Recall 22V366 affects 20 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16', 18' and 20' trailers for an improperly welded coupler. Repair is free.
Great Lakes is recalling 20 2021-2022 Tandem 16', Tandem 18', and Tandem 20' trailers because an improperly welded coupler can let the trailer separate from the tow vehicle. Trailer separation raises crash risk, and the dealer repair is free for included trailers.
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What's wrong?
The 2 5/16" a-frame coupler on the 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16', Tandem 20', and Tandem 18' trailers is the socket at the front of the trailer that locks onto the tow vehicle's hitch ball. It carries the pulling load through the trailer tongue and keeps the trailer connected while braking, turning, and traveling over bumps.
On affected trailers, some couplers left the supplier with only tack welds, not the final full weld on the bottom side. A tack weld is a small temporary weld used to hold parts in place before the finished weld is added. Without the complete weld, the coupler does not have the intended strength at the connection point. The trailer can separate from the tow vehicle if that incomplete weld breaks.
Owners can see the warning sign by looking at the bottom side of the coupler. Broken welds or incomplete welds there show that the coupler is not fully finished.
Who's affected?
Spans all 3 Tandem trailer lengths across the 2021 and 2022 model years, all tied to the same 2 5/16" a-frame coupler.
| 2021 Great Lakes Tandem 16' | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2021 Great Lakes Tandem 16' | Trailer hitches |
| 2022 Great Lakes Tandem 20' | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2022 Great Lakes Tandem 20' | Trailer hitches |
| 2022 Great Lakes Tandem 18' | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2022 Great Lakes Tandem 18' | Trailer hitches |
| 2021 Great Lakes Tandem 20' | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2021 Great Lakes Tandem 20' | Trailer hitches |
| 2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16' | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16' | Trailer hitches |
| 2021 Great Lakes Tandem 18' | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2021 Great Lakes Tandem 18' | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 20 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and Tandem model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A trailer coupler with broken or incomplete welds can let the trailer separate from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Inspect the bottom side of the coupler for visible broken or incomplete welds before towing, and schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Great Lakes dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16', Tandem 18', or Tandem 20' trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Great Lakes dealer to schedule the free coupler inspection and replacement that addresses the improperly welded coupler and trailer-separation risk.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 22V366 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until a Great Lakes dealer confirms the coupler weld is secure or completes the replacement.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Great Lakes technician inspects the trailer coupler and replaces it if the coupler fails inspection. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free under campaign 22V366. A general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for a coupler related repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices, payment records, and any dealer paperwork to the service desk so Great Lakes can review the claim under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 20, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 20, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 19, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 20, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V366?
Recall 22V366 covers 20 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16', Tandem 18', and Tandem 20' trailers with an improperly welded coupler. The coupler can let the trailer separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk. Joe's will inspect and replace the coupler for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem 16', Tandem 20', or Tandem 18' is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 22V366. If it is, contact Joe's customer service at 1-734-261-0050 to arrange the coupler inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 22V366 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair to be performed at no cost, and Joe's will inspect and replace the coupler for free. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022, but the free repair applies even if you did not receive a letter.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer separation from the tow vehicle. Recall 22V366 states that an improperly welded coupler can allow the trailer to separate, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free coupler inspection and replacement before regular towing.
What if I bought this Great Lakes trailer used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2021-2022 Great Lakes Tandem trailer is included, then call Joe's customer service at 1-734-261-0050 and reference recall number 22V366.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V366000 |
|---|---|
| Great Lakes customer service | 1-734-261-0050 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V366 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V366000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →