Recall 18V545 affects 69 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express trailers for break-away safety switch wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Coachmen dealer.
Coachmen is recalling 69 2019 Freedom Express recreational trailers under recall 18V545 because the breakaway safety switch was not wired to a constant power source. If the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle, the brakes can fail to engage, which increases the risk of a crash; Coachmen dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The break-away safety switch on a 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express is the backup circuit that applies the trailer brakes if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. It needs constant battery power, independent of normal trailer switches, so it can send power to the brakes when the break-away cable is pulled.
On affected trailers, the switch wiring was routed through the trailer house battery cutoff switch instead of bypassing it. If that cutoff switch interrupts power, the break-away switch has no constant power available. In a separation event, the trailer brakes do not engage through the break-away system because the switch cannot power the brake circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is in how the break-away switch is wired, so an owner will not feel a change in normal towing or braking before the system is needed.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express | wiring |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 69 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, incorrect break-away switch wiring can keep the trailer brakes from engaging. That raises the risk of a crash because the trailer is harder to control after separation. There is no warning sign before failure. Repair is free at any franchised Coachmen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Coachmen dealer to schedule the free break-away safety switch wiring repair, which restores constant power so the trailer brakes engage after a separation.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 18V545 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the trailer is safe to tow before the repair if you need to move it.
- Call Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-8657 with questions about scheduling or the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Coachmen technician corrects the breakaway safety switch wiring so the switch stays connected to constant power from the trailer battery. The repair is free under recall 18V545, with parts and labor covered. Coachmen's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for the same wiring correction before the recall repair. Bring invoices or repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| August 15, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 17, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
| September 11, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 24, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V545?
Recall 18V545 covers 69 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers with break-away safety switch wiring that was not connected to a constant power source. Coachmen dealers will correct the switch wiring for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V545. If it is, contact a franchised Coachmen dealer to schedule the break-away safety switch wiring repair. Reference recall number 18V545 and Coachmen recall number 220/320-0825 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Coachmen dealers will correct the break-away safety switch wiring free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the trailer brakes can fail to engage after the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle. That braking loss increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then have the wiring corrected by a Coachmen dealer for free.
What if I bought the Coachmen Freedom Express used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your trailer is included, then call a franchised Coachmen dealer or Coachmen Freedom Express customer service at 1-574-825-8657.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V545000 |
|---|---|
| Coachmen customer service | 1-574-825-8657 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V545 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V545000 |
Source documents
-
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →