2015 Great Dane Refrigerated Trailer problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: Great Dane Trailers (Great Dane) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Dry Freight Van, Reefer, and Flatbed trailers manufactured January 1, 2014, to March 4, 2016, equipped with certain Bendix SR5 spring brake valves. These valves may have been improperly machined which may cause a delay of application of the spring brakes while parking.

Risk: If there is a delay of the spring brake application, the trailer may roll away after it has decoupled from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Great Dane will contact owners and provide a remedy kit, complete with instructions, to repair any affected SR-5 trailer relay valves, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2016. Owners may contact Great Dane Customer Service Department at 1-912-232-4471.

Defect: Great Dane Trailers (Great Dane) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Reefer semi trailers manufactured December 19, 2013, to June 28, 2015, and equipped with certain Meritor EX225L2, EX225L+, or Bendix ADB22X axles. The affected axle assemblies have caliper bolts that may not have been properly tightened, allowing the caliper mounting bolts to back out and the caliper to detach from the axle flange.

Risk: If the caliper detaches from the axle flange, braking performance would be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Great Dane will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 11, 2016. Owners may contact Great Dane customer service at 1-912-232-4471, or Meritor customer service at 1-866-668-7221.

Defect: Great Dane Trailers (Great Dane) is recalling certain model year 2015 Reefer and Van Trailers manufactured March 3, 2014, to February 24, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected actuators may have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mechanism of the parking brake section of the Life Seal actuator.

Risk: If the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section past the diaphragm, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section. This air pressure in turn, if not vented, may prevent full release of the actuator unit, and may induce brake drag and may result in overheated wheelend service brakes, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Great Dane will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 2, 2015. Owners may contact Great Dane customer service at 1-912-232-4471.