Recall 18V843 covers 982 2019 Keystone and Dutchmen recreational trailers for under-greased axle hub bearings. Repair is free at any franchised Keystone dealer.
Keystone is recalling 982 2019 Cougar, Outback, Passport, Springdale, Bullet, Hideout, Aerolite, and Atlas recreational trailers because inner hub bearings on the axles were not greased enough. If the bearings overheat, the hub can fail, affect handling, and increase the risk of a crash; Keystone dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The axle hub bearing sits inside the wheel hub and lets the trailer wheel rotate smoothly around the axle. On the 2019 Keystone Springdale, Outback, Bullet, Aerolite, Passport, Cougar, Hideout, and Atlas recreational trailers in this recall, that bearing depends on grease to reduce friction and carry heat away from the moving surfaces.
During axle manufacturing, the inner hub bearings were installed with too little grease. With less lubrication than intended, metal surfaces rub harder as the trailer rolls. The hub can build heat, and an overheated bearing can break down or fail. The repair repacks the bearings with the correct amount of grease.
Owners can look for wheel hubs that feel unusually hot after towing or visible discoloration on the hub. Those are warning signs that the bearing area has been running hot and needs dealer inspection before more towing.
Who's affected?
The scope spans 8 travel trailer model lines using the same drive axle hub component.
| 2019 Keystone Springdale | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2019 Keystone Outback | drive axle |
| 2019 Keystone Bullet | drive axle |
| 2019 Dutchmen Aerolite | drive axle |
| 2019 Keystone Passport | drive axle |
| 2019 Keystone Cougar | drive axle |
| 2019 Keystone Hideout | drive axle |
| 2019 Dutchmen Atlas | drive axle |
| Units affected | 982 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2019 model name does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Overheated bearings can lead to hub failure, affect trailer handling, and increase the risk of a crash. Watch for a hot wheel hub or visible hub discoloration, and schedule the inspection before towing again if you see either sign. Repair is free at any franchised Keystone dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Keystone Springdale, Outback, Bullet, Aerolite, Passport, Cougar, Hideout, or Atlas trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Keystone dealer to schedule the free hub and bearing inspection and repair that fixes the under-greased axle bearings before they overheat.
- Bring the recall notice if Keystone mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V843 when you call.
- Avoid long trips until the hubs and bearings are inspected and repaired.
- Call Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369 with questions and reference Keystone recall 18-340.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Keystone technician inspects the trailer axle hubs and inner bearings, then repairs the hubs and bearings that need repair. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you already paid out of pocket for a related hub or bearing repair before the recall notice, Keystone has a general reimbursement plan on file. Keep your repair paperwork and contact Keystone customer service or the dealer service desk to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 28, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 20, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 20, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 20, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V843?
Recall 18V843 covers 982 2019 Keystone Springdale, Outback, Bullet, Aerolite, Passport, Cougar, Hideout, and Atlas recreational trailers. The inner hub bearings on the axles were not sufficiently greased, which can make the bearings overheat and fail. Keystone dealers will inspect and repair the hubs and bearings for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Keystone Springdale, Outback, Bullet, Aerolite, Passport, Cougar, Hideout, or Atlas is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V843. If it is, contact a franchised Keystone dealer to schedule the hub and bearing inspection and repair. Reference recall number 18V843 and Keystone recall number 18-340 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Keystone dealers will inspect the axle hubs and bearings, then repair them as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is hub failure that affects trailer handling and increases crash risk. The recall concerns axle inner hub bearings that were not sufficiently greased. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and repair before your next trip.
When did recall 18V843 begin?
Keystone began recall 18V843 on January 16, 2019. If you own one of these 2019 recreational trailers and never received a notice, check your VIN and call Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369 or a franchised Keystone dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V843000 |
|---|---|
| Keystone customer service | 1-866-425-4369 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V843 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V843000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →