Component
TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
22 NHTSA complaints about trailer hitches:fifth wheel assembly issues across 9 makes and 19 models.
The trailer hitches:fifth wheel assembly is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 22 filings from 9 manufacturers and 19 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET VENTURE with 3 filings, followed by DODGE CARAVAN and VOLVO WIA. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEVROLET VENTURE | 3 |
| 2 | DODGE CARAVAN | 2 |
| 3 | VOLVO WIA | 1 |
| 4 | VOLVO VN610 | 1 |
| 5 | RAM 1500 | 1 |
| 6 | KENWORTH T800 | 1 |
| 7 | KENWORTH CONVENTIONAL | 1 |
| 8 | INTERNATIONAL LF687 | 1 |
| 9 | FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER | 1 |
| 10 | FREIGHTLINER FLC120 | 1 |
| 11 | FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA | 1 |
| 12 | FORD RANGER | 1 |
| 13 | FORD F-550 SD | 1 |
| 14 | DODGE RAM 3500 | 1 |
| 15 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 1 |
| 16 | DODGE RAM | 1 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 1 |
| 18 | CHEVROLET LUMINA APV | 1 |
| 19 | ALFA ROMEO GOLD | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500 equipped with a Hensley Pro Pride trailer hitch. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling a 40-ft RV, he made a right turn and the tra
Minimizer sells a piece of plastic that bolts to the top of semi truck 5th wheel and under trailers. Minimizer claims this plastic is designed for frequent drop and hook applications. The plastic can'
WE HAVE TRIED SINCE THE RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED. WE PULL A FORTY FOOT FIFTH WHEEL THAT IS OUR HOME. WE DO NOT LIKE RIDING IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED IN YUMA AZ. AND JOPLIN MO. SOON WE WILL
TL*THE CONTACT DROVE A 2007 T800 KENWORTH TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN REVERSE AND TRYING TO LOCK THE TRAILER IN PLACE, THE FIFTH WHEEL HANDLE FAILED TO LOCK WHICH CAUSED THE FIFTH WHEE
I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR A SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH A 5TH WHEEL ON HEAVY TRUCKS. I HAVE MORE LOTS MORE INFORMATION THAT I CAN FORWARD TO YOU. OVER 300 VINS AND A LETTER FROM THE VEND
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ALFA GOLD, 5TH WHEEL TRAILER, MODEL NUMBER SGF34RLES. THE INSTALLATION OF THE SHOCK ABSORBENT BRACELET BASE PLATE BOLTS WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO CONNECT TO THE LOCKING MECHA
GM OEM HITCH FAILURE. SQUARE RECEIVER TUBE IS BENDING UP-WARD. WELDS AT ROUND CROSS TUBE JOINTS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING. DEALER STATED IN THEIR INVOICE AFTER CHECKING PROBLEM THAT "TRAILER HITCH
WHILE MAKING A SHARP TURN USING THE FIFTH WHEEL IT CAUSED THE TRAILER TO COLLIDE WITH THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRAILER DENTED THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BREAKING A GLASS WINDOW. *AK
FIFTH WHEEL LOCKING PIN FAILED CAUSING TRAILER TO SEPARATE FROM TRACTOR.*MR (KENWORTH CONVENTIONAL 2003)*TS *JB
MULTPULE REPAIRS AND SAFETY FACTORS, TOO MANY TO JUST START RAMBLING OFF. TIRES, FRAME, A/C, ALTERATORS, VIBRATION, WHICH INTURN CAUSES EXHAUST LEAKS. THE LIST GOES FROM STRUCTURE TO ELECTRICAL.
VEHICLE WAS IN A T-BONE ACCIDENT AND THE REAR WHEEL FELL OFF UPON IMPACT. ON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE REAR CASTING THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY HAD CRACKED OVER
WHILE A CHILD WAS SITTING IN AN INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT, THE CHILDS' HAND GOT CAUGHT IN THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE A SAFETY DEVICE PREVENTING THAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO STOP WHEN A SMALL CHILD ENTERED ITS PASSAGE WAY. *MR
AT THE SPEED OF 25MPH SUDDENLY HEARD A NOISE AND LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL. MANAGED TO MERGE SUDDENLY TO RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD. BATTERY, ENGINE, AND POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON. WHILE L
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TT ALSO, FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED ADJUSTMENT/ HOOD WAS CRACKED/ THERE WAS A MISSING BOLT IN CROSSMEMBER/ THERE WAS A LEAK UNDER THE DASH/THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED/AIR WHISTL
TRAILER HITCH:FIFTH WHEEL STRETCHED ALL THE WAY BACK. *TT...*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE WELD IN THE FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING A SEPARATION OF THE UNITS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRAILER OVERTURNING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
REMOTE ENTRY SLIDING DOOR FAILURE.
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ALMOST CLOSED UPON A CHILD BUT PARENT PUSHED CHILD OUT OF THE WAY AND HER ARM GOT CRUSHED. *AK
PROBLEM WITH SLIDING SIDE DOOR DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AT TIMES.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.