Recall 15V588 covers 165 2016 Stealth trailers for wheel studs that break and let a wheel detach. Repair is free at any franchised Stealth dealer.
Stealth is recalling 165 2016 trailers, including Liberty Limited Edition, Car Hauler Express, and Yukon models, because wheel studs used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs can break. If the studs break, a wheel can detach and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Stealth makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The axle assembly supports the trailer and gives each wheel hub a fixed mounting point. On 2016 Stealth trailers, the wheel studs are threaded posts pressed into the hub. The lug nuts tighten onto those studs, clamping the wheel against the hub so it stays centered and secure while the trailer rolls.
The problem is in certain axle hubs supplied through Lippert with Tru Ryde hubs. The studs were weakened by tempered martensitic embrittlement, a heat-treatment condition that leaves metal too brittle for the load it must carry. When the lug nut is tightened, the stud is at risk of breaking instead of holding the wheel firmly to the hub.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign is when final torque is placed on the lug nut and the stud breaks, so an owner does not get a driving symptom first.
Who's affected?
The listed trailer lines share the same rear suspension component, so the scope is broader than one model name.
| 2016 Stealth Liberty Limited Edition | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2016 Stealth Car Hauler Express | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Coldshore | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Liberty | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Phantom I | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Prowler | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Intruder | rear suspension |
| 2016 Qualitec Yukon | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Titan Se | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Gooseneck | rear suspension |
| 2016 Qualitec Gooseneck | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Viper | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Super-Lite | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Predator | rear suspension |
| 2016 Stealth Titan | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 165 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and trailer model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Broken wheel studs can let a wheel detach from the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before final torque is placed on the nut, so schedule the recall work soon and avoid extra trips until it is handled. Repair will be free at any franchised Stealth dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Stealth trailer, including Liberty Limited Edition, Car Hauler Express, Coldshore, Liberty, Phantom I, Prowler, Intruder, Yukon, Titan Se, Gooseneck, Viper, Super-Lite, Predator, or Titan, is included in this recall.
- Watch for Stealth's owner notice and keep it with your trailer records.
- Call Stealth customer service at 1-574-848-5900 to ask when the free wheel-hub replacement is ready for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 15V588 when you call or speak with a Stealth dealer.
- Avoid towing the trailer until Stealth confirms the wheel-hub repair, because broken wheel studs can let a wheel detach.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still listed as under development, so wait for Stealth or the dealer to confirm that the remedy is open before scheduling. Once available, a Stealth technician will replace any affected wheel hub. Parts and labor are covered by the recall. Stealth has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for a wheel hub repair tied to this recall, contact Stealth customer service and ask how that plan handles prior repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 23, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 23, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| October 23, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 23, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 23, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 19, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V588?
Recall 15V588 covers 165 model year 2016 Stealth and Qualitec trailers with wheel studs that can break at the axle hubs. If the studs break, a wheel can detach and increase crash risk. Stealth dealers will replace any affected wheel hub for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Stealth trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included in recall 15V588. If it is, contact a franchised Stealth dealer or Stealth customer service at 1-574-848-5900 to arrange the free wheel hub replacement. Reference recall number 15V588 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Stealth's recall remedy says dealers will replace any affected wheel hub free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost, regardless of where you bought the trailer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel separation. The affected wheel studs can break where the wheel attaches to the axle hub, allowing the wheel to detach from the trailer and increasing the risk of a crash. The repair path is the free wheel hub replacement under recall 15V588.
What if I bought this trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner, so a used 2016 Stealth trailer still gets the covered repair if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Stealth dealer with recall number 15V588.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V588000 |
|---|---|
| Stealth customer service | 1-574-848-5900 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V588 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V588000 |
Source documents
-
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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →