Recall 16V153 affects 15 2016 Lakota Bighorn and Charger recreational vehicles for unintended expanding-room extension. Repair is free at any franchised Lakota dealer.
Lakota is recalling 15 2016 Bighorn and Charger recreational vehicles under recall 16V153 because screws that attach the expanding room to the sliding mechanism cable can fail. If the room extends while the vehicle is moving, crash risk increases, and Lakota dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The slide-out room on a 2016 Lakota Bighorn or Charger is the movable RV room section that extends when the trailer is parked and retracts for travel. A cable slide mechanism pulls that room in and out, and small fasteners hold the cable ends to the moving parts. Those fasteners have to stay intact so the room stays locked in the correct position.
On affected trailers, the fastener was weakened during the plating process by hydrogen embrittlement. That means the metal became brittle after it was made, even though it looked normal from the outside. After installation, the fastener can fracture, which lets the slide-out room separate from the cable mechanism and extend unintentionally while the trailer is moving.
The warning sign is visible at the slide-out room. The bottom of the room can gap away from the trailer sidewall in one corner before the fastener fails completely.
Who's affected?
Covers the Bighorn and Charger model lines for 2016, both tied to recreational vehicle and trailer equipment.
| 2016 Lakota Bighorn | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2016 Lakota Charger | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| Units affected | 15 |
| 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 your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A slide out room that extends while the vehicle is moving increases crash risk. If the bottom of the room gaps away from the sidewall at one corner, treat it as a warning sign and schedule the repair before the next trip. Repair is free at any franchised Lakota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Lakota Bighorn or Charger is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lakota dealer to schedule the free bolt replacement that secures the expanding room to the sliding mechanism cable.
- Bring the recall notice if Lakota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V153 when you call.
- Keep the expanding room fully retracted and secured before moving the RV until the repair is complete.
- Call Lakota customer service at 1-574-848-1636 with questions about the dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lakota technician replaces the bolts that secure the expanding room to the sliding mechanism cable. The recall repair is available, and parts and labor are free. Lakota has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this recall repair before the notice. Ask Lakota customer service how to submit documented expenses for review, and bring any repair paperwork when you speak with the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 15, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 31, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| March 31, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 31, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 8, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V153?
Recall 16V153 covers 15 2016 Lakota Bighorn and Charger recreational vehicles manufactured from March 5, 2015, through March 20, 2015. The expanding-room attachment screws can fail and allow the room to extend while the vehicle is moving, which increases crash risk. Lakota dealers replace the bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Lakota Bighorn or Charger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 16V153. If it is, contact a franchised Lakota dealer to schedule the bolt replacement. Reference recall number 16V153 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Lakota's recall remedy says dealers will replace the bolts free of charge. Federal recall repairs are performed at no cost to the owner at a franchised dealer, so parts and labor for this campaign are covered.
Is it safe to drive my Lakota Bighorn or Charger before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety issue is that the expanding room can extend while the vehicle is moving, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN, arrange the free dealer repair, and ask Lakota customer service at 1-574-848-1636 for model-specific handling guidance before travel.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V153000 |
|---|---|
| Lakota customer service | 1-574-848-1636 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V153 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V153000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →