NHTSA recall 04E074000 · Equipment
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
The defect
Certain hopkins tap break-away switches. the plunger pin sold separately as model numbers 20009 & 20012 as well as being included as a part of various break-away kits with the following model numbers: 20001, 20002, 20003, 20004, 20005, 20010, 20014, 20019, 20099, 20100, 20102, 20103, 20300, 20303, 17120009, 1170200001, 1170200005, 1170200099, 1530200003, 1530200004, 1540201000, 1550200003, 1580200004, 1590200004, 1610200003, 1700200003, 1770200003, 1800201000, 7020200001, 7020200002, 7020200003, 7020200004, 7020200005, 7020200009, 7020200010, 7020200012, 7020200013, 7020200099, 7020201000, 7020201001, 7020201002, 7020201003, 7020201004, 7020201007, 20005a, 20009a, s2000l, s20002, s20003, s20005, s20009, and s20099. if the o-ring IS not properly seated in the groove provided, the resin plunger pin could be placed under continuous tensile loading conditions. this could result in stress cracking of the plunger pin over time.
The risk
The plunger pin could fail to activate the trailer brakes during trailer/tow vehicle separation.
The remedy
Hopkins will notify its customers and replace all original plunger pin assemblies with new plunger pin assemblies free of charge. the recall began october 31, 2004. 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 hopkins at(we do not yet have a telephone number for this recall.)