Recall 13V368 covers 4 2013 Kiefer Horse Trailer trailers with awning motor screws that can shear. Kiefer dealers installed redesigned motors for free.
Kiefer is recalling 4 2013 Horse Trailer units because a design change in the Dometic-brand power awning motor assembly can shear the motor assembly screws. If the screws shear, the awning can unfurl while parked or in transit, raising the risk of personal injury or a crash, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The power awning on the 2013 Kiefer Horse Trailer uses a Dometic-brand motor assembly to extend and retract the awning. The motor assembly turns the awning mechanism, while its mounting screws keep that motor fixed in position so the awning moves under control. Those screws are small parts, but they hold the powered hardware in place.
In this recall, a design change in the Dometic motor assembly left the assembly screws able to shear without the owner knowing. When a screw shears, it breaks across its shank instead of staying intact. That leaves the motor assembly less secure, so the awning hardware no longer stays fastened the way it was designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall summary does not identify a noise, light, visible crack, or other owner-noticeable symptom before the screws shear.
Who's affected?
Covers horse trailers sold under Kiefer, Elite, Platinum, and Adam names, all tied to the same equipment component.
| 2013 Kiefer Horse Trailer | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2013 Elite Horse Trailer | Equipment |
| 2013 Platinum Horse Trailer | Equipment |
| 2013 Adam Horse Trailer | Equipment |
| Units affected | 4 |
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?
If the motor assembly screws shear, the awning can unfurl unexpectedly while parked or in transit. That creates a risk of personal injury and a vehicle crash. Keep the awning secured, inspect it before travel, and schedule service soon if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Kiefer dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Kiefer Horse Trailer is included in this recall.
- Call Kiefer at 1-574-206-9610 to confirm the owner notice and the free awning-motor remedy for recall number 13V368.
- Ask where to take the trailer for the Dometic awning-motor replacement that fixes the shearing screw risk.
- Secure the awning before towing if the repair has not been completed.
- Bring any recall notice or prior repair paperwork when you contact Kiefer or the repair location.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kiefer technician replaces the Dometic-brand power awning motor assembly with a new motor of a different design. The repair path for campaign 13V368 is a dealer motor replacement, with parts and labor covered by the recall. Because the remedy status is not listed as available in this filing, confirm the appointment with the dealer before traveling. The final dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| August 14, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| August 20, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V368?
Recall 13V368 covers 4 model year 2013 horse trailers with Dometic-brand power awning motor assemblies. A design change can let the motor assembly screws shear, allowing the awning to unfurl unexpectedly while parked or in transit. Kiefer dealers installed new motors free of charge.
What should I do if my 2013 Kiefer Horse Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 13V368. If it is, contact a franchised Kiefer dealer and reference recall number 13V368. The remedy is a replacement awning motor of a different design, installed free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 13V368 is free. Kiefer dealers installed replacement awning motors of a different design, with parts and labor covered.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an awning that unfurls unexpectedly. If the motor assembly screws shear, the awning can open while the trailer is parked or moving, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free dealer repair if the trailer is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V368000 |
|---|---|
| Kiefer customer service | 1-574-206-9610 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V368 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V368000 |
Source documents
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 →