Wabash recalls trailers for underride guards torqued below spec
Supplier failed to tighten bumper tube bolts to updated torque values after metal change, reducing rear-impact protection.
Wabash National is recalling trailers for rear underride guards that may not meet federal crash protection standards. The guards' bumper tube bolts were torqued below specification, reducing the protection the guard provides in a rear-end collision.
How did the underride guards fail to meet spec?
Wabash changed the torque specification for rear impact guard installation after switching to different metals in the guard manufacturing process. The supplier responsible for installing the guards did not tighten the bumper tube bolts to the updated torque values. The under-torqued bolts mean the trailers fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requirements for rear impact guards.
Wabash learned of the problem in late May when the bumper tube supplier submitted a deviation request. The supplier had been torquing the bolts below the required specification. Wabash corrected the condition in production on June 6.
What trailers are affected?
The recall notice does not specify the number of trailers affected, the model years involved, or which Wabash trailer models received the improperly installed guards. Fleet operators should expect direct notification from Wabash if their units are included in the recall population.
Rear underride guards are the horizontal bars mounted at the back of trailers, designed to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding underneath the trailer in a rear-end crash. The guards must withstand specific impact forces at mandated heights. Under-torqued mounting bolts compromise the guard's ability to absorb crash energy and can allow the guard to separate or deform prematurely.
What fleets should do
Wabash will notify affected trailer owners and arrange for dealers to re-torque the bumper tube bolts to the correct specification at no charge. Fleets with Wabash trailers manufactured between the metal change date and June 6, 2026 should verify whether their units are included in the recall.
Shops that perform in-house trailer maintenance should not attempt to re-torque the bolts without confirmation from Wabash of the correct specification and procedure. Improper torque application can strip threads or create uneven clamping force, potentially worsening the problem.
This is the second major trailer recall in recent weeks involving structural safety components. In May, Fontaine recalled Fusion flatbeds for hydrogen embrittlement in galvanized main beams, warning owners not to use the trailers until inspection and repair.
What this means for trailer specs
The recall highlights the cascading effects of material changes in trailer manufacturing. When an OEM switches metals in a structural component, every fastener torque spec, welding procedure, and assembly sequence tied to that component must be updated and communicated through the supply chain. A supplier working from outdated torque values can produce compliant-looking hardware that fails under load.
Fleets ordering new trailers should confirm that assembly procedures for safety-critical components like underride guards, suspension hangers, and fifth-wheel mounting are current for the materials actually being used in production. The gap between a spec sheet and the shop floor can cost lives.
