Hearth Record

Trailer hitches (Ford Accessory Parts)

Vehicle equipment recall 00E-013. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Mar 7, 2000.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Mar 7, 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?

IF THE OPERATOR DOES NOT NOTICE THE CONDITION DUE TO RATTLE OR OTHER LOOSENESS OF THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE TRAILER HITCH TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

AFTERMARKET TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLIES.

THE MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES MAY BECOME LOOSE AND LOSE CLAMP LOAD, RESULTING IN A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE ATTACHING BOLTS FROM THE VEHICLE.

Source:

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

  • NHTSA’s part: Trailer hitches.

What should you do?

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLIES TO RETURN THEIR HITCHES TO THE DEALERS TO REPLACE THE MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES WITH A HIGHER STRENGTH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES INSTALLED AT A HIGHER TORQUE AND INCLUDING AN ADHESIVE PATCH.

Source:

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

  • How to reach the firm: PURCHASERS OF THIS AFTERMARKET TRAILER HITCH SHOULD CONTACT THEIR DEALER OR CALL FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, TO REGISTER WITH THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE RECALL.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 6,750 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

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

  • Ford Accessory Parts Aftermarket Trailer HitchBuilt from Jul 22, 1996 to Dec 31, 1999

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
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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