NHTSA Complaint #10777754 — 2015 TRAILSTAR NITRO Z7

THIS IS A BOAT TRAILER WITH RUNNING BOARD TYPE STEPS THAT ARE INTEGRATED WITH THE FENDERS. THE STEPS HAVE DESIGN FLAWS THAT CAUSE MULTIPLE MODES OF FAILURE INCLUDING BENDING OF METAL, TEARING OF METAL, DEFORMATION OF MOUNTING HARDWARE, AND FAILURE OF WELDS AND THE SURROUNDING MATERIAL. THE RESULT IS INSTABILITY OF THE FENDER AND RUNNING BOARD ASSEMBLY AS SEEN WITH EXCESSIVE BOUNCING OR VIBRATION WHILE UNDER TOW. IN ADDITION THE ASSEMBLY FLEXES WHEN STEPPED ON POSING A RISK OF FALL INJURY. THE FAILURE IS PROGRESSIVE AND WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO FULL DETACHMENT WHICH COULD LEAD TO FURTHER DAMAGE OR AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT APPEAR CONCERNED. WITH POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF THESE TRAILERS ON THE ROAD SPANNING MANY MODELS AND MODEL YEARS, THE RISK OF NOT TAKING APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IS SIGNIFICANT.