Tap 20009 Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 04E074000
Manufacturer: HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORP.
Date of Owner Notification: October 31st, 2004

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN HOPKINS TAP BREAK-AWAY SWITCHES. THE PLUNGER PIN SOLD SEPARATELY AS MODEL NUMBERS 20009 & 20012 AS WELL AS BEING INCLUDED AS A PART OF VARIOUS BREAK-AWAY KITS WITH THE FOLLOWING MODEL NUMBERS: 20001, 20002, 20003, 20004, 20005, 20010, 20014, 20019, 20099, 20100, 20102, 20103, 20300, 20303, 17120009, 1170200001, 1170200005, 1170200099, 1530200003, 1530200004, 1540201000, 1550200003, 1580200004, 1590200004, 1610200003, 1700200003, 1770200003, 1800201000, 7020200001, 7020200002, 7020200003, 7020200004, 7020200005, 7020200009, 7020200010, 7020200012, 7020200013, 7020200099, 7020201000, 7020201001, 7020201002, 7020201003, 7020201004, 7020201007, 20005A, 20009A, S2000L, S20002, S20003, S20005, S20009, AND S20099. IF THE O-RING IS NOT PROPERLY SEATED IN THE GROOVE PROVIDED, THE RESIN PLUNGER PIN COULD BE PLACED UNDER CONTINUOUS TENSILE LOADING CONDITIONS. THIS COULD RESULT IN STRESS CRACKING OF THE PLUNGER PIN OVER TIME.

Consequence Summary:
THE PLUNGER PIN COULD FAIL TO ACTIVATE THE TRAILER BRAKES DURING TRAILER/TOW VEHICLE SEPARATION.

Corrective Summary:
HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE ALL ORIGINAL PLUNGER PIN ASSEMBLIES WITH NEW PLUNGER PIN ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 31, 2004. 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 HOPKINS AT(WE DO NOT YET HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL.)

Recall Notes:
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).