Masterlock 2983 Dat Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E081000
Manufacturer: MASTERLOCK CO.
Date of Owner Notification: October 4th, 2008

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN MASTERLOCK QUICK LINK TOWING SAFETY CHAIN CONNECTORS, MODEL 2983 DAT, WITH "5/16" 1,760 LBS. WLL" STAMPED INTO THE PRODUCT. THE LOCKING NUT ON THE LINK MAY NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE SCREW THREADS ON THE LINK, PREVENTING THE LOCKING NUT FROM HOLDING THE FORCE GENERATED DURING USE. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LINK BECOMING MIS-SHAPENED AND ALLOWING THE SAFETY CHAIN ATTACHED TO THE LINK TO COME LOOSE FROM THE LINK, AND/OR THE LINK TO COME LOOSE FROM THE HITCH RECEIVER.

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT THAT THE MAIN TOWING MECHANISM, SUCH AS THE BALL MOUNT OR THE HITCH BALL FAILS, AND THE TRAILING VEHICLE BECOMES DISENGAGED FROM THE HITCH RECEIVER, THE LINK CONNECTED TO THE SAFETY CHAIN COULD FAIL ALLOWING THE TRAILING VEHICLE TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
MASTERLOCK WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO STOP USING THE DEFECTIVE LINKS AND RETURN THEM FOR FREE REPLACEMENT LINKS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT MASTERLOCK AT 800-424-2088.

Recall Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.