Recall 18V709 covers 135 2017-2018 Smittybilt Scout trailer kits missing GVWR, GAWR, and cargo labels. Labels are provided free to owners.
Smittybilt is recalling 135 2017-2018 Scout trailer kits because they were sold without required GVWR, GAWR, and cargo capacity labels. Without those labels, an owner can overload the trailer, lose control, and increase crash risk; Smittybilt dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2017-2018 Smittybilt Scout trailer kits need certification and tire information labels that tell an owner the trailer's weight limits. Those labels list the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Gross Axle Weight Rating, and cargo capacity statement. In plain terms, they tell you how much the trailer and axle are rated to carry.
On these Scout kits, the problem is not a broken mechanical part. The kits sold with tires and wheels included, SKU 87400, left without the required weight and cargo labels. Without those labels, an owner does not have the trailer's official loading information on the trailer itself.
There is no warning sign before failure. This recall is about missing information, so the issue is found by checking whether the trailer has the certification and tire loading labels, not by listening for a noise or watching for a driving symptom.
Who's affected?
The same vehicle-label issue appears for the Scout in both the 2017 and 2018 model years.
| 2017 Smittybilt Scout | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2018 Smittybilt Scout | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| Units affected | 135 |
| 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 your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Without the required weight labels, an owner can overload the trailer. An overloaded trailer is harder to control and increases the risk of a crash. Before loading or towing, confirm the rating information and use the replacement labels from Smittybilt. Repair is free at any franchised Smittybilt dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Smittybilt Scout trailer kit is included in this recall.
- Contact Smittybilt customer service to request the free GVWR, GAWR, and cargo-capacity labels that help prevent overloading.
- Reference recall number 18V709 when you call.
- Install the labels before loading or towing the trailer.
- Avoid loading the trailer beyond the posted limits once the labels are installed.
What happens at the repair
For this recall, Smittybilt provides the missing GVWR, GAWR, and cargo capacity labels for the affected Scout trailer kit. The labels correct the tire and loading information that should have been supplied with the kit. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. The reimbursement plan on file uses the manufacturer's standard reimbursement process. If you already paid for related label work, keep the paperwork and ask Smittybilt customer service how to submit documented expenses.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 10, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 3, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 3, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 3, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 3, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V709?
Recall 18V709 covers 135 2017-2018 Smittybilt Scout trailer kits sold with tires and wheels under SKU 87400. The kits were missing GVWR, GAWR, and cargo capacity labels, which can lead to overloading and loss of control. Smittybilt will provide the missing labels for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Smittybilt Scout is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V709. If it is, contact Smittybilt customer service at 1-888-376-1417 and ask for the missing GVWR, GAWR, and cargo capacity labels. The recall remedy is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost. For recall 18V709, Smittybilt will provide the missing weight-rating and cargo-capacity labels free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer overloading. Without the required GVWR, GAWR, and cargo capacity labels, an owner can load the trailer beyond its rated limits. That can cause loss of control and increase crash risk.
What if I bought this Smittybilt Scout used?
The free recall remedy still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2017-2018 Smittybilt Scout is included, then reference recall 18V709 when you contact Smittybilt customer service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V709000 |
|---|---|
| Smittybilt customer service | 1-888-376-1417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V709 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V709000 |
Source documents
-
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →