Trailer Hitches
Trailer Hitches is named in 724 complaint component mentions since 1995, 0.5 of every 1,000 across the whole file, peaking in 2000 with 80.
416 NHTSA recall campaigns cite a component in this group. The model line with the most complaint mentions is the Utility Trailer (8, 74.8 per 1,000 of that line's mentions).
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
Model lines reported most
| Model line | Mentions | Per 1,000 of the line's mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Utility Trailer | 8 | 74.8 |
| Carriage Carri Lite | 5 | 178.6 |
| Holiday Rambler Imperial | 3 | 103.4 |
| Jayco Designer | 3 | 71.4 |
| 4-Star Trailers Horse Trailer | 2 | 142.9 |
| Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 | 2 | 20 |
| Coachmen Mirada | 2 | 64.5 |
| Fleetwood Flair | 2 | 29.9 |
| Fleetwood Prowler | 2 | 16.7 |
| International Harvester 9200 | 2 | 133.3 |
| Keystone Cougar | 2 | 12.8 |
| Keystone Montana | 2 | 14.5 |
| Mack CXU | 2 | 400 |
| Monon Trailer | 2 | 250 |
| National RV Rage'n | 2 | 200 |
| Newmar Mountain Aire | 2 | 29.9 |
| Pilgrim Open Road | 2 | 117.6 |
| Volvo VNM | 2 | 181.8 |
| Airstream International CCD | 1 | 83.3 |
| Airstream XC | 1 | 1,000 |
| Alfa Gold | 1 | 125 |
| Bloomer Evolution | 1 | 250 |
| Cobra Sierra | 1 | 200 |
| Coleman Travel Trailer | 1 | 250 |
| Damon Hornet | 1 | 333.3 |
Fleet-wide reference: 0.5 per 1,000. Lines above that figure draw a larger share of their complaints from this component than the file as a whole.
Sub-components
| Description in the file | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Trailer Hitches | 635 |
| Fifth Wheel Assembly | 89 |
Mentions by year
Recalls by year
Recent recall campaigns citing trailer hitches
Defect, as filed: Light Boy America, Inc (Light Boy) is recalling certain 2020 and 2023 Light Boy GBX12SK light towers. The trailer frame may bend at the tow bar, causing the light tower to detach.
Consequence: A detach light tower can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new bracket or a reinforcement cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by October 31, 2026. Owners may contact Light Boy customer service at 1-800-421-1244.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Light Boy America,Inc.
Defect, as filed: Midwest Industries, Inc. (Midwest) is recalling certain 2027 Yamaha boat trailers. The tongue may fatigue and fail during towing, resulting in the trailer detaching.
Consequence: A detached trailer increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to tow their trailer until the repair has been completed. Dealer will replace the trailer tongue, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2026. Owners may contact Midwest customer service at 1-800-859-3028.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Midwest Industries, Inc..
Park outside advisory
Defect, as filed: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tucson vehicles equipped with an optional Mobis tow hitch wiring harness. The wiring harness may have been installed incorrectly, allowing water into the control module. Moisture accumulation may cause the trailer lighting to fail or an electrical short circuit.
Consequence: Nonfunctioning trailer lights can increase the risk of a crash. A short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will remove the trailer wiring harness and install a dust cap over the wiring receptacle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 290. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.
3 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America; manufacturer campaign 290.
Defect, as filed: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Consequence: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.
5 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.; manufacturer campaign SC359.
Defect, as filed: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Consequence: While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
6 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Ford Motor Company; manufacturer campaign 25SA3.
Defect, as filed: Reading Truck Body, LLC (Reading) is recalling certain 2023 Ram 4500 vehicles equipped with a Curt Hitch (P/N 15400). The trailer hitch may have been installed with too few mounting bolts, causing the assembly to loosen and detach.
Consequence: A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Reading will replace the hitch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 1, 2025. Owners may contact Reading's customer service at 1-610-775-3301.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Reading Truck Group LLC.
Defect, as filed: Orange EV is recalling certain 2024 HUSK-e, 2023-2025 e-TRIEVER, and 2017-2024 T-Series trucks. The pintle hook partially blocks the center of the backup lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Obstructed backup lights can reduce the vehicle's visibility to pedestrians or other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Orange EV service will replace the rear passenger taillight, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Orange EV customer service at 1-866-688-5223.
11 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Orange EV; manufacturer campaign 2025-SRC-03.
Defect, as filed: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.
Consequence: A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7225C.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations; manufacturer campaign 7225C.
Defect, as filed: Horizon Global (Horizon) is recalling certain Reese Hitch Receiver Locks with part numbers 7057030, 7057230, 7057033, 7054630, and 7057130. The cap on the receiver lock may become loose and separate from the pin.
Consequence: A separated cap can allow the hitch to separate, which may result in tow vehicle detachment and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hitch receiver locks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2025. Owners may contact Horizon Global customer service at 1-248-593-8810.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Horizon Global.
Defect, as filed: Great Dane Trailers (Great Dane) is recalling certain 2025 Champion Dry Freight trailers. Missing kingpin welds may prevent the upper coupler from securely connecting the trailer.
