Recall 12V426 affects 34 2010-2012 Trails West recreational vehicles for overheating battery separators. Repair is free at any franchised Trails West dealer.
Trails West is recalling 34 2010-2012 Classic, Sierra, and Santa Fe recreational vehicles equipped with Sure Power battery separator devices because the separator can overheat. Overheating can lead to smoke or fire, and the Trails West dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Sure Power battery separator in these 2010-2012 Trails West Classic, Sierra, and Santa Fe recreational vehicles is part of the electrical equipment. Its job is to manage battery power so separate battery circuits can charge and isolate from each other when needed. That helps keep one battery load from draining another part of the system.
On affected vehicles, the separator is the part named in the recall because it overheats. Trails West identified the failure as overheating in the separator, without a separate root-cause detail in the filing. The practical problem is heat building in an electrical device that sits between battery power and the rest of the vehicle's equipment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall information does not list a smell, light, sound, or performance change that owners can rely on before the separator overheats.
Who's affected?
Classic, Sierra, and Santa Fe span the 2010, 2011, and 2012 model years, all tied to the Electrical component.
| 2011 Trails West Classic | Electrical |
|---|---|
| 2012 Trails West Sierra | Electrical |
| 2012 Trails West Classic | Electrical |
| 2011 Trails West Sierra | Electrical |
| 2010 Trails West Sierra | Electrical |
| 2011 Trails West Santa Fe | Electrical |
| Units affected | 34 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Battery separator overheating can cause smoke and possible fire. There is no warning sign listed before failure, so confirm your VIN and arrange the recall repair before relying on the trailer's battery system. Repair will be free at any franchised Trails West dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2012 Trails West Classic, Sierra, or Santa Fe is included in this recall.
- Call Trails West at 1-208-852-2200 if you never received the owner notice mailed on September 18, 2012.
- Ask Trails West about the free Sure Power battery-separator replacement that fixes the overheating electrical device.
- Reference recall number 12V426 when you call or schedule service.
- Keep the RV away from enclosed storage and ignition sources if you see smoke, smell heat, or suspect the battery separator is overheating.
What happens at the repair
Trails West's remedy says owners were notified and Sure Power replaces the overheating battery separators free of charge. The safety recall began on September 18, 2012. Because the current remedy status is not listed in this section data, start by asking a Trails West dealer or service desk to confirm the open repair path for your VIN. Once the remedy is available for that VIN, the separator replacement is covered under the recall.
Timeline
| August 30, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V426?
Recall 12V426 covers 34 Trails West recreational vehicles equipped with Sure Power battery separator devices that can overheat. The affected 2010-2012 Classic, Sierra, and Santa Fe vehicles need the battery separator replaced free of charge.
What should I do if my 2010-2012 Trails West Classic, Sierra, or Santa Fe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 12V426. If it is, contact a franchised Trails West dealer or Trails West at 1-208-852-2200 and ask about the free battery separator replacement.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Trails West and Sure Power listed the battery separator replacement as free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, so parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The battery separator can overheat, which can create smoke and a fire risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free replacement and ask Trails West or the dealer how to handle the vehicle until the repair is complete.
When did the Trails West recall repair start?
The safety recall began on September 18, 2012. If your 2010-2012 Trails West Classic, Sierra, or Santa Fe never received the repair, the recall still follows the vehicle, so check your VIN and ask about recall 12V426 when you call.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V426000 |
|---|---|
| Trails West customer service | 1-208-852-2200 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V426 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V426000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →