Recall 21V287 affects 88 2021 Coachmen Catalina travel trailers for an undersized battery wire that can melt. Repair is free at any franchised Coachmen dealer.
Coachmen is recalling 88 2021 Catalina travel trailers because an incorrect-gauge battery wire was routed where it can melt. A melted wire can cause a short and increase the risk of a fire, and Coachmen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The stranded wire on the 2021 Coachmen Catalina is part of the battery circuit that feeds power through the inverter breaker and back to the trailer battery. That wire has to carry electrical current without overheating. The correct wire for this circuit is thicker and rated for higher heat, so it can handle the load designed for the trailer.
On affected Catalina travel trailers, the plant installed 10 gauge, 105 degrees Celsius stranded wire where 4 gauge, 125 degrees Celsius stranded wire belonged. The smaller wire has more resistance for this job. Under load, it can heat up beyond its rating, and the insulation can melt.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a clear change before the wire overheats, so the repair is based on replacing the incorrect wire with the correct gauge.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Coachmen Catalina | battery |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 88 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Coachmen Catalina trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If your VIN is included, a melted wire can short and increase the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign listed, so schedule the repair soon instead of waiting for a symptom. Repair is free at any franchised Coachmen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Coachmen Catalina is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Coachmen dealer to schedule the free battery-wire replacement that fixes the incorrect-gauge wire at risk of melting.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V287 when you call.
- Avoid using the trailer until the wire replacement is complete if you smell heat, see melted wiring, or notice electrical problems.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer or authorized Coachmen service center, a Coachmen technician replaces the incorrect 10 gauge wire routed from the battery with the correct 4 gauge wire. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free under the recall. After the wire is replaced, the service center confirms the battery wiring is corrected before returning the trailer.
Timeline
| April 23, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 2, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| June 2, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 2, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V287?
Recall 21V287 covers 88 2021 Coachmen Catalina travel trailers with an incorrect-gauge battery wire that can melt. A melted wire can cause a short and increase fire risk. Dealers will replace the wire for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Coachmen Catalina is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific travel trailer is included in recall 21V287. If it is, contact an authorized Coachmen dealer to schedule the battery-wire replacement. Reference recall number 21V287 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will replace the wire free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at an authorized Coachmen dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. Recall 21V287 involves an incorrect-gauge wire routed from the battery. If that wire melts, it can create a short and increase fire risk. The fix is a free wire replacement at the dealer.
When were owners notified about recall 21V287?
Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2021. If you bought the travel trailer used or never received a letter, check your VIN and call Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-8657 or an authorized dealer with recall number 21V287.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V287000 |
|---|---|
| Coachmen customer service | 1-574-825-8657 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V287 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V287000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →