Recall 15V753 covers 279 2015-2016 Trails West trailers with torsion axles that can separate. Repair is free at any franchised Trails West dealer.
Trails West is recalling 279 2015-2016 Classic, Santa Fe Ii, and other trailers equipped with 3500lb-capacity torsion model axles because a weld can fail and let the tire, wheel, hub, and torsion arm separate. That separation reduces trailer stability and increases crash risk; Trails West dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On affected 2015-2016 Trails West trailers, the rear axle uses a 3500 lb torsion axle. A torsion axle supports the trailer weight and lets each wheel move over bumps through a torsion arm assembly rather than leaf springs. The hub, wheel, and tire all depend on that arm staying locked to the axle assembly.
The defect is inside the torsion arm assembly. The inner bar, also called the dog bone attachment bar, was built to the wrong size, or the matching hole was too large. That poor fit leaves the weld and attachment point unable to hold the arm as designed. If it fails, the tire, wheel, hub, and torsion arm can separate from the trailer.
There is no warning sign before failure. Remedy parts are marked differently: the center section of the torsion arm has "HT-35" cast into it instead of "SMG", which helps distinguish the corrected axle parts from the recalled ones.
Who's affected?
Covers eight trailer model lines across the 2015 and 2016 model years, all involving the rear suspension.
| 2016 Trails West Classic | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2015 Trails West Classic Ii | rear suspension |
| 2016 Trails West Royale | rear suspension |
| 2015 Trails West Royale | rear suspension |
| 2016 Trails West Hot Shot | rear suspension |
| 2016 Trails West Classic Ii | rear suspension |
| 2015 Trails West Classic | rear suspension |
| 2015 Trails West Hot Shot | rear suspension |
| 2016 Trails West Santa Fe Ii | rear suspension |
| 2016 Trails West Sierra Select | rear suspension |
| 2015 Trails West Sierra Select | rear suspension |
| 2015 Trails West Santa Fe Ii | rear suspension |
| 2015 Trails West Sierra Ii | rear suspension |
| 2016 Trails West Sierra Ii | rear suspension |
| 2015 Trails West Sierra | rear suspension |
| 2016 Trails West Sierra | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 279 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A torsion arm separation can reduce vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign listed before failure, so drive cautiously and schedule the axle replacement soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Trails West dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Trails West Classic, Classic Ii, Royale, Hot Shot, Santa Fe Ii, Sierra Select, Sierra Ii, or Sierra trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Trails West dealer to schedule the free suspect-axle replacement that fixes the torsion-arm weld failure.
- Call Trails West customer service at 1-208-852-2200 if you need help finding a dealer, and reference recall number 15V753.
- Bring the recall notice if Trails West mailed one. If not, give the dealer the campaign number when you call.
- Avoid hauling cargo until the axle repair is complete; if you tow the trailer to the dealer, reduce speed and leave extra following distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Trails West technician checks the trailer for suspect 3500lb torsion axles and replaces any axle covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. If you've already paid out of pocket for an axle repair tied to this condition, Trails West handles documented claims through its general reimbursement plan. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit it under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 23, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 9, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V753?
Recall 15V753 covers 279 2015-2016 Trails West trailers equipped with 3500lb-capacity torsion model axles. The weld securing the torsion arm assembly can fail, allowing the tire, wheel, hub, and torsion arm to separate from the trailer and reducing vehicle stability.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Trails West Classic, Classic Ii, Royale, Hot Shot, Santa Fe Ii, Sierra Select, Sierra Ii, or Sierra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 15V753. If it is, contact a Trails West dealer or Trails West customer service at 1-208-852-2200 to arrange axle inspection and replacement of any suspect axle. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Trails West dealers will replace any suspect axles free of charge under recall 15V753. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the remedy at no cost when your trailer is included in the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of stability if the torsion arm separates from the trailer. The affected assembly includes the tire, wheel, hub, and torsion arm, so separation while towing increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN before towing and arrange the free dealer repair if included.
What if I bought this Trails West trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included, then give the dealer recall number 15V753 when you schedule the axle repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V753000 |
|---|---|
| Trails West customer service | 1-208-852-2200 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V753 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V753000 |
Source documents
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 →