Recall 15V253 affects 1,740 2015 Mastercraft Boat Trailer trailers for a swing-tongue-bolt defect. Repair is free at any franchised Mastercraft dealer.
Mastercraft is recalling 1,740 2015 Boat Trailer units because the trailer tongue bolt can fail, letting the swing tongue separate from the tow vehicle. If the trailer tongue disconnects, crash risk increases, and Mastercraft dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The swing tongue on a 2015 Mastercraft Boat Trailer is the hinged front section of the trailer that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle. Its bolt, pull pin, and bushings hold that hinge together so the tongue stays aligned with the hitch ball while the trailer is being pulled.
On affected trailers, the swing tongue bolt does not have the fatigue strength Mastercraft designed into the part. The bolt was not heat-treated enough by its supplier, and the original bolt used non-certified material with a drilled grease hole. Repeated towing loads can crack and break the bolt. If it fails, the swing tongue can separate from the tow ball.
Mastercraft reported no warning sign before failure. There is no warning sign before failure, so an owner should not expect noise, looseness, or another clear symptom before the tongue bolt breaks.
Who's affected?
| 2015 Mastercraft Boat Trailer | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,740 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
Not every 2015 Mastercraft Boat Trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the trailer tongue disconnects from the tow vehicle, the trailer can separate and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the trailer tongue bolt fails, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mastercraft dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Mastercraft Boat Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mastercraft dealer to schedule the free swing tongue bolt and hardware replacement that keeps the trailer tongue secured to the tow vehicle.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 15V253 and Mastercraft recall RC-01 or RC-02 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the repair is complete if the swing tongue bolt or hardware is loose, damaged, or missing.
- Call Mastercraft customer service at 1-423-884-2221 with questions about scheduling or recall coverage.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mastercraft technician replaces the swing tongue bolt and any related hardware that needs replacement. Parts and labor are covered under recall 15V253, and the dealer repair is free. If you already paid out of pocket for a related swing tongue bolt or trailer hardware repair, Mastercraft's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and payment records to the service desk when you ask about reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 21, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 27, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 28, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| May 11, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V253?
Recall 15V253 covers 1,740 2015 Mastercraft Boat Trailer units with a trailer hitch defect. The trailer tongue bolt can fail, allowing the swing tongue to disengage from the tow ball and increasing crash risk. Mastercraft dealers replace the swing tongue bolt and related hardware for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Mastercraft Boat Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 15V253. If it is, contact a franchised Mastercraft dealer to schedule replacement of the swing tongue bolt and hardware. Reference recall number 15V253 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mastercraft's remedy says dealers will replace the swing tongue bolt and hardware free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Mastercraft dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is trailer separation. If the tongue bolt fails, the trailer swing tongue can disengage from the tow ball of the vehicle. That separation increases the risk of a crash, so confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair if your trailer is included.
When did the Mastercraft trailer recall begin?
The recall began on May 11, 2015. Mastercraft notified owners and directed dealers to replace the swing tongue bolt and hardware as needed. If you own a used trailer and never received a notice, check your VIN and call Mastercraft customer service at 1-423-884-2221.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V253000 |
|---|---|
| Mastercraft customer service | 1-423-884-2221 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V253 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V253000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →