Vehicle recall 81V099000 · August 25, 1981
1979-1981 Freightliner Freightliner
The safety chain bale portion of the towing attachment may have a defective weld in a critical area.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- The safety chain bale portion of the towing attachment may have a defective weld in a critical area. If the trailer hitch should become unlatched or in the event of an accident causing the truck and trailer to become separated, the resulting forces could cause a failure of the safety chain bale. A failure of this part would allow complete separation of the truck and trailer without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Upon separation, the trailer would travel out of control until the emergency braking system could bring it to a stop. A vehicle accident could result. Corrective action: the safety chain bale will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced with a new one.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: trucks with tow hitch.system: structure; safety chain bale.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 81V099000
- Reported to NHTSA
- August 25, 1981
- Filed by
- FREIGHTLINER CORP.
- Owner notification
- July 7, 1983
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 70
- 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.
- Freightliner Freightliner (1979-1981): 1981, 1980, 1979
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