Recall 16V566 affects 4,585 2015-2017 Heartland travel trailers for an overheating front-cap LED light. Repair is free at any franchised Heartland dealer.
Heartland is recalling 4,585 2015-2017 Mallard, Elkridge, Sundance, Wilderness, and Torque travel trailers because an LED light on the front cap can short circuit and overheat. An overheated light raises the risk of a fire, and Heartland dealers will complete the free recall repair.
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What's wrong?
The recalled part is the switched LED cap light mounted on the front cap of affected 2015-2017 Heartland travel trailers and fifth wheels. The front cap is the nose of the camper, and this light is part of the exterior lighting system. Its wiring supplies power to the LED so the light works when switched on.
On affected Mallard, Elkridge, Sundance, Wilderness, and Torque models, the LED cap light can short circuit and overheat. Heartland had not determined the exact root cause in the recall record. The recalled light differs from the replacement design, which uses a different light style with built-in voltage protection.
There is no warning sign before failure. Heartland said it was unaware of warning signs while the investigation was still ongoing, so owners should not rely on a visible symptom before the light overheats.
Who's affected?
The listed scope spans the Mallard, Elkridge, Sundance, Wilderness, and Torque trailer lines, with exterior lighting and wiring listed for each included model year.
| 2017 Heartland Mallard | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2017 Heartland Mallard | wiring |
| 2015 Heartland Elkridge | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Heartland Elkridge | wiring |
| 2017 Heartland Sundance | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Heartland Sundance | wiring |
| 2016 Heartland Wilderness | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Heartland Wilderness | wiring |
| 2017 Heartland Wilderness | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Heartland Wilderness | wiring |
| 2017 Heartland Elkridge | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Heartland Elkridge | wiring |
| 2017 Heartland Torque | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Heartland Torque | wiring |
| 2016 Heartland Elkridge | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Heartland Elkridge | wiring |
| 2016 Heartland Mallard | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Heartland Mallard | wiring |
| Units affected | 4,585 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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?
NHTSA campaign 16V566 states that an overheated light increases the risk of a fire. Heartland has not identified a warning sign before overheating, so take the recall seriously if your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Heartland dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2017 Heartland Mallard, Elkridge, Sundance, Wilderness, or Torque trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Heartland dealer to schedule the free front-cap LED light replacement that fixes the short-circuit and overheating risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V566 when you call.
- Avoid using the front-cap LED light until the replacement is complete.
- Call Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032 if you need help finding a dealer or confirming parts.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Heartland technician replaces the front cap LED light with a light that has built-in voltage protection, so the light is protected from the short-circuit condition covered by recall 16V566. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Heartland's general reimbursement plan is on file for this campaign. If you've already paid out of pocket for this light repair before the recall notice, keep your repair order and payment documentation and ask Heartland customer service how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 1, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 26, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| September 26, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 26, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V566?
Recall 16V566 covers 4,585 2015-2017 Heartland Mallard, Elkridge, Sundance, Wilderness, and Torque trailers with a front cap LED light that can short circuit and overheat. If the light overheats, fire risk increases. Heartland dealers replace the light with one that has built-in voltage protection for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2017 Heartland Mallard, Elkridge, Sundance, Wilderness, or Torque is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V566. If it is, contact a franchised Heartland dealer to schedule the front cap LED light replacement. Reference recall number 16V566 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Heartland dealers replace the affected front cap LED light free of charge. Heartland's remedy replaces it with a light that has built-in voltage protection.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The front cap LED light can short circuit and overheat, and an overheated light increases the risk of a fire. Until the repair is complete, keep an eye on the front cap lighting area and arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Heartland trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Heartland trailer is included, then call a franchised Heartland dealer or Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032 with recall number 16V566.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V566000 |
|---|---|
| Heartland customer service | 1-877-262-8032 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V566 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V566000 |
Source documents
-
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 →