Recall 16V072 affects 10 2015-2016 Barrett P gooseneck trailers with upper couplers rated below assigned GVWR. Repair will be free through Barrett once available.
Barrett is recalling 10 2015-2016 P gooseneck trailers because the upper coupler section is rated for 25,000lbs while the trailer GVWR is over 25,000lbs. Loading past 25,000lbs puts the upper coupler at risk of failure, which can separate the trailer from the tow vehicle and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Barrett opens it.
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What's wrong?
The upper coupler on a 2015-2016 Barrett P gooseneck trailer is the front hitch structure that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle. It carries the trailer load through the gooseneck connection, so its rating has to match the weight rating assigned to the trailer.
On affected trailers, the upper coupler section was rated for 25,000lbs, while the trailer was assigned a GVWR over 25,000lbs. That mismatch came from an engineering oversight. Under load stress, the lower-rated coupler and its attachment points can fatigue at the welds. The coupler section can also bend because the trailer rating exceeds what that upper coupler was designed to carry.
Owners can see bending at the upper coupler or stress around the welds where the coupler attaches. The filing also warns that failure can happen without an obvious warning sign.
Who's affected?
Covers the P model across 2015 and 2016, with trailer hitches listed for both model years.
| 2015 Barrett P | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| 2016 Barrett P | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 10 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
If the trailer is loaded past 25,000 lbs, load stress can fatigue welds or bend the upper coupler. A failed upper coupler can separate the trailer from the tow vehicle and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so keep loads within the rated limit and schedule the repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Barrett dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Barrett P trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Barrett customer service at 1-608-873-2500 to confirm whether the free repair is open for your trailer.
- Ask whether your trailer needs a dealer replacement of the upper-coupler slide-in inner tube or a return to the manufacturer for upper-coupler replacement.
- Reference recall number 16V072 when you call or schedule service.
- Avoid loading the trailer past 25,000lbs until the upper-coupler repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the final repair is available, a Barrett technician will check the trailer's GVWR and match the repair to that rating. Depending on the rating, the dealer will replace the upper coupler slide-in inner tube, or the trailer will be sent back to the manufacturer for upper coupler replacement. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. Barrett has a standard reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related upper coupler repair. Keep repair orders and payment records so the service desk can review the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 8, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 15, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| February 15, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 11, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 15, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V072?
Recall 16V072 covers 10 2015-2016 Barrett P gooseneck trailers with an upper coupler rated for 25,000 lbs while the trailer GVWR is over 25,000 lbs. If the trailer is loaded past 25,000 lbs, the coupler can fail and separate the trailer from the tow vehicle. The repair is free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Barrett P is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V072. If it is, contact a Barrett dealer or customer service at 1-608-873-2500. Depending on the trailer GVWR, the repair involves replacing the upper coupler slide-in inner tube or returning the trailer to the manufacturer for upper coupler replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy states that these repairs are free. A Barrett dealer will explain whether your trailer needs the slide-in inner tube replaced or a manufacturer-level upper coupler replacement.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer separation from the tow vehicle. If an included Barrett P trailer is loaded past 25,000 lbs, the upper coupler can fail, which increases crash risk. Until the repair is complete, stay within the 25,000 lb upper-coupler rating and ask the dealer how to move the trailer safely.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V072000 |
|---|---|
| Barrett customer service | 1-608-873-2500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V072 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V072000 |
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 →