Hearth Record

Trailer hitches (Automatic Equipment)

Vehicle equipment recall 00E-001. NHTSA received AUTOMATIC EQUIP. MFG. CO.’s report on Jan 19, 2000.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received AUTOMATIC EQUIP. MFG. CO.’s report on Jan 19, 2000. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

THE FAILURE OF THESE BRACKETS COULD CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE TOWED VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: TOW BARS.

THESE UNITS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE MOUNTING BRACKETS

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Trailer hitches.

What should you do?

OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT TOW BAR. AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT HAS REQUESTED THE RETURN OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW BAR.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 20, 2000.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 AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT AT 402-385-3051. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 2,406 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Automatic Equipment TOW BARBuilt from Jun 1, 1997 to Oct 31, 1999

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by AUTOMATIC EQUIP. MFG. CO..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Which ones, by part or lot: the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site gives them where the maker did; this file gives part numbers only where its maker listed them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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