NHTSA Recall 04V026000: Trailer hitches

COTTRELL, INC. reported this safety recall to NHTSA on January 15, 2004, covering an estimated 54 vehicles. It affects 2003–2004 Cottrell C-8ENC.

vehicles potentially affected

model affected

2004

owners notified (January 15)

NHTSA campaign	04V026000
Component	TRAILER HITCHES
Report received	January 15, 2004
Owner notification	January 15, 2004
Initiated by	Manufacturer

Defect

On certain car-haul trailers, improper welding of the landing leg to the kingpin assembly could cause premature cracking.

Safety risk

This could cause the trailer to detach from the tractor increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

All owners have been contacted. Cottrell will weld reinforcement pieces to the landing leg of the kingpin assembly.

Notes

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Vehicles covered by recall 04V026000

Make and model	Model years
Cottrell C-8ENC	2003, 2004

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.