These 31 trailer hitches recall campaigns span at least 25 models across 14 different makes, so this is a defect category that turns up right across the industry rather than at any single brand.

This page pulls together every recall we track that involves the trailer hitches, grouped using NHTSA's own component classification. A recall lands here when the manufacturer or NHTSA traced a safety defect to this system. Pick a model below to see the full recall detail, including the defect, the risk, and the free fix.

Trailer Hitches recalls by make

Models with the most trailer hitches recalls

ModelRecalls
Kia Sportage3
Hyundai Santa Fe2
Hyundai Tucson2
Kia Sorento2
Mazda CX-502
Chevrolet Silverado 15001
Ford Explorer1
Ford F-3501
Ford F-4501
Honda Element1
Hyundai Palisade1
Hyundai Santa Cruz1
Jeep Renegade1
Kia Carnival1
Kia Telluride1
Lincoln Aviator1
Mazda CX-51
Mercedes-Benz GLC1
Nissan Frontier1
Ram 45001
Subaru Outback1
Toyota RAV41
Toyota Sequoia1
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport1
Volkswagen Atlas1

About trailer hitches recalls

A trailer hitches recall is one NHTSA has classified under its trailer hitches component group. That covers any safety defect or standards failure traced to that system, from a single part to a software fault that affects how it behaves. Grouping recalls this way makes it easy to see when the same kind of problem shows up across very different vehicles, which often points to a shared supplier part or a design pattern common to the industry rather than a single bad model.

What to do

If your vehicle is on the list below, or you are worried about the trailer hitches on a car you own or are about to buy, check it by VIN to see whether a free recall repair is open for that exact vehicle. Recall fixes are done at a franchised dealer at no cost, and most never expire. If you are experiencing a trailer hitches problem that has not been recalled, filing a complaint with NHTSA helps flag it, since enough reports about the same part can lead to an investigation. The fastest check is a VIN recall lookup.

Common questions about trailer hitches recalls

Which cars have the most trailer hitches recalls?
Across the models we track, the most trailer hitches recalls are on the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, and Mazda CX-50. A model with more recalls in one area is often a high-volume seller, not necessarily worse than its rivals.
How many trailer hitches recalls are there?
NHTSA has 31 recall campaigns involving the trailer hitches on record for 2010 and newer vehicles, led by Kia, Hyundai, and Ford.
How do I know if my car has a trailer hitches recall?
Open your model from the list below to see its trailer hitches recalls, or enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page to see the open recalls for your exact vehicle. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, grouped by NHTSA's component classification. See all components, the methodology, and data sources. Reference only, not legal or safety advice.