Recall answer
How are RV recall notices mailed, and how do I update my address?
A vehicle recall letter goes by first-class mail to the owner the manufacturer can find on the state registration. If you have moved or bought the RV, that record needs your name and your current address. The letter for your VIN is the one to read. This page is not legal advice. Read the recall letter for your VIN, and ask the manufacturer named in that letter if you are unsure.
1. First-class mail, within 60 days of the report
49 CFR 577.7 says a motor-vehicle manufacturer sends the owner notice by first-class mail. The letter goes to each person registered under state law as the owner, when the name and address are reasonably ascertainable through state records or other sources available to the manufacturer. If the manufacturer cannot reasonably find that owner, it notifies the most recent purchaser it knows. The notice is due no later than 60 days after the manufacturer files the defect report under 49 CFR part 573. NHTSA's booklet says the names of vehicle owners come from state motor vehicle offices.
49 CFR 577.5 says the outside of the envelope is marked SAFETY RECALL NOTICE, in capital letters and in type larger than the address. The letter opens with IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL. For a vehicle, it says the notice applies to your vehicle and includes the VIN. NHTSA's recalls page says manufacturers notify registered owners by first-class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA, and it says to register your vehicle, tires, car seats, and equipment and to check recalls twice a year.
2. If the letter does not arrive
NHTSA's booklet says that if you do not receive a letter and you think the vehicle might be in a campaign, call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or 800-424-9393, use the VIN lookup, or contact the manufacturer or a dealer. NHTSA's resources page says a VIN search shows an unrepaired recall when one is on file, and it says to contact the manufacturer if you still have questions. The lookup is https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Ford says that if a program is announced, Ford notifies the last owner of record by mail. Ford also says recall letters are mailed to the vehicle's last known registered owner within 60 days of the recall being issued. That is Ford's description of Ford letters. An RV letter can come from a different company.
A Grand Design owner letter filed with NHTSA for campaign 25V-119 says registered owners will be notified by mail. It asks a person who no longer owns the trailer to notify Grand Design by phone at 574-825-9679, by fax at 574-825-9249, or by email at registration@granddesignrv.com, and to include the 17-digit VIN. Use the contact printed on the letter for your VIN. A phone number in one letter is not the contact for every brand.
3. Equipment mail, and a possible follow-up letter
49 CFR 577.7 says a replacement-equipment manufacturer sends its notice by first-class mail to the most recent purchaser known to that manufacturer. For a tire, the same rule says the notice goes by first-class or certified mail. NHTSA's booklet says equipment makers keep lists of owners who registered the product and use those lists when a recall starts. Register the tire or the other equipment with the company that made it, then search that product on NHTSA.
49 CFR 577.10 says NHTSA may direct a follow-up notice if quarterly reports or other information show that the first notice has not brought in an adequate number of vehicles or items for the remedy. The follow-up is required only for vehicles and equipment that have not been brought in. NHTSA may authorize media other than first-class mail for that follow-up. 49 USC 30119(e) allows the Secretary to order a second notice, and further steps to locate owners, when the response is not adequate.
Where to check
- NHTSA booklet on safety defects and recalls
- NHTSA recalls lookup
- 49 CFR 577.7, first-class mail
- 49 CFR 577.5, what the envelope and letter say
- 49 CFR 577.10, follow-up notice
- Grand Design owner letter for 25V-119, on file with NHTSA
- Ford: recall letters and the 60-day mail window
- How to check an RV or tow-vehicle VIN for recalls
- Latest recalls
- Recall and issue alerts
- Can I buy or sell a used RV or truck with an open recall?
- How do I find a recall on an RV part made by another company?
- Does my GMC Sierra 2500 have a recall?
- Does my Keystone Cougar have a recall?
- GMC recalls
- Keystone recalls
Questions people ask
- How are RV recall notices mailed?
- 49 CFR 577.7 says a motor-vehicle manufacturer sends the notice by first-class mail to the person registered under state law as the owner, when that name and address can be found through state records or other sources (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-577/section-577.7). The notice is due no later than 60 days after the defect report. NHTSA's booklet says those names come from state motor vehicle offices (https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2024-09/14218-MVSDefectsandRecalls_092524_v3-tag.pdf).
- How do I update my address or ownership?
- Keep the state registration in your name at the address where you get mail. That is the record 49 CFR 577.7 tells the manufacturer to use. Also tell the manufacturer named in the letter. A Grand Design letter on file with NHTSA for campaign 25V-119 asks a former owner to contact Grand Design and include the VIN (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCONL-25V119-1548.pdf). Ford says it mails the last known registered owner (https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/recall/recalls-and-faqs/is-there-a-recall-on-my-vehicle/).
- What if I never got a letter?
- Check the VIN at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's booklet says to call 888-327-4236 or 800-424-9393, use the VIN lookup, or contact the manufacturer or a dealer if you think the vehicle is in a campaign and no letter arrived (https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2024-09/14218-MVSDefectsandRecalls_092524_v3-tag.pdf). A missing letter does not close the campaign.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. This page explains the mailing rules and what two manufacturers tell their owners. It is not legal advice. Read the letter for your VIN.
Related answers
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