Recall 16V818 affects 61 2016 Highland Ridge Fw Highlander trailers for ladder hinges that separate. Repair is free at a franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer.
Highland Ridge Fw is recalling 61 2016 Highlander travel trailers because the retractable hinges on certain aluminum black ladders have welded top hats that can separate. If the hinge weld separates while someone is using the ladder, the ladder can fall from the trailer and increase the risk of injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On the 2016 Highland Ridge Fw Highlander 31RGR travel trailer, the exterior aluminum ladder gives an owner or service technician access to the rear and roof area. Its retractable hinges let the ladder fold or move, while the welded mounting bracket, called the top hat, keeps the hinge attached to the ladder structure.
On affected trailers, the top hat was not welded to the hinge to specification. That weak weld lets the bracket separate from the hinge instead of holding the ladder in place. Once the bracket separates, the hinge no longer supports the ladder as designed, so the ladder is not secure at that mounting point.
The warning sign is visible separation of the mounting bracket from the hinge. If you see the top hat pulling away from the hinge, do not use the ladder until a Highland Ridge Fw dealer completes the recall repair.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Highland Ridge Fw Highlander | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 61 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
A ladder hinge that separates during use can let the ladder fall from the vehicle and raise the risk of injury. If you see the mounting bracket pulling away from the hinge, keep people clear of the ladder and schedule service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Highland Ridge Fw Highlander is included in this recall.
- Contact Highland Ridge Fw customer service at 1-260-768-7771 to confirm the remedy timing for your VIN.
- Ask a franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer about the free hinge-brace repair that helps keep the retractable ladder hinges secured.
- Bring the recall notice if Highland Ridge Fw mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V818 when you call.
- Avoid using the rear ladder until the hinge-brace repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Highland Ridge Fw technician installs hinge braces over the existing ladder hinges. The repair plan calls for 6 repair brackets on the 6 ladder hinges, following Christianson's repair instructions. That brace set reinforces the retractable hinge points where the welded top hat can separate from the hinge. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| November 14, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 29, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V818?
Recall 16V818 covers 61 2016 Highland Ridge Fw Highlander travel trailers with model 31RGR equipment. The aluminum black ladder hinges can separate during use, allowing the ladder to fall from the vehicle and increasing injury risk. Dealers install hinge braces for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Highland Ridge Fw Highlander is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V818. If it is, contact a franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer to schedule the hinge-brace installation. Reference recall 16V818 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Highland Ridge Fw says dealers will install hinge braces over the existing ladder hinges free of charge. You can also call Highland Ridge Fw customer service at 1-260-768-7771.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from a ladder that falls from the trailer during use. The affected hinges have welded top-hat sections that can separate from the hinge. Until the repair is complete, avoid using the exterior ladder and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Highlander used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received the November 29, 2016 recall notice, check your VIN and ask a franchised Highland Ridge Fw dealer about recall 16V818.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V818000 |
|---|---|
| Highland Ridge Fw customer service | 1-260-768-7771 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V818 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V818000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 →