Equipment (Master Lock)
Vehicle equipment recall 03E-017. NHTSA received MASTER LOCK’s report on Mar 11, 2003.
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The short answer
NHTSA received MASTER LOCK’s report on Mar 11, 2003. 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?
PRIOR TO PRODUCT FAILURE, THE AFFECTED PRODUCT WOULD LIKELY SHOW SIGNS OF CRACKING IN THE CORNER OF THE VERTICAL TUBE. IF THE PRODUCT IS NOT REPLACED , THE BALL MOUNT COULD PREMATURELY BREAK OR CRACK, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE TRAILER TO SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE.
MASTER LOCK ZERO TILT ADJUSTABLE BALL MOUNT TRAILER HITCH MODEL NO. 2841AT, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 12 AND MARCH 7, 2003.
THE CORNER WELDING ON THE VERTICAL TUBE AND TUBE WALL THICKNESS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH MASTER LOCK’S DESIGN SPECIFICATION.
THIS IRREGULARITY MAY DECREASE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE PRODUCT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Equipment.
What should you do?
MASTER LOCK WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED BALL MOUNTS AT NO CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2003. 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 MASTER LOCK AT 1-800-308-9244.
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 6,883 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Master Lock 2841ATNHTSA gives no dates made
Who is recalling it?
- Made by MASTER LOCK.
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.