Recall answer
Is it safe to use or tow an RV with an open recall?
There is no single answer for every open recall. The letter for your VIN has to describe the risk and any precautions to take before the repair. Some letters tell you to limit driving or towing, or to park away from buildings. Others do not. 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. Read the precautions in the letter
49 CFR 577.5 says the owner letter must include any precautions you should take to reduce the chance the problem happens before the repair. It also must evaluate the risk. When a crash is possible, the letter must say whether the defect can cause a crash without warning, or describe the warning and say that a crash can occur if the warning is not heeded. When a crash is not the risk, the letter must describe the type of injury that can result and any warning that may come first.
NHTSA's recalls page says that when you receive a notification, you should follow any interim safety guidance from the manufacturer and contact a dealer to fix the recalled part for free (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). The guidance in your letter is the instruction for that campaign. A model-year page cannot clear the RV for a trip.
2. Some campaigns say to park outside
NHTSA's recall record can include a park-outside warning. When that warning is on a campaign, RigFix shows Park outside on the campaign. That mark is about the campaign NHTSA has on file. It is not proof your VIN is included, and a campaign without that mark is not a clearance to keep using the RV.
The letter can also tell you not to drive, or not to tow, until the repair. Those words, when the manufacturer includes them, are the precautions required by 49 CFR 577.5. Do not guess from the model name. Read the letter, then confirm the VIN at NHTSA.
3. The truck and the trailer are separate
An open recall on the tow vehicle and an open recall on the trailer are different campaigns. Either letter can include a precaution about use. NHTSA's resources page says a VIN search shows an unrepaired recall when one is on file for that VIN, and it says to contact the manufacturer if you still have questions. If the letter is silent and you are unsure whether to tow, call the manufacturer named in the letter or the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. A buyer of a used RV or truck should run that same VIN check. If the letter says the parts are not ready, follow the interim guidance in the letter until the remedy is available.
Where to check
- NHTSA recalls lookup
- NHTSA investigations and recalls
- 49 CFR 577.5, precautions and risk
- How to check an RV or tow-vehicle VIN for recalls
- Latest recalls
- Recall and issue alerts
- What if a dealer will not do an RV recall repair?
- How do I report an RV or truck safety defect to NHTSA?
- What if the parts for an RV recall are not available?
- Can I buy or sell a used RV or truck with an open recall?
- What recalls affect Ram 2500 and 3500 for towing?
- Does my Ford F-350 crew cab have a recall?
- Does my Grand Design Imagine have a recall?
- Ram recalls
Questions people ask
- Is it safe to use or tow an RV with an open recall?
- It depends on the letter for your VIN. 49 CFR 577.5 says that letter must state any precautions to take before the repair, and it must evaluate the risk (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-577/section-577.5). NHTSA's recalls page says to follow any interim safety guidance in the notification (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). This page cannot clear a particular RV to tow.
- What if the letter says to park outside or not to drive?
- Follow that instruction. 49 CFR 577.5 requires the letter to state precautions, if the manufacturer has them, that reduce the chance the problem happens before the repair. When NHTSA's record includes a park-outside warning, RigFix shows it on that campaign. Confirm the VIN at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. A warning on a model year is not proof your VIN is included.
- Does an open recall on the model year mean my VIN is included?
- No. Check the VIN at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's resources page says a VIN search shows an unrepaired recall when one is on file for that VIN, and it says to contact the manufacturer if you still have questions (https://www.nhtsa.gov/resources-investigations-recalls).
- Who should I ask if the letter is unclear?
- Ask the manufacturer named in the letter. You can also call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. This page is not legal advice, and it is not a safety clearance for your trip.
Related answers
- How to check an RV or tow-vehicle VIN for recalls
- Who pays for an RV recall repair?
- What if a dealer will not do an RV recall repair?
- What is the difference between a recall, a warranty, and a technical service bulletin?
- Can I get reimbursed if I already paid for a repair that was later recalled?
- How do I report an RV or truck safety defect to NHTSA?
- Do RV recalls expire?
- Can I buy or sell a used RV or truck with an open recall?
- What if the parts for an RV recall are not available?
- How do I find a recall on an RV part made by another company?
- How long does an RV recall repair take, and which dealer can do it?
- How are RV recall notices mailed, and how do I update my address?
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