Vehicle Parts & Equipment/Suspension & Steering

Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Company LLC: WPED5W-SL2255 Trailers Recalled for Potential Steering Arm Fracture

Agency Publication Date: December 14, 2022

Summary

Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Company LLC is recalling 12 of its WPED5W-SL2255 trailers that are equipped with Smart-Steer 2.0 self-steering axles. The steering arm on these trailers can fracture under certain conditions, particularly during low-speed maneuvers or when subjected to high side-loading. If the arm breaks, the steering arm and tie rod can separate from the vehicle and fall onto the roadway. Dealers will install a new steering arm and apply additional welds to the assembly to ensure it is secure.

Risk

A fractured steering arm and tie rod can separate from the trailer and fall to the ground, which can lead to a loss of steering control or create a road hazard, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do

Identify if your trailer is a Williamsen-Godwin WPED5W-SL2255 model equipped with the Smart-Steer 2.0 self-steering axle system.
Contact Williamsen-Godwin customer service at 1-801-973-9400 to confirm if your specific unit is affected and to arrange for a free repair.
If affected, take your trailer to an authorized dealer to have a new steering arm installed and additional welds applied at no cost to you.
For additional information or to report concerns, contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Your Remedy Options

Free Repair

Installation of a new steering arm and additional welds.

How to: Contact Williamsen-Godwin customer service at 1-801-973-9400 to schedule a free repair at a dealership.

Affected Products

Product: Williamsen-Godwin WPED5W-SL2255 Trailer

Part / Model:

WPED5W-SL2255

Additional Information

Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Recall ID: 22E099000

Status: Active

Manufacturer: Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Company LLC

Sold By: Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Company LLC

Manufactured In: United States

Units Affected: 12 vehicles(12% estimated defective)

Park Vehicle: No

Park Outside: No

OTA Update: No

Product Type: Equipment (E)

Recall Classification: Safety Defect

Owner Notification Date: March 15, 2023

Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. Please be reminded of the following requirements: You are required to submit a draft owner notification letter to this office no less than five days prior to mailing it to the customers. Also, copies of all notices, bulletins, dealer notifications, and other communications that relate to this recall, including a copy of the final owner notification letter and any subsequent owner follow-up notification letter(s), are required to be submitted to this office no later than 5 days after they are originally sent (if they are sent to more than one manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or purchaser/owner). Please be reminded that under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a)(3), it is illegal for a manufacturer, to sell, offer for sale, import, or introduce or deliver into interstate commerce, a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that contains a safety defect once the manufacturer has notified NHTSA about that safety defect. This prohibition does not apply once the motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment has been remedied according to the manufacturer's instructions. As stated in Part 573.7, submission of the first of eight consecutive quarterly status reports is required within one month after the close of the calendar quarter in which notification to purchasers occurs. Therefore, the first quarterly report will be due on, or before, 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter.

Distributed To: Nationwide

Agency Last Updated: November 14, 2023

Were You Affected by This Recall?

If you or a family member were harmed by this recalled product, you may have legal rights. Consider consulting a consumer protection attorney to understand your options for compensation.

Find an Attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. Go Backs is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.

AI-Enhanced Content: The summary, action steps, and risk assessment on this page were generated by AI from official government recall data to improve readability. This is not legal or medical advice. Always refer to the official agency sources below for authoritative information.

Sources: NHTSA Notice · Raw API Response

Summary

What You Should Do

Identify if your trailer is a Williamsen-Godwin WPED5W-SL2255 model equipped with the Smart-Steer 2.0 self-steering axle system.

Contact Williamsen-Godwin customer service at 1-801-973-9400 to confirm if your specific unit is affected and to arrange for a free repair.

If affected, take your trailer to an authorized dealer to have a new steering arm installed and additional welds applied at no cost to you.

For additional information or to report concerns, contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Additional Information

Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Recall ID: 22E099000

Status: Active

Manufacturer: Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Company LLC

Sold By: Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Company LLC

Manufactured In: United States

Units Affected: 12 vehicles(12% estimated defective)

Park Vehicle: No

Park Outside: No

OTA Update: No

Product Type: Equipment (E)

Recall Classification: Safety Defect

Owner Notification Date: March 15, 2023

Distributed To: Nationwide

Agency Last Updated: November 14, 2023