69-1538 – Awning Rail Not Attached to Sidewall – 2021-2022 Forest River Salem & Wildwood Fifth Wheel Travel Trailers

August 2, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V562000

Awning Rail Not Attached to Sidewall

An awning that detaches increases the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V562

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 609

 

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem and Wildwood fifth wheel travel trailers. The awning rail may not be attached to a backer in the sidewall, which can allow the awning to detach while the vehicle is in motion.

 

Remedy

Dealers will inspect for backers and reattach the awning if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River’s number for this recall is 69-1538.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 

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This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This notice is also sent in accordance with the requirements of the United States’ National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Forest River has decided that a defect, which relates to the motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2021-2022 Salem and Wildwood Fifth Wheel recreational vehicles. This is to inform you that your vehicle may contain a defect that could affect the safety of a person.

 

WHAT IS THE DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE?

The awning rail may not be attached to a backer in the sidewall of the vehicle.

 

EVALUATION OF THE RISK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPERATOR(S) RELATED TO THE RECALL.

The awning may detach from the vehicle while the vehicle is in transit, it may cause property damage, personal injury, or lead to a crash.

 

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER AND OUR DEALERSHIPS GOING TO DO?

Forest River is notifying dealerships of the recall. You may have the recall corrected at any Forest River dealership. An authorized Forest River dealer or service center will need to perform the remedy to inspect for backers for the awnings securement. If backers are not located, the awning will be relocated to secure to backers. It is preferable if you have your selling dealership perform the remedy. Forest River completely covers your cost for the remedy; you will not receive any bill of sale for anything covered under the above recall number.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Please contact your dealer immediately and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy. The vehicle Owner is responsible for arranging to have the work completed. Please state you have been notified by Forest River of having a recall in process for your vehicle and provide the recall number for the dealership. It is also helpful to the dealership to have a copy of this letter when you take your vehicle in for the recall remedy.

You may also visit www.forestriverinc.com for dealer locations.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE REMEDY PROCESS TAKE?

The estimated time of repair is 3.0 hours. However, the dealership may need to keep your vehicle or schedule an appointment with you for a later date to fit into their regular service schedule.

 

WHAT IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR REPAIRS TO YOUR VEHICLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONDITION?

If you have already paid for a repair that is within the scope of this defect under recall, you still need to have this recall inspected and/or performed to ensure the correct parts and procedures were utilized.

Additionally, you may be eligible for a refund of previously paid repairs. Refunds will only be provided for within the scope of this defect under recall.

Please send the service invoice to the following address:

Salem & Wildwood
Forest River, Inc.
Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER
1803 Century Drive
Goshen, IN 46528

 

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RECALL 22V562 / 2022-419 REMEDY INSTRUCTIONS

Make(s): SALEM & WILDWOOD Model(s): SBF356QB & WBF356QB Model Year(s): 2021 – 2022	Repair Code: RC-042-03-00-004224 Allotted Time: 3.00 HRS. Inspection Code: RC-042-05-00-004223 Allotted Time: .50 HRS.
Concern: The awning and awning rail may not be attached to a backer in the sidewall of the vehicle.	Photo(s) Required: YES – PRE & POST Prior Authorization Required: YES Part(s) Kit Number: F100346135 Part(s) Return: NO

 

Disconnect the vehicles’ battery Positive and Negative, disconnect any House battery(s) Positive and Negative, if equipped with a generator ensure it is off and lastly, ensure the vehicle is disconnected from shore power. Block any tires/wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Failure to do so may result in electrocution, fire or other personal injury, property damage and/or death.

 

NOTE: INSPECTION AND REMEDY CODES CANNOT BE CLAIMED TOGETHER FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

INSPECT:

STEP 1: VISUALLY LOOK FOR ANY GAPS BETWEEN THE SIDEWALL AND THE AWNING RAIL;

• MEASURE 16 1/2” TO 20 1/2″ FROM THE ENTRY DOOR OPENING UPWARD;
• IF THE AWNING RAIL FALLS WITHIN THIS MEASUREMENT WITHIN 1/4″ THEN CHECK AND IF NEEDED RESEAL AND CLAIM THE INSPECTION CODE, NO REMEDY IS NEEDED.
• IF THE AWNING RAIL DOES NOT MEET THE MEASUREMENT AND TOLERANCE, PROCEED TO REMEDY;

 

REMEDY:

STEP 1: MEASURE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ALUMINUM AWNING EXTRUSION EDGE DOWN THE SIDEWALL AND MARK 2″ – ENSURE THIS ENTIRE AREA IS CLEAN AND FREE OF DEBRIS;

• USE A GREASE PENCIL OR OTHER FORM OF MARKING THAT WILL CLEAN OFF THE SIDEWALL;
• MARK THE LOCATION 2″ DOWN FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ALUMINUM AWNING EXTRUSION IN FOUR (4) LOCATIONS, EQUALLY SPREAD THE LENGTH OF THE AWNING RAIL;
• LOCATE AND MARK THE FRONT LEADING EDGE OF THE AWNING RAIL AT THE 2″ MARK BELOW;

 

STEP 2: IN A CLEAN AREA, APPLY THE BUTYL TAPE TO THE BACKSIDE OF THE SUPPLIED AWNING RAIL(S);

• PEAL THE BACKING OFF THE BUTYL TAPE ONLY WHEN READY TO ATTACH TO THE SIDEWALL;

 

STEP 3: ALIGN THE FOUR (4) MARKS ON THE SIDEWALL WITH THE TOP OF THE NEW AWNING RAIL;

• ALIGN THE AWNING RAIL WITH THE LOCATED MARK FOR THE FRONT EDGE;
• ROTATE AWNING RAIL DOWN AND APPLY PRESSURE TO THE AWNING RAIL AGAINST THE SIDEWALL;
• ENSURE THE AWNING RAIL STICKS TO THE WALL;

 

STEP 4: REMOVE THE AWNING FROM THE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY;

• ENSURE TO NOT CUT OR DAMAGE ANY WIRING, IF PRESENT;
• AWNING ARM HOLES:
  • IN THE PARTS KIT LOCATE THE FOUR (4) PCS OF ETERNA BOND TAPE MEASURE 2 1/2″;
  • APPLY THESE ETERNA BOND TAPE PCS OVER THE HOLES THAT THE AWNING LEG LAGS LEFT;
  • APPLY THESE TO THE WALL FOR THE FRONT AND REAR AWNING LEGS;
• UPPER AWNING ARM HOLES:
  • IN THE PARTS KIT LOCATE THE TWO (2) PCS OF ETERNA BOND TAPE MEASURING 6” ;
  • APPLY THESE TO THE WALL FOR THE FRONT AND REAR AWNING LEGS, AT THE TOP JUST UNDER THE OLD AWNING RAIL;

NOTE: A CUSTOMER MAY NOT ACCEPT ETERNA BOND TAPE TO COVER THE EXPOSED HOLES;

• BODY WORK ANY EXPOSED HOLES FROM THE FASTENERS FROM THE AWNING LEGS;

 

STEP 5: INSTALL AWNING AND AWNING LEGS TO THE NEW AWNING RAIL;

 

STEP 6: CAP SEAL THE NEW AWNING RAIL;

 

STEP 7: TEST FUNCTIONALITY OF THE AWNING TO ENSURE PROPER WORKING ORDER;

 

STEP 8: CLAIM REPAIR CODE.

 

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Chronology :

On July 27, 2022, The manufacturing plant received a single complaint from a dealer. The manufacturing plant reviewed warranty claims and it revealed a trend beginning in January of 2021 up to the week of July 25, 2022

On July 28, 2022, Forest Rivers Office of Corporate Compliance and the manufacturing plant were able to determine the scope of vehicles.

On July 29, 2022, Forest Rivers Corporate Recall Committee voted to recall.

 

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4 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FOREST RIVER	SALEM	2021-2022
FOREST RIVER	WILDWOOD	2021-2022

 

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8 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V562-6775.pdf 645.808KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V562-4912.PDF 214.007KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-22V562-9673.pdf 152.104KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-22V562-7366.pdf 204.207KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V562-8846.pdf 173.159KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2022-3

RCLQRT-22V562-2931.PDF 211.125KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2022-4

RCLQRT-22V562-4075.PDF 211.227KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2023-1

RCLQRT-22V562-6257.PDF 211.312KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=22V562&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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