Recall 20V159 affects 47 2018-2020 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer and 406 Semi-Trailer vehicles for fractured brake actuator washers. Repair is free at any franchised Tremcar dealer.
Tremcar is recalling 47 2018-2020 407 Semi-Trailer and 406 Semi-Trailer units because washers that mount the brake actuators can fracture and let the actuators loosen. Reduced braking performance can lengthen stopping distance and increase crash risk; Tremcar dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
In NHTSA campaign 20V159, the brake actuator on the 2018-2020 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer and 406 Semi-Trailer is the part that applies brake force at the wheel end. It converts air pressure from the trailer brake system into mechanical movement, so the brakes clamp when the driver presses the pedal. The mounting washers help hold that actuator tight against its bracket.
On these trailers, the flat mounting washers used with certain TSE brake actuators can fracture. TSE Brakes traced the failure to hydrogen assisted cracking, where hydrogen embrittlement weakens the washer, combined with washer deformation when used with a slotted-style bracket. Once a washer fractures, the actuator can loosen and braking ability can be reduced.
There is no warning sign before failure. Hendrickson and TSE Brakes identified no owner warning before the washer fractures or the brake actuator loosens.
Who's affected?
Covers both 406 and 407 Semi-Trailer models across the 2018, 2019, and 2020 model years, with the brake system as the shared component.
| 2018 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer | brake system |
| 2019 Tremcar 406 Semi-Trailer | brake system |
| 2020 Tremcar 406 Semi-Trailer | brake system |
| 2020 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer | brake system |
| 2018 Tremcar 406 Semi-Trailer | brake system |
| Units affected | 47 |
| 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?
Reduced braking performance lengthens the distance needed to stop and increases the risk of a crash. Hendrickson and TSE Brakes identified no warning sign before the braking problem appears, so schedule the recall repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Tremcar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2020 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer or 406 Semi-Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Tremcar dealer to schedule the free brake-actuator washer and nut replacement that secures the loose brake actuators.
- Bring the recall notice if Tremcar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V159 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Avoid hard braking and leave extra stopping distance.
- Call Tremcar customer service at 1-800-363-2158 with questions about the free repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Tremcar technician replaces the brake actuator mounting washers and nuts with replacement hardware supplied through TSE Brakes. The recall repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free. If you paid out of pocket for brake actuator mounting hardware or a related brake repair before the recall notice, ask Tremcar customer service how to submit documentation under its reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 19, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 23, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| March 23, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 23, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 30, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V159?
Recall 20V159 covers 47 2018-2020 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer and 406 Semi-Trailer units with brake actuator mounting washers that can fracture. If the actuator loosens, braking performance can drop and stopping distance can increase. TSE Brakes provides replacement washers and nuts for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2020 Tremcar 407 Semi-Trailer or 406 Semi-Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific semi-trailer is included in recall 20V159. If it is, contact Tremcar customer service at 1-800-363-2158 for repair routing and reference recall 20V159. The replacement brake actuator mounting washers and nuts are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Tremcar's remedy says TSE Brakes provides the replacement brake actuator mounting washers and nuts free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking performance. If the brake actuator mounting washers fracture and the actuators loosen, the semi-trailer can need more distance to stop, which increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free replacement parts through Tremcar.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V159000 |
|---|---|
| Tremcar customer service | 1-800-363-2158 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V159 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V159000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →