Equipment: mechanical: wrecker and wheel lift devices (Volvo)
Vehicle equipment recall 02E-043. NHTSA received VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.’s report on Jul 23, 2002.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.’s report on Jul 23, 2002. 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 LOCKING MECHANISM WERE TO FAIL, THE ASSEMBLY IN TOW MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE TOW VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
BRINK GENERATION 3.0 DETACHABLE TOW HITCHES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 1998 AND MAY 31, 2000.
THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE TOW BAR, THAT PREVENTS THE DETACHABLE TOW HOOK FROM SEPARATING FROM THE FIXED VEHICLES INSTALLATION, MAY HAVE REDUCED FUNCTION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Equipment: mechanical: wrecker and wheel lift devices.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED TOW HITCHES WITH A TOW HITCH OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 13, 2002. 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 VOLVO AT 201-768-7300.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN 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 1,222 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Volvo TOW HitchBuilt from Aug 1, 1998 to May 31, 2000
Who is recalling it?
- Made by VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC..
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.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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.