What NHTSA investigated
After receiving a report from a Florida boat dealer alleging certain hydraulic surge brake calipers manufactured by Tie Down Engineering freeze on the caliper carrier pins, ODI opened PE99-034.During the course of conducting the PE, ODI has found that numerous performance failures have occurred involving Tie Down's boat trailer brake calipers.Since their introduction in June 1997, the calipers have been upgraded at least 3 times.In all, Tie Down has made more than 18 changes to the calipers addressing complaints received from trailer manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and owners.Most of these complaints related to the original caliper (GEN1) producted from June, 1998 through September, 1998.The two most serious complaints lodged by those familiar with the system, involve inadvertent brake lock-up while towing at speed and brake fluid leakage from the caliper/poston interface (the allege cause of the crash).To clarify these and other issues, we have upgraded the PE to this EA.
The recall that followed
Vehicles covered
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Tie Down Engineering | BRAKE CALIPER | Model year not recorded |
Source
From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.