Component

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

206 NHTSA complaints about equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer issues across 37 makes and 144 models.

The equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 206 filings from 37 manufacturers and 144 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 16 crashes, 6 fires, 34 injuries, and 1 fatality. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the JEEP LIBERTY with 6 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and FORD EXPEDITION. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

206
Complaints
144
Models Affected
16
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 JEEP LIBERTY 6
2 FORD F-150 5
3 FORD EXPEDITION 5
4 RAM PROMASTER 4
5 FORD RANGER 4
6 FORD EXPLORER 4
7 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN 3
8 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3
9 FORD F-350 3
10 FORD E-450 3
11 DODGE DURANGO 3
12 CHEVROLET TAHOE 3
13 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3
14 CHEVROLET COBALT 3
15 VOLVO VN770 2
16 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2
17 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2
18 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2
19 TOYOTA SIENNA 2
20 SATURN ION 2
21 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2
22 PONTIAC G6 2
23 NISSAN TITAN 2
24 NISSAN SENTRA 2
25 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 4500 2
26 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500 2
27 JEEP WRANGLER 2-DR 4X4 2
28 HONDA ACCORD 2
29 FORD WINDSTAR 2
30 FORD FOCUS 2

Recent Complaints

2021 FORD F-550 SD

I stopped at a campground after leaving SC. Discovered a Thor factory solar panel had detached somewhere between SC and Arkansas. The mounting bracket was still attached to the roof but the bolts, w

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500

Following Jayco and Entegra instructions, I delivered my coach to Blue Compass RV. It has now been more than SIX MONTHS out of service. Jayco Pre-Authorization has denied the required battery replacem

2020 FORD F-53

The contact owns a 2021 Fleetwood Flair built on a 2020 Ford F-53 Chassis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V607000 (Structure); and was informed by the dealer advised tha

2022 FORD F-450 SD

Gatormade gooseneck trailers equipped with electric over hydraulic disc brakes will loose trailer connection to ford trucks model years 2022+ and some newer GM trucks upon restart of the vehicle resul

2020 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 4500

The contact owns a 2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 4500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V695000 (Structure, Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavaila

2019 RAM PROMASTER

Unintended rapid deployment of the awning after pulling into a rest area. Had to climb up a ladder to manually retract the awning and duct tape the damaged awning to the rail. This could have happene

2023 KIA TELLURIDE

I purchased a 2023 Kia Telluride for a family vacation tow vehicle. Spec's call out 5000 lb towing capacity and "pre-wired" for a trailer. Problem is, pre-wired means a connector in the back of the

2011 FORD F-350

Annual inspection of the Progress Manufacturing Equal-I-Zer (model number 90-02-1200) steel head assembly revealed cracks in the welds holding the two steel plates that support the spring bar sockets

2021 RAM PROMASTER

While driving Highway 95 in Bullhead City, AZ the awning deployed. I heard a very large noise and the BMPro making a noise as if the awning button was being pressed. I was in the middle lane of the

2020 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 2500

Upon starting the engine to leave camp spot in middle of nowhere, the awning motor started extending outward on it's own very loudly and extended all the way. It would not go back in. Had to manually

2021 RAM PROMASTER

While driving my winnebago Travato, we heard a sudden loud noise from the passenger side. We immediately stopped the van in the middle of the street, looked out the side and noticed that our awning wa

2017 FORD E-450

The contact owns a 2018 Jayco Greyhawk built on a 2017 Ford E-450 chassis. The contact stated that the hydraulic tank was leaking fluid onto the ground. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was dia

2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 4500

Awning operation and lights are controlled by switchs in vehicle and/or app. Intermittently switchs will not work. Awing sometimes stutters when deployed. So far we have been able to fully retract. We

2019 RAM PROMASTER

The Carefree motorized awning self-deployed at highway speeds (approximately 45 mph). The vinyl awning material sheared from the metal end bar deploying it as a flying projectile. One of the support

2021 FORD F-53

The contact owns a 2022 Tiffin 36 LA RV built on a 2021 Ford F-53 chassis. The contact stated while the RV was parked, the hydraulic slides opened independently to 4-6 inches. The contact closed the h

2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER (VS30)

The contact owns a 2020 Tiffin Wayfarer Motorhome built on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500/4500 chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-65 MPH, the water tank fell onto the

2021 FORD F-150

when connecting my truck to a know working trailer the truck would not enable the trailer brakes. tried different vehicle and the brakes work fine.

2020 FORD F-350 Crash

FIFTH WHEEL ANDERSEN ULTIMATE HITCH SYSTEM FAILED WHILE WE WERE HAULING OUR UNIT. HITCH BROKE AND SAFETY CHAINS ALSO BROKE. UNIT WAS BLOWN OFF THE TRUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE BALL T

2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500

CURRENT ISSUE AND PAST PROBLEMS WITH THE PROPANE SYSTEM. ON MY 2015 WINNEBAGO ERA. IT CONTINUES TO VENT ENTIRE PROPANE TANK INSPIT OF THREE PRIOR ATTEMPTS BY WINNABAGO DEALERS EFFORTS TO FIX PROBLEM.

2015 JEEP WRANGLER

AFTER HAVING THE CHRYSLER JEEP MOPAR PERFORMANCE PART# 77072353AB_FS INSTALLED BY A JEEP DEALER, THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT I HAVE DISCOVERED. WITH JEEP VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN LIFTED USING THE OE

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer issues?
The NHTSA has received 206 complaints about equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer problems across 144 vehicle models from 37 manufacturers.
How dangerous are equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer defects?
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER issues have been linked to 16 crashes, 6 fires, 34 injuries, and 1 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer issues is the JEEP LIBERTY with 6 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

Verify with FDA →