(KNWA/KFTA) — Over 145,000 trailer hitch locks have been recalled over a loose part that may cause loads to become detached from their towing vehicles, federal officials said.

According to a notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last week, Horizon Global is recalling some of its Reese hitch receiver locks because of a manufacturing error.

The cap on the receiver lock can lose retention over time or under certain circumstances, the notice explains, which could cause the lock to loosen and separate from the pin. Should that happen, the vehicle and whatever it is hitched to may separate if the vehicle is not using safety chains as required in most states, Horizon said.

The affected Reese products were produced between September 19, 2019, and June 10, 2024, and have the following part numbers: 7057030, 7057230, 7057033, 7054630, and 7057130.

Early last year, Horizon said it received a report that a receiver lock had become detached and caused “minor property damage,” which sparked an investigation by the company. It found that the lock had been made using a two-piece design instead of a single-piece design and that a “sub-par thread adhesive” had been used.

While no additional issue reports were received, Horizon said the recall of the hitch locks listed above was ordered “out of an abundance of caution.”

NHTSA said dealers will replace the hitch receiver locks for free. Owners of the locks are expected to receive notification letters that will be mailed on February 5, according to the notice.

Owners may contact Horizon Global customer service at 1-248-593-8810 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.