Recall 16V201 affects 33 2016-2017 Heartland Torque travel trailers with underrated safety chains. Repair is free at any franchised Heartland dealer.
Heartland is recalling 33 2016-2017 Torque travel trailers because the A-frame safety chains were rated below the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating. If the main trailer connection fails, the chains can break and let the trailer separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk; the Heartland dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The safety chains on the 2016-2017 Heartland Torque T31 and T32 travel trailers are the backup link between the trailer and the tow vehicle. They attach to the A-frame and are meant to help keep the trailer connected if the main hitch connection separates while towing. For that job, the chains need a weight rating equal to or higher than the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating.
On affected Torque trailers, the A-frame safety chains are rated for 11,700 lbs instead of being rated at or above the trailer's GVWR. That leaves the backup connection under-rated for the trailer it is supposed to control. If the hitch separates, the chains can be overloaded before they do their job.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is the chain rating, so an owner is not expected to hear a noise, see a warning light, or feel a towing change before the chains are needed.
Who's affected?
The listed Torque trailers share the same build window, from December 15, 2015 to March 16, 2016.
| 2017 Heartland Torque | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2017 Heartland Torque | Trailer hitches |
| 2016 Heartland Torque | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2016 Heartland Torque | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 33 |
| 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?
If the main trailer connection fails, weak safety chains can break under trailer weight. The trailer can separate from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Treat the chain rating as a safety issue and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Heartland dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Heartland Torque is included in this recall.
- Review Heartland's owner notice from April 21, 2016, then ask a franchised Heartland dealer about the free safety-chain replacement.
- Contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032 if you need help locating repair support for this trailer.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 16V201 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the safety chains are replaced with chains rated for the trailer weight.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Heartland technician replaces the existing A-frame safety chains with chains rated for 16,200 pounds. Heartland's recall notice says the recall began on April 21, 2016, and the repair is free. The service desk can confirm whether the trailer still needs this chain replacement and whether parts are ready for the appointment. The source record does not give a separate reimbursement plan, so ask Heartland customer service about any prior chain-related repair paperwork.
Timeline
| April 8, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 21, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V201?
Recall 16V201 covers 33 2016-2017 Heartland Torque travel trailers with safety chains rated at 11,700 pounds instead of a rating equal to or above the trailer's GVWR. Heartland dealers replace the chains with 16,200-pound-rated chains for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Heartland Torque is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific travel trailer is included in recall 16V201. If it is, contact a franchised Heartland dealer to schedule the safety-chain replacement. Reference recall 16V201 when you call, or contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost, and Heartland's remedy says dealers will replace the existing safety chains with 16,200-pound-rated chains free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer separation after a main trailer connection failure. If the chains are not strong enough for the trailer weight, the trailer can break the chains and separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Heartland Torque used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Torque is included, then call a franchised Heartland dealer and reference recall 16V201.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V201000 |
|---|---|
| Heartland customer service | 1-877-262-8032 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V201 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V201000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →