2001–2009 Strick Van Trailer Recall: Affected trailers may be equipped with rear impact guards that may not be…

The defect

Strick Trailers, LLC (Strick) is recalling certain model year 2001 Van Trailers manufactured October 11, 2000, and 2009 Van Trailers manufactured March 12, 2008, to March 17, 2008. The affected trailers may be equipped with rear impact guards that may not be strong enough to prevent a vehicle from traveling under a trailer in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 223, "Rear Impact Guards."

The risk

If the trailer is rear ended by a automobile, the guard may fail to prevent the automobile from traveling under the trailer, increasing the risk of injury to the driver of the automobile.

The fix — what to do

Strick will notify owners, and fleets will add reinforcements to the gussets, free of charge. The remedy parts are not available, but owners will receive an interim notification starting late October 2015 and will receive a second notice when the remedy parts are available, currently expected to be before the end of 2015. Owners may contact Strick customer service at 1-260-692-1300.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.