Recall 21V575 affects 29 2021 Prime Time Tracer trailers for heat-damaged tail lights. Repair is free at any franchised Prime Time dealer.
Prime Time recall 21V575 covers 29 2021 Tracer recreational trailers because the tail light sits too close to the water heater exhaust, which can distort the lens or cause it to fail. A distorted or inoperative lens can make the trailer harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk, and the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The tail lamp on the 2021 Prime Time Tracer is an exterior light that signals braking and helps traffic behind the trailer see it. The water heater exhaust is a separate outlet that vents hot gases away from the heater. Those parts are supposed to have enough space between them so heat does not damage the light.
On affected Tracer trailers, the tail lamp sits too close to the water heater exhaust. The water heater design used in these units required 12 inches of vertical clearance from nearby materials, and the lamp was installed too close to that exhaust path. Heat from the exhaust can distort or melt the tail lamp lens, and the lamp can stop working.
What you notice is visible. The tail lamp lens can look melted, warped, or the tail lamp can stop functioning. If that happens, the rear light no longer gives drivers behind the trailer the signal it is meant to provide.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Prime Time Tracer | Tail lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 29 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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?
A melted or inoperative tail lamp lens makes the trailer harder for other drivers to see, which increases the risk of a crash. If the lens looks distorted or the tail lamp is not working, limit trips and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Prime Time dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Prime Time Tracer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Prime Time dealer to schedule the free flush mount tail-light replacement that keeps the lens from distorting near the water heater exhaust.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it, or reference recall number 21V575 and Prime Time recall 51-1389 when you call.
- Inspect the tail light before towing and stop towing if the lens is distorted or the light is inoperative.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Prime Time technician replaces the tail light with a flush mount tail light under recall 21V575. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Forest River uses its standard reimbursement plan for this campaign, so documented out-of-pocket tail light repairs paid before the recall notice can be submitted for review. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 28, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 18, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 6, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| September 6, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 6, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V575?
Recall 21V575 covers 29 2021 Prime Time Tracer TRT22RBS recreational trailers with a tail light mounted too close to the water heater exhaust. Heat from the exhaust can distort the lens or make the tail light fail. Dealers will install a flush mount tail light for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Prime Time Tracer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 21V575. If it is, contact a franchised Prime Time dealer to schedule the free tail light replacement. Reference Forest River recall number 51-1389 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 21V575, dealers will replace the affected tail light with a flush mount tail light, and parts and labor are covered.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced trailer visibility. If the tail light lens becomes distorted or stops working, other drivers have less lighting information from the trailer, increasing crash risk. The repair moves the trailer to a flush mount tail light designed to avoid the exhaust heat issue.
When were owners notified about recall 21V575?
Forest River mailed owner notification letters on August 18, 2021. If you bought the trailer used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2021 Prime Time Tracer is included, then call a Prime Time dealer for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V575000 |
|---|---|
| Prime Time customer service | 1574-862-1025 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V575 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V575000 |
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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →