Recall 16V402 affects 135 2016-2017 Dutchmen Kodiak trailers for exposed LED rope light ends. Repair is free at any franchised Dutchmen dealer.
Dutchmen is recalling 135 2016-2017 Kodiak recreational trailers because the LED rope lights used as countertop backlighting have exposed ends that can short against each other. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire, and Dutchmen dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The countertop backlighting in the 2016-2017 Dutchmen Kodiak uses LED rope lights mounted under the counter edge. Those rope lights are low-voltage lighting strips that illuminate the countertop area, and their wire ends need insulation so current stays inside the light circuit.
On affected Kodiak trailers, the ends of the 2 rope light sections were left unprotected. If the sections are installed close together, the exposed ends can touch each other and create an electrical short under the countertop. Keystone traced the issue after production found a short and a burnt section of lighting, then confirmed that the rope light ends lacked protection.
Owners can notice blown fuses for the light circuit, black spots in the countertop under-lighting, or smoke from under the counter edge. Those are warning signs that the light circuit is shorting and the backlighting needs the recall repair.
Who's affected?
The same wiring issue appears in both listed Kodiak model years.
| 2016 Dutchmen Kodiak | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2017 Dutchmen Kodiak | wiring |
| Units affected | 135 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
An electrical short raises the risk of a fire. Watch for blown light circuit fuses, black spots in the countertop under lighting, or smoke from under the countertop edge. If you see those signs, stop using that lighting circuit and contact a dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Dutchmen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Dutchmen Kodiak is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Dutchmen dealer to schedule the free repair.
- Ask for the heat-shrink tube installation that covers the exposed countertop LED rope light end and reduces the electrical-short fire risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Dutchmen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V402 when you call.
- Avoid using the countertop LED rope lights until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Dutchmen technician installs heat shrink tubing over one exposed LED rope light end for the countertop backlighting. That cover separates and protects the light end so the two rope light sections do not short against each other. The recall repair is available now, and the parts and labor are free under campaign 16V402. Ask the service desk to confirm the work is complete before you take the trailer home.
Timeline
| June 3, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 7, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 7, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 8, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 8, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V402?
Recall 16V402 covers 135 2016-2017 Dutchmen Kodiak recreational trailers with exposed ends on the countertop LED rope lights. The ends can short against each other, and an electrical short increases the risk of a fire. Dealers install heat shrink tubing over one rope-light end for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Dutchmen Kodiak is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V402. If it is, contact a franchised Dutchmen dealer and ask for the LED rope-light heat shrink repair. Reference recall number 16V402 and Dutchmen recall number 16-255 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and the dealer installs the heat shrink tube free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included 2016-2017 Dutchmen Kodiak trailers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire from an electrical short. The recall covers exposed ends on the countertop LED rope lights, where the two sections can short against each other. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair before using the trailer again.
What if I bought my Dutchmen Kodiak used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the repair regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016-2017 Dutchmen Kodiak is included, then call a franchised Dutchmen dealer with recall number 16V402.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V402000 |
|---|---|
| Dutchmen customer service | 1-866-425-4369 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V402 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V402000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- 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 →