Hearth Record

Trailer hitches (Zieman)

Vehicle recall 80V-005. NHTSA received ZIEMAN MFG. CO.’s report on Jan 22, 1980.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received ZIEMAN MFG. CO.’s report on Jan 22, 1980. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 24, 2026.

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

What’s wrong with it?

The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.

THE DEFECT IS DUE TO A DESIGN ERROR IN THE COUPLING SYSTEM OF THE TRAILER AND TOWING VEHICLE.

IN NORMAL OPERATION, THE SURGE BRAKE HITCH COUPLER ACTIVATES THE TRAILER BRAKES AS THE TOWING VEHICLE DECELERATES.

A TRANSVERSE PIN, LOCATED IN THE REAR PART OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR, MAY PULL OUT OF THE FIXED EARS AT ITS EXTREME ENDS.

THIS WOULD ALLOW TRAILER SEPARATION, EXCEPT FOR THE SAFETY CHAINS.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Trailer hitches.

What should you do?

DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLE AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRAILERS.SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; SURGE BRAKE HITCH COUPLER.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE SAFETY CHAINS BREAK, THE TRAILER WOULD ROLL FREEAND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PARTIAL SEPARATION COULD ALSO CAUSE LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 30 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Zieman D2Wand 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here
  • Zieman D2and 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by ZIEMAN MFG. CO..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • 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 24, 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.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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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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