Recall 13V363 covers 125 2013 Bison Coach Stratus, Trail Express, Trail Hand, and Traveler trailers for awnings that can unfurl. Free dealer repair.
Bison Coach recall 13V363 covers 125 2013 Stratus Lite, Stratus Express, Trail Express, Stratus, Trail Hand, and Traveler recreational trailers because screws in the Dometic power awning motor assembly can shear. If the screws shear, the awning can unfurl while parked or in transit, which increases the risk of injury or a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The power awning motor assembly on affected 2013 Bison Coach Stratus Lite, Stratus Express, Trail Express, Stratus, Trail Hand, and Traveler recreational trailers drives the awning in and out. The motor turns the awning hardware, and its mounting screws hold the motor assembly in position so the awning stays controlled while it moves.
The problem is in the Dometic brand power awning motor assembly. After a design change, the motor assembly screws can shear, which means the screw heads or shafts break instead of holding the assembly tight. When that happens, the motor assembly no longer has the support it needs, and the awning mechanism is not secured the way it was designed to be.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not told to watch for a sound, warning light, or visible change before the screws shear, so the issue depends on the recall repair rather than on catching a symptom first.
Who's affected?
Covers six Bison Coach trailer models from the 2013 model year, all under the same equipment recall.
| 2013 Bison Coach Stratus Lite | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2013 Bison Coach Stratus Express | Equipment |
| 2013 Bison Coach Trail Express | Equipment |
| 2013 Bison Coach Stratus | Equipment |
| 2013 Bison Coach Trail Hand | Equipment |
| 2013 Bison Coach Traveler | Equipment |
| Units affected | 125 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
An awning motor screw failure can let the awning unfurl while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash. Keep the vehicle parked until the repair is performed and contact the dealer for next steps. Repair will be free at any franchised Bison Coach dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Bison Coach Stratus Lite, Stratus Express, Trail Express, Stratus, Trail Hand, or Traveler is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the trailer until the affected Dometic-brand power awning motor is replaced.
- Arrange a tow if the trailer has to be moved for service; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Bison Coach dealer to confirm the repair path for the free awning-motor replacement that prevents the awning from unfurling unexpectedly.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 13V363 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the trailer until the awning motor repair is complete. Once the repair is available, a Bison Coach service technician can coordinate the recall work, and Dometic staff will replace the affected power awning motors with motors of a different design. The recall covers the motor assembly issue that lets the screws shear without the owner knowing. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| August 15, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 16, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V363?
Recall 13V363 covers 125 2013 Bison Coach Stratus Lite, Stratus Express, Trail Express, Stratus, Trail Hand, and Traveler recreational trailers with Dometic power awning motor assembly screws that can shear. If the screws shear, the awning can unfurl unexpectedly and increase crash or injury risk.
What should I do if my 2013 Bison Coach Stratus Lite, Stratus Express, Trail Express, Stratus, Trail Hand, or Traveler is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 13V363. If it is, contact a franchised Bison Coach dealer, Navistar at 1-331-332-1590, or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 and ask how to get the awning motor replaced.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall remedy at no cost. For recall 13V363, Dometic staff will replace the affected awning motors with motors of a different design, and parts and labor are covered.
What is the safety risk with this Bison Coach awning recall?
The safety risk is an awning that unfurls unexpectedly while the trailer is parked or in transit. An awning that opens without warning can injure someone near the trailer or create a crash risk on the road. Reference recall 13V363 when you call for service.
When did the recall repair start?
The recall began on September 16, 2013, so the remedy has been open for years. If you own one of these 2013 Bison Coach models now, check your VIN and ask the dealer or recall contact whether the awning motor replacement was already completed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V363000 |
|---|---|
| Bison Coach customer service | 1-331-332-1590 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V363 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V363000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 →