Exterior lighting (Haul Master)
Vehicle recall 16V-597. NHTSA received Harbor Freight Tools’s report on Aug 12, 2016.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Harbor Freight Tools’s report on Aug 12, 2016. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The trailers may be less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Harbor Freight Tools (Harbor Freight) is recalling certain model year 2006-2016 Haul Master trailers, model numbers 90154, 42708, 90153, 66771, 42709, 94564 trailers, and 2013-2016 Haul Master trailers, model numbers 62170, 62209, 61730, and 69897.
The affected trailers may be equipped with incorrectly positioned rear lamp brackets that may not illuminate the license plate.
The lights fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting.
What should you do?
Harbor Freight will notify owners and will provide them with a new tail light package, free of charge. The recall began on October 10, 2016. Owners may contact Harbor Freight customer service at 1-805-388-1000.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 374,319 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Harbor Freight Tools.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- 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 (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 19, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 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 19, 2026.