Consequence: An unsecure connect may allow the trailer to detach from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Great Dane will inspect and replace the upper couplers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may contact Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Great Dane Trailers.
Defect, as filed: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2025 Arcadia and Cougar trailers equipped with Curt Helux Pin Boxes. The pin box fasteners may have been improperly tightened.
Consequence: The fasteners can loosen and fall out, allowing the towed vehicle to detach from the pin box and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the pin box fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 24-459.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Keystone RV Company; manufacturer campaign 24-459.
Defect, as filed: Brinkley RV (Brinkley) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model Z Fifth Wheel trailers equipped with Curt Helux Pin Boxes. The pin box fasteners may have been improperly tightened.
Consequence: The fasteners can loosen and fall out, allowing the tow vehicle to detach from the pin box and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact Brinkley customer service at 1-574-501-4280. Brinkley's number for this recall is REC-2405.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Brinkley RV; manufacturer campaign REC-2405.
Defect, as filed: Lippert is recalling certain Curt Helux Pin Boxes, part numbers 2024032921, 2024032924, 2024032925 and 2024113005; installed in Lippert 5W Chassis. The pin box fasteners may have been improperly tightened.
Consequence: The fasteners can loosen and fall out, allowing the tow vehicle to detach from the pin box and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Lippert will work with the vehicle manufacturers to tighten the fasteners, free of charge. Vehicle manufacturers will notify their affected owners. Owners may contact Lippert at 1-574-538-4514.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Lippert.
Defect, as filed: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid vehicles equipped with a tow hitch cover attached to the rear bumper. The tow hitch cover may come loose from the bumper and detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A tow hitch cover that detaches can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow hitch cover and modify the rear bumper, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB10 and 24TA10.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing; manufacturer campaign 24TB10 / 24TA10.
Defect, as filed: OEM Systems, LLC (OEM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles. The rear bumper mounting bracket may not be sufficient for towing, which can allow the towed trailer to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A trailer that detaches from a vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: OEM will replace the rear bumper mounting bracket and hitch, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in August 2024. Owners may contact OEM customer service at 1-800-810-7252.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: OEM Systems, LLC.
Defect, as filed: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Salem, Puma, Wildwood, and 2025 Cherokee travel trailers equipped with certain Pacific Rim brand couplers. The couplers have an incorrect load rating of 14,000 pounds and may be overloaded, causing the hitch to fail.
Consequence: Hitch failure increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code of the hitch coupler and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at Salem & Wildwood (574) 534-3167, Puma (574) 642-0588 or Cherokee (260) 499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1803.
4 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Forest River, Inc.; manufacturer campaign 51-1803.
Defect, as filed: Oliver Travel Trailers, INC. (OTT) is recalling certain 2009-2024 Elite II trailers. The towing coupler may be under rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer.
Consequence: An underrated towing coupler can break, allowing the trailer to detach from the tow vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the towing coupler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2024. Owners may contact OTT customer service at 1-888-526-3978.
16 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Oliver Travel Trailers, INC..
Defect, as filed: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Cardinal and Wildcat Fifth Wheels trailers. The operator may utilize the rear towing hitch without locking the turning point fifth wheel hitch into the "Conventional Transport" position.
Consequence: Towing while in a different position can cause the upper front structure to break and the pin box to separate from the vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a warning label to the hitch and rear wall of the vehicle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1755.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Forest River, Inc.; manufacturer campaign 15-1755.
Defect, as filed: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sanibel SNF3550 and 2021-2023 Sanibel SNF3902WB fifth wheels. The hitch (pin box) may not be sufficient for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and may fail.
Consequence: Failure of the hitch increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a properly rated hitch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-862-1025. Forest River's number for this recall is 49-1737.
6 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Forest River, Inc.; manufacturer campaign 49-1737.
Defect, as filed: Vermeer Manufacturing Company (Vermeer) is recalling certain 2016-2024 BC1800XL brush chipper trailers. The tongue weldment may crack and separate from the tow hitch.
Consequence: A hitch separation can cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Vermeer will provide a remedy kit, integrating a new surge brake tongue into the tongue weldment, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2024. Owners may contact Vermeer customer service at 1-800-829-0051, ext. 7060. Vermeer's number for this recall is IK4524.
6 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Vermeer Manufacturing Company; manufacturer campaign IK4524.
Questions and answers
Which vehicles have the most complaints about trailer hitches?
By complaint mentions: Utility Trailer (8), Carriage Carri Lite (5), Holiday Rambler Imperial (3), Jayco Designer (3), 4-Star Trailers Horse Trailer (2). Raw counts reflect how many of each line are on the road as much as anything else; the per-1,000 column shows how large a share of that line's complaints the component takes.
How many recalls concern trailer hitches?
416 NHTSA campaigns list a component in this group; the 20 most recent are shown above.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall flat files, public domain, dated 15 May 2019 and 29 Sep 2026. Component groups are the first level of NHTSA's component taxonomy.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation flat files, public domain, dated 15 May 2019 (complaints) and 29 Sep 2026 (recalls). See the methodology.