Vehicle recall 00V408000 · December 5, 2000
Featherlite 4950 and 4951
Vehicle description: trailers equipped with dotsco couplers and safety chain/fastener assemblies.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: trailers equipped with dotsco couplers and safety chain/fastener assemblies. The coupler locking pin that ensures that the coupler remains locked can be misplaced and not installed by the operator. The coupler locking pin also had a safety pin, which could be misplaced or come loose and fall out.
- Consequence
- Should either situation happen, the locking mechanism of the coupler can move upward thus allowing the locking jaws of the coupler to open enough to allow the coupler to release from the ball on the tow vehicle. The safety chain assemblies may also have an inadequate fastener, which could allow the safety chain to become detached from the trailer in the event the trailer becomes uncoupled, allowing the safety chain to become detached from the trailer.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a coupler and safety chain/fastener kit to these trailers.
- Notes
- Owner notification is expected to begin during December 2000.OWNERS who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact featherlite at 1-877-903-1444. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 00V408000
- Reported to NHTSA
- December 5, 2000
- Filed by
- FEATHERLITE, INC.
- Owner notification
- December 20, 2000
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 90
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Trailer hitches
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Featherlite 4950 (1997-2000): 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
- Featherlite 4951 (1997-2000): 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Has your Featherlite been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Featherlite dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.