Recall 16V550 affects 132 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational vehicles for a slideroom-driveshaft tire-rub defect. Repair is free at any franchised Coachmen dealer.
Coachmen is recalling 132 2017 Freedom Express recreational vehicles because the slideroom driveshaft has too little space from the driver's-side tires, allowing the tires to rub. Tire damage can lead to tire failure, loss of control, and crash risk; the Coachmen dealer repair will be free once Coachmen makes the remedy available.
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What's wrong?
The slideroom driveshaft on a 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express trailer is part of the slide-out room system. It helps move the room section in and out while the trailer structure keeps that hardware clear of the tires. The driver’s side tires need enough open space around them so they can spin without touching the slide-out hardware.
On affected Freedom Express trailers, the chassis supplier moved the weld location for the flush floor slide arms. That change reduced the clearance between the slideroom driveshaft and the driver’s side tires. When the trailer is moving, the tire can rub against the driveshaft, damaging the tire and creating the kind of failure that led to a tire being lost during transport to a dealer.
Owners are not given a clear warning sign before the tire is damaged. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express | tire |
| Units affected | 132 |
| 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?
A driveshaft that rubs against the tires can damage a tire until it fails. Tire failure can cause loss of control and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair once it opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Coachmen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express is included in this recall.
- Call Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-8205 to confirm when the free slideroom driveshaft clearance repair is available.
- Reference recall number 16V550 and Coachmen recall 220-07192016-0229 when you call or schedule service.
- Inspect the driver's side tires before each trip and stop using the trailer if you see rubbing, cuts, or tire damage.
- Bring the recall notice to the Coachmen dealer once repair scheduling is confirmed.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is listed as still under development, so do not assume a service appointment can complete the recall until Coachmen confirms the remedy is open. Once available, a Coachmen technician will repair the clearance problem between the slideroom driveshaft and the driver's side tires so the tires do not rub. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Coachmen has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair. Ask Coachmen customer service how to submit repair documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 22, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 25, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 16, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| September 16, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 16, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V550?
Recall 16V550 covers 132 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational vehicles where the slideroom driveshaft has too little space from the driver's side tires. The driveshaft can rub the tires, leading to tire failure, loss of control, and crash risk. Dealers repair the vehicle for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Coachmen Freedom Express is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 16V550. If it is, contact a franchised Coachmen dealer and ask for the free repair. Reference recall number 16V550 and Coachmen recall number 220-07192016-0229 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy states that dealers will repair the affected Coachmen Freedom Express recreational vehicles free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is tire failure from the slideroom driveshaft rubbing against the driver's side tires. Tire failure can cause loss of control and increase crash risk. Until your VIN is checked and the repair is complete, ask the dealer whether the vehicle is safe to tow or move.
When did the recall repair start?
The recall began on August 25, 2016. Because that date has passed, owners with included VINs should contact a franchised Coachmen dealer or customer service at 1-574-825-8205 and reference recall number 16V550.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V550000 |
|---|---|
| Coachmen customer service | 1-574-825-8205 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V550 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V550000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall 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 →