RoadVitals

2016 Kaufman Mini Car Hauler

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Oct 5, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 21, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2016 Kaufman Mini Car Hauler, most frequently naming the brakes and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Suspension150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16V764000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Oct 21, 2016
127 units potentially affected
The defect: Kaufman Trailers Group, LLC. (Kaufman) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 FE-3/7K-44 Mini Car Haulers manufactured January 1, 2015, to August 31, 2016. On the affected trailers, the spring eye may break off the spring and allow the axle to slide back and forth.
The risk: If the axle slides back and forth, the tires on that axle may contact the fenders or the adjacent tires, possibly damaging the tires and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Kaufman has notified owners and dealers will replace all of the springs on the affected trailers with a newly designed spring that has a thicker top leaf and rubber bushing with steel sleeve. The recall began on October 24, 2016. For help with this recall, owners may contact Kaufman at 1-336-790-2756.
Kaufman Trailers Group, LLC.View on NHTSA.gov
16V635000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY; SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

Sep 1, 2016
285 units potentially affected
The defect: Kaufman Trailers (Kaufman) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mini 5-Car Hauler trailers, model FE-3/7K-44, manufactured July 1, 2015, to August 24, 2016. During use, the suspension spring eye may break, and allow the axle to slide back and forth.
The risk: If the axle is able to slide back and forth, the tires on the sliding axle can contact either the fender or the adjacent tire, adversely affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Kaufman Trailers of NC, Inc. will replace all springs on your trailer with a newly designed spring that has a thicker top leaf and rubber bushing with steel sleeve, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2016. Owners may contact Kaufman customer service at 1-336-790-6800.
Kaufman TrailersView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesSuspension
Filed Oct 5, 2016

I PURCHASED A KAUFMAN 5 CR MINI HAULER TO START A CAR HAULING TRANSPORTATION COMPANY. I DECIDED TO BUY NEW FROM THE MANUFACTURER SO AS TO AVOID ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL REPAIRS IN THE EARLY PART OF MY BUSINESS STARTUP AS WELL AS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WARRANTY OFFERED BY KAUFMAN. AFTER ONLY 2 MONTHS OF USE (LIGHT USE AT THAT), THE LEAF SPRING ON MY TRAILER BROKE WHILE MY DRIVER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. I CONTACTED KAUFMAN AND THEY REIMBURSED ME FOR THE EXPENSE ONLY AFTER TRYING TO ASSERT THAT MY DRIVER HAD MISHANDLED THE TRAILER. TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT REPAIR, MY TIRE CAME OFF THE AXLE AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY. THIS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY BEARING. KAUFMAN AGAIN REIMBURSED ME AFTER FIRST TRYING TO BLAME THE ORIGINAL REPAIR COMPANY THEY APPROVED ME TO GO TO FOR REPAIR. A WEEK LATER MY DRIVER NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS ON THE AXLE WAS BURNING WHILE DRIVING TO MISSISSIPPI. WHEN HE PULLED OVER HE REALIZED THE TIRE WASN'T SPINNING. THIS WAS DUE TO A LOCKED BRAKING SYSTEM. KAUFMAN PAID ONE LAST TIME AND MENTIONED THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE REPAIRING THE UNIT ALTHOUGH ALL REPAIRS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN APPROVED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. NOT EVEN A WEEK AFTER THIS REPAIR, THE TIRE CAME OFF AGAIN WHILE HEADING OUT OF TOWN ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS WAS DUE TO A WARPED BEARING HUB. KAUFMAN MADE ME PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT KAUFMAN DOES NOT MANUFACTURE ITS OWN AXLES. I WAS NEVER TOLD THIS PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE MANUFACTURER, LIPPERT, HAS FILED RECALL AFTER RECALL FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS FOR ALL OF THESE ISSUES. I BELIEVE KAUFMAN IS WELL AWARE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING FAULTY PARTS ON THEIR TRAILER AND TRYING TO ABSOLVE THEMSELVES THROUGH THE USE OF NHTSA RECALL STANDARDS.

NHTSA ID
10914092
Incident
Jun 21, 2016
Mileage
8,500 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kaufman Mini Car Hauler by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016Viewing120—
2015020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.