Recall 19V302 affects 123 2017-2019 Fontaine Traverse Ht trailers for hydraulic retaining pins that can disconnect. Repair is free at any franchised Fontaine dealer.
Fontaine is recalling 123 2017-2019 Traverse Ht trailers because the hydraulic cylinder retaining pin for the main tail can disconnect unexpectedly. If the pin comes loose, it can become a road hazard or let the cylinder drop and strike the road, which can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk; Fontaine dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic cylinder retaining pin on 2017-2019 Fontaine Traverse Ht trailers holds the main tail cylinder in place. That cylinder moves the hydraulic tail, so the pin has to stay seated while the tail cycles up and down. A snap ring is supposed to sit in a groove at the end of the pin and keep it from sliding out.
On affected trailers, the holes in the cylinder lugs are oversized from the plasma cutting process. The loose fit lets the pin shift during use. As the pin moves, the snap ring can bind and fall off. With the snap ring gone, the retaining pin can walk out and the hydraulic cylinder can disconnect from the main tail.
The warning sign is visible pin movement or poor pin engagement during inspection. Look at the pin and snap ring area before using the tail, and treat any pin that is no longer fully seated as a defect that needs repair.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years, all tied to the same equipment component.
| 2018 Fontaine Traverse Ht | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2019 Fontaine Traverse Ht | Equipment |
| 2017 Fontaine Traverse Ht | Equipment |
| Units affected | 123 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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 disconnected hydraulic cylinder retaining pin can fall into the road as a hazard. The hydraulic cylinder can also drop, strike the road, and lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk. Have the pin engagement inspected and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Fontaine dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Fontaine Traverse Ht trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Fontaine dealer to schedule the free retaining-pin snap-ring replacement with cotter pins, which keeps the main-tail hydraulic cylinder secured to the trailer.
- Bring the recall notice if Fontaine mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V302 when you call.
- Keep the trailer out of service if the main tail or hydraulic cylinder feels loose, and ask the dealer about transport before moving it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Fontaine technician replaces the hydraulic cylinder retaining pin snap rings with cotter pins. The repair is free, and parts and labor are covered under recall 19V302. This repair secures the main tail retaining pin so it stays connected to the trailer. Fontaine has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair before the recall notice. Keep repair invoices and payment records, and contact Fontaine customer service at 1-877-345-9526 to ask how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 15, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V302?
Recall 19V302 covers 123 2017-2019 Fontaine Traverse Ht trailers with a hydraulic cylinder retaining pin that can disconnect from the main tail. A loose pin or dropped cylinder can become a road hazard or cause loss of vehicle control. Fontaine dealers replace the snap rings with cotter pins for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Fontaine Traverse Ht is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 19V302. If it is, contact a franchised Fontaine dealer or Fontaine customer service at 1-877-345-9526 to schedule the retaining-pin repair. The dealer repair is free, and the recall repair began June 13, 2019.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 19V302, Fontaine dealers replace the hydraulic cylinder retaining pin snap rings with cotter pins free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a loose hydraulic cylinder retaining pin or a hydraulic cylinder that drops free and strikes the road. Either condition can create a road hazard or cause loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free Fontaine dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V302000 |
|---|---|
| Fontaine customer service | 1-877-345-9526 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V302 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V302000 |
Source documents
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Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
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Download Recall Report (PDF)
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Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
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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 →