Recall 20V463 covers 64 2018 American Hauler cargo trailers with Dexter D52 axle spindle weld failures. Repair is free at any franchised American Hauler dealer.
American Hauler is recalling 64 2018 Falcon/Xc, Arrow, Night Hawk, and Air-Lite cargo trailers equipped with Dexter D52 axles because the axle spindles can suffer weld failures. If an axle fails, the risk of a crash or injury rises, and American Hauler dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The axle on the 2018 American Hauler Falcon/Xc, Arrow, Night Hawk, and Air-Lite trailers is the non-powered beam that carries the trailer's load and keeps the wheels aligned behind the tow vehicle. These trailers use Dexter D52 axles, and each wheel end depends on a spindle welded to the axle so the hub and wheel stay supported while the trailer rolls.
On affected trailers, the spindle weld on the Dexter D52 axle was identified for potential weld failure. A weak or failed weld breaks the connection that lets the spindle carry the hub and wheel load. Once that weld gives up, the wheel end is no longer held in the way the suspension was designed to support it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The axle serial number distinguishes the affected axle, so an owner should not rely on noise, vibration, or visual symptoms to decide whether the trailer is included.
Who's affected?
Covers four trailer lines in the same model year, all tied to the rear suspension axle assembly.
| 2018 American Hauler Falcon/Xc | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2018 American Hauler Arrow | rear suspension |
| 2018 American Hauler Night Hawk | rear suspension |
| 2018 American Hauler Air-Lite | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 64 |
| 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?
An axle failure increases the risk of a crash or injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the axle inspection soon and use caution until the dealer checks whether replacement is needed. Repair is free at any franchised American Hauler dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 American Hauler Falcon/Xc, Arrow, Night Hawk, or Air-Lite trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised American Hauler dealer to schedule the free axle inspection and replacement that addresses the spindle-weld failure.
- Bring the recall notice if American Hauler mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V463 when you call.
- Use the trailer only as needed until the axle inspection and repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an American Hauler technician inspects the Dexter axles for spindle weld problems and replaces any axle that fails inspection. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. American Hauler has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible prior repairs. If you already paid for an axle repair tied to this defect, keep your repair documentation and contact American Hauler or the service desk about reimbursement under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 7, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 17, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| August 20, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 21, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 23, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V463?
Recall 20V463 covers 64 2018 American Hauler Falcon/Xc, Arrow, Night Hawk, and Air-Lite cargo trailers equipped with Dexter D52 axles. The spindle welds on those axles can fail, increasing crash or injury risk. Dealers will inspect the axles and replace affected axles for free.
What should I do if my 2018 American Hauler Falcon/Xc, Arrow, Night Hawk, or Air-Lite is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V463. If it is, contact a franchised American Hauler dealer to schedule an axle inspection. Reference recall number 20V463 when you call. The inspection and any needed axle replacement are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and American Hauler dealers will inspect the Dexter D52 axles and replace affected axles free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is axle failure. The recalled trailers have Dexter D52 axles with spindle welds that can fail, which increases the risk of a crash or injury. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free dealer inspection and repair.
What if I bought this American Hauler trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 American Hauler trailer is included, then contact an American Hauler dealer with recall number 20V463.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V463000 |
|---|---|
| American Hauler customer service | 574-295-7888 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V463 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V463000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →