Recall 20V275 affects 392 2020 Heartland Mallard, Prowler, Trail Runner, and Wilderness trailers for a spare tire carrier U-bolt defect. Free repair at a franchised Heartland dealer.
Heartland is recalling 392 2020 Trail Runner, Wilderness, Mallard, and Prowler trailers under recall 20V275 because the U-bolt that secures the bumper-mounted spare tire carrier can break. If both U-bolts fail, the carrier and spare tire can detach during travel, raising the risk of injury and a crash. The dealer repair will be free once Heartland opens it.
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What's wrong?
The spare tire carrier on these 2020 Heartland Trail Runner, Wilderness, Mallard, and Prowler trailers is bolted to the rear bumper with a U-shaped metal fastener called a U-bolt. The U-bolt wraps around the bumper tube and clamps the carrier in place so the spare tire stays put through every mile of towing. It is a small part, but it holds the entire weight of the spare against road vibration and bumps.
On affected trailers, the U-bolts were bent with worn tooling at the factory. The bend came out wrong, which left a weak spot in the metal. Over time, the stress of normal travel works on that weak spot until the U-bolt snaps at the bend. Once it breaks, nothing holds the carrier to the bumper, and the spare tire can fall off behind the trailer while you are driving.
The warning sign is a spare tire carrier that feels loose. If the carrier wobbles when you tug on it, the U-bolt is failing.
Who's affected?
Covers four Heartland travel trailer lines (Trail Runner, Wilderness, Mallard, Prowler) from the 2020 model year, all sharing the same tire-carrier U-bolt.
| 2020 Heartland Trail Runner | Carrier/rack |
|---|---|
| 2020 Heartland Wilderness | Carrier/rack |
| 2020 Heartland Mallard | Carrier/rack |
| 2020 Heartland Prowler | Carrier/rack |
| Units affected | 392 |
| 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 in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If both U-bolts break, the spare tire carrier and spare tire can detach from the vehicle, raising the risk of injury and the risk of a crash for following traffic. A loose spare tire carrier is the warning sign, so treat any looseness or rattle at the rear as a reason to stop towing and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Heartland dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Heartland trailer (Trail Runner, Wilderness, Mallard, or Prowler) is included in this recall.
- Wait for the owner notification letter from Heartland, since the final remedy is still under development.
- Contact a franchised Heartland dealer once the repair opens to schedule the free spare-tire U-bolt replacement that prevents the carrier from detaching.
- Call Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032 with questions and reference recall number 20V275 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer with the spare tire mounted on the bumper carrier until the U-bolts are replaced, since a broken U-bolt can release the spare during travel.
What happens at the repair
Heartland's final dealer repair is still under development. Once Heartland opens the repair, a Heartland technician will replace the spare tire mounting U-bolts on the bumper-mounted carrier. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you previously paid out of pocket for a related U-bolt or spare tire carrier repair, Heartland's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact Heartland customer service to start a reimbursement claim before scheduling the recall work.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 14, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 7, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 14, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 14, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 14, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V275?
Recall 20V275 covers 392 2020 Heartland Trail Runner, Wilderness, Mallard, and Prowler trailers with a bumper-mounted spare tire carrier. The U-bolt that secures the spare tire can break, and if both U-bolts break, the carrier and spare tire can detach during travel. Heartland dealers will replace the U-bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Heartland Trail Runner, Wilderness, Mallard, or Prowler is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V275. If it is, contact a Heartland dealer to schedule the U-bolt replacement, or call Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Reference recall number 20V275 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost, and Heartland dealers will replace the spare tire mounting U-bolts free of charge. The fix applies to all 392 trailers in scope regardless of where the trailer was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk?
If both U-bolts break, the bumper-mounted carrier and spare tire can detach from the trailer during travel. A detached spare tire on the road increases the risk of injury to other drivers and the risk of a crash. Keep an eye on the spare-tire mount until the U-bolt replacement is complete.
What if I bought my Heartland trailer used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Heartland never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included in recall 20V275, and reference that number when you call the dealer or Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V275000 |
|---|---|
| Heartland customer service | 1-877-262-8032 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V275 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V275000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →