Recall 13V301 affects 49 2014 Lakota Charger and Bighorn trailers for awning motor screws that can shear. Dometic replaces affected motors free.
Lakota is recalling 49 2014 Charger and Bighorn recreational trailers because a design change in the power awning motor assembly can shear the assembly screws. If the motor is damaged, the awning can unfurl while parked or in transit, which increases the risk of personal injury or a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The power awning motor assembly on the 2014 Lakota Charger and Bighorn is the electric drive that moves the trailer awning in and out. Its mounting screws keep the motor assembly fixed in place while the awning operates, so the motor can pull the awning fabric and arms without shifting.
On affected trailers, a design change in that motor assembly puts the screws at risk of shearing. A sheared screw has broken across its shaft, which means the fastener no longer holds the motor assembly the way it was designed to. Once that happens, the awning system loses part of the hardware support it depends on during operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not told to watch for a sound, light, or movement change before the screws break.
Who's affected?
The Charger and Bighorn share the same listed equipment component for this recall.
| 2014 Lakota Charger | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2014 Lakota Bighorn | Equipment |
| Units affected | 49 |
A matching 2014 Lakota Charger or Bighorn does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Motor damage can let the awning unfurl unexpectedly while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash. Because the repair instructions tell owners to keep the vehicle off the road until work is performed, arrange service before another trip. Repair will be free at any franchised Lakota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 Lakota Charger or Bighorn is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the trailer until the power-awning motor repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the trailer has to be moved for service; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact Lakota at 1-574-848-1636 to schedule the awning-motor replacement that fixes the screw-shear defect and helps keep the awning from unfurling.
- Bring the recall notice if Lakota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V301 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the trailer until the repair is complete. Lakota's repair path is for Dometic staff to replace the affected power awning motors with motors of a different design. The source notice says owners were notified after the recall began during September 2013, but the current remedy status is not listed here, so do not assume a dealer appointment is open from this section alone. Once the final repair is available for your VIN, parts and labor are free under the recall.
Timeline
| July 15, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 18, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V301?
Recall 13V301 covers 49 2014 Lakota Charger and Bighorn recreational trailers with power awning motor assemblies whose screws can shear. If the motor is damaged, the awning can unfurl unexpectedly at rest or in transit, increasing injury or crash risk.
What should I do if my 2014 Lakota Charger or Bighorn is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 13V301. If it is, contact Lakota at 1-574-848-1636 and ask how to arrange the Dometic motor replacement. Lakota's recall instructions tell owners to keep the trailer off the road until repairs are performed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 13V301, Lakota will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected awning motors with motors of a different design.
Is it safe to tow my Lakota trailer before the repair?
Lakota's recall instructions tell owners to keep the vehicle off the road until repairs are performed. The awning can unfurl unexpectedly if motor damage occurs, including during transit, which increases injury or crash risk.
What if I bought this Lakota trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2014 Lakota Charger or Bighorn is included, then reference recall 13V301 when you contact Lakota.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V301000 |
|---|---|
| Lakota customer service | 1-574-848-1636 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V301 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V301000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →