertz Custom Trailer routes compressed air to the service brakes and parking brake. A tee fitting is a small junction in that circuit. Its job is to split or route air pressure while the brake system applies and releases the brakes.
On affected trailers, a black plastic tee was installed where the brake circuit called for a brass DOT-approved tee. The plastic fitting was stocked for non-air brake use, then mistakenly placed in some air brake circuits. That leaves an unapproved plastic connection in a system that depends on approved fittings to hold and route brake air pressure.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver is not given a clear dashboard alert, noise, or pedal change from the recall information before the wrong fitting becomes a brake-system problem.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2008-2018 Custom Trailer scope, with both the parking brake air system and service brake air system listed.
| 2015 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2008 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2008 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2009 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2009 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2010 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2010 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2014 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2014 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2016 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2016 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2017 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2017 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2011 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2011 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2012 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2012 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2013 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2013 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| 2018 Mertz Custom Trailer | Air |
| 2018 Mertz Custom Trailer | brake system |
| Units affected | 475 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
A failed plastic brake-line connector means service brakes are lost or emergency brakes activate unexpectedly, increasing crash risk. There is no listed warning sign before failure. If your trailer is included, schedule the repair soon and ask the dealer how to move it safely if the brakes act unexpectedly. Repair is free at any franchised Mertz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2018 Mertz Custom Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mertz dealer to schedule the free metal brake-line connector replacement that removes the plastic air-brake connections linked to service-brake loss and unexpected emergency-brake activation.
- Bring the recall notice if Mertz sent one. If not, reference recall number 19V195 when you call.
- Avoid hauling loads until the air-brake connector repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mertz technician replaces the plastic air brake line junction connections with metal brake line connections. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 19V195. Mertz has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair. Contact Mertz customer service with prior repair paperwork and payment documentation to ask how to submit a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 11, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 18, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| March 18, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 29, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 20, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V195?
Recall 19V195 covers 475 2008-2018 Mertz Custom Trailer units with plastic junction connections installed in the air brake circuits. Mertz will provide metal brake line connections to replace the plastic connections.
What should I do if my 2008-2018 Mertz Custom Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 19V195. If it is, contact Mertz customer service at 1-580-767-8404 and reference recall number M18-098. The fix replaces the plastic brake line connections with metal connections.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. For recall 19V195, Mertz provides the metal brake line connections needed to replace the plastic connections in the trailer air brake circuits.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of service brakes or unexpected emergency brake activation. Mertz says a failed plastic connector can create either condition, which increases crash risk. Confirm the VIN before using the trailer for work, towing, or hauling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V195000 |
|---|---|
| Mertz customer service | 1-580-767-8404 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V195 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V195000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →