64-1114 – Vehicle GVWR Exceeds GVWR Hitch Coupler – 2018-2020 Forest River Cascade & Cherokee Travel Trailers

November 25, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V844000

Vehicle GVWR Exceeds GVWR Hitch Coupler

A trailer that detaches from the tow vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V844

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components TRAILER HITCHES

Potential Number of Units Affected 328

 

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee travel trailers. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler, potentially resulting in the coupler failing and the trailer detaching.

 

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and dealers will replace the coupler, free of charge. The recall began February 17, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100 or 1-541-995-3447. Forest River’s number for this recall is 64-1114.

 

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.safercar.gov.

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 19V844
CANADA RECALL: 2019-594
FR ID: 64-1114

<<VIN>>
<<OWNER NAME/DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

 

2/12/2020

This Notice applies to your vehicle VIN listed above.

 

Dear Forest River Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This notice is also sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to the motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 20182020 Cascade and Cherokee Travel Trailer 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 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (“GVWR”) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler.

 

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

The coupler may fail, which may increase the risk crash, property damage or personal injury.

 

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER AND OUR DEALERSHIPS GOING TO DO?

Forest River is notifying dealerships of the recall. Please contact your Forest River Dealership for the coupler replacement. When contacting the Forest River Dealership, request to speak to service and ensure they have welding capapbilities. Your dealer will be able to assist you in facailiting the need for the RV to go to another entity if they do not have welding capabilities. If you need help finding a service center please call our customer service line at  (541) 995-3447. You may also visit www.forestriverinc.com for dealer locations.

However, 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 without delay and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy. The vehicle Owner is responsible for making arraignments 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.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE REMEDY PROCESS TAKE?

The estimated time of repair is 1.0 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:

Cherokee Oregon
Forest River, Inc.
Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER
30725 Diamond Hill

 

What if you no longer own this vehicle?

If you no longer own this vehicle and have the address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner within 10 working days after the day in which the notice is received. You have received this letter because government regulations require that a notification is sent to the last known owner of record. Our records indicate that you are the current owner.

PLEASE NOTE: FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT ANY VEHICLE LESSOR RECEIVING THIS RECALL NOTICE MUST FORWARD A COPY OF THIS NOTICE TO THE LESSEE WITHIN TEN DAYS.

 

MAY FOREST RIVER ASSIST YOU FURTHER?

If you have difficulties getting your vehicle repaired, please contact your Forest River Representative listed below:

CONTACT	PHONE
Customer Service	(541) 995-3447

 

If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle/towable repaired in a reasonable amount of time or without change, you may write to the following address:

For US Owners Please Contact:	For Canadian Owners Please Contact:
Administrator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590   Or you may call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or (TTY: 1-800-424-9153).   Or visit www.safercar.gov and search; Recall: 19V844	Head of Recalls Motor Vehicle Safety Investigations Laboratory Transport Canada 80 Noël street, Gatineau, Quebec, J8Z 0A1   Telephone (800) 333-0510 Facsimile (819) 420-4292   RecallID: 2019-594

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION

A SECONDARY NOTICE WILL FOLLOW WHEN THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE

 

NHTSA RECALL: 19V844
CANADA RECALL: 2019-594
FR ID:64-1114

<<VIN>>
<<OWNER NAME/DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

 

1/9/2020

This Notice applies to your vehicle VIN listed above.

Dear Forest River Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This notice is also sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to the motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 20182020 Cascade and Cherokee Travel Trailer 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 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (“GVWR”) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler.

 

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

The coupler may fail, which may increase the risk of property damage or personal injury.

 

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER GOING TO DO

The remedy for this recall is still under development. Forest River will notify all owners with a second notice when the remedy becomes available.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Do not exceed the stamped weight on the coupler of 5,000 lbs.

PLEASE NOTE: FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT ANY VEHICLE LESSOR RECEIVING THIS RECALL NOTICE MUST FORWARD A COPY OF THIS NOTICE TO THE LESSEE WITHIN TEN DAYS.

 

CONTACT	PHONE
CUSTOMER SERVICE	(541) 995-3447

 

For US Owners Please Contact:	For Canadian Owners Please Contact:
Administrator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590   Or you may call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or (TTY: 1-800-424-9153).   Or visit www.safercar.gov and search; Recall ID: 19V844	Head of Recalls Motor Vehicle Safety Investigations Laboratory Transport Canada 80 Noël street, Gatineau, Quebec, J8Z 0A1   Telephone (800) 333-0510 Facsimile (819) 420-4292   Recall ID: 2019-594

 

Sincerely,

Cherie Schmucker

Office Manager,
Office of Corporate Compliance

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 19V844
CANADA RECALL: 2019-594
FR ID: 64-1114

<<DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

 

2/13/2020

Pursuant to USC49CFR §577.13 – Notification to Dealerships and Distributors – Paragraph B

“It is a violation of Federal Law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by the notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.”

–Forest River motorized and towable products are contained in this section-

 

CANADA: Pursuant to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act, section 5

Companies who sell new non-complying vehicles may be in violation of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Substantial penalties apply to violations of this law. This notice is being sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This is to inform you that your vehicle may contain a defect that could affect the safety of a person.

Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a safety defect exists in certain 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee Travel Trailer Recreational Vehicles. Forest River is recalling the defect model(s) to ensure the safety of our future retail consumers and your dealership. Forest River apologizes for any inconvenience this action may cause your dealership; however, safety continued satisfaction and our commitment to building great products are of the utmost importance to Forest River.

The identified VIN referenced in the attached document(s).

The designated Date range of production is August 30, 2017 through October 24, 2019.

 

DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE:

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (“GVWR”) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler.

 

EVALUATION OF RISK:

The coupler may fail, which may increase the risk of property damage or personal injury.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

Dealership Service Department Service procedures for addressing the coupler replacement is included with this notification.

 

AVAILABILITY OF REMEDY:

The remedy for this recall is included with this notification.

 

WHAT IS THE PART NUMBER OF THE REMEDY KIT?

Coupler – 135430

Jack Plate – 113512

 

PARTS AND RETURN:

Pictures are required for the remedy and/or inspection after installation.  Pictures of the remedy are a condition of payment in which must be provided with a claim against the repair code(s).

 

DEALER REPAIR CODES: Dealer Central

UNITED STATES	CANADA	REPAIR CODE	DESCRIPTION	ALLOWABLE HOUR(S)
19V844	2019-594	10-19V844	REPLACE COUPLER	STRAIGHT TIME

 

 

OR

DEALER REPAIR CODES: Dealer Connect

UNITED STATES	CANADA	REPAIR CODE	DESCRIPTION	ALLOWABLE HOUR(S)
19V844	2019-594	RC-004-01–003355	REPLACE COUPLER	STRAIGHT TIME

 

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION:

CONTACT	PHONE
Customer Service	(541) 995-3447

 

The Recall shall be considered the utmost priority to remedy the 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee Travel Trailer Recreational Vehicles in question. The retail consumer shall not be charged any amount of monies for remedy to their 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee Travel Trailer Recreational Vehicles listed under this Recall.

If your dealership has already performed the remedy to 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee Travel Trailer Recreational Vehicles, your dealership is entitled to the reimbursement as stated above by filing a claim using the indicated repair code(s).  If the remedy needs to be performed on an out of warranty 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee Travel Trailer Recreational Vehicles in which the VIN falls under as stated in the identified VIN listing, your dealership is entitled to the reimbursement as stated above by filing a claim using the indicated repair code(s).

 

Notice:

In no manner shall a Forest River Product Owner or Coachmen Product Owner be charged any fee(s) for scheduling, conduction or completion of the recall.  Additionally, all dealership(s) that are Forest River and/or Coachmen dealership(s) are Federally Mandated to perform the recall once presented with this recall whether by the Owner or Dealership receipt of this letter, without denial of service to the Owner.  Lastly, denial of a remedy for this recall is a Federal Violation punishable by law resulting substantial fines and/or civil penalties.

 

Federal Regulation requires that any lessor receiving this Recall must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.  If your dealership no longer owns this vehicle, please inform the Warranty Manager of the product listed above of the change of ownership.                                           

 

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<<VIN>>
<<OWNER NAME/DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

 

<<DATE>>

 

This Notice applies to your vehicle VIN listed above.

 

Dear Forest River Customer:

We are following up with you to make you aware that part of the completion of Recall 19V844 includes changing the coupler size, which in turn, will require a different hitch ball size. Once the recall is complete, please change your hitch ball size from a 2” to a 2 5/16” hitch ball to fit the new coupler size. If you have already had this recall performed, please ensure that the hitch ball is the required 2 5/16” prior to towing the vehicle. The purchase of the 2 5/16” hitch ball is not covered under the recall remedy.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

CONTACT	PHONE
Customer Service	(541) 995-3447

 

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6 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FOREST RIVER	CASCADE	2018-2020
FOREST RIVER	CHEROKEE	2018-2020

 

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13 Associated Document

Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-19V844-1655.pdf 220.453KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V844-7084.PDF 211.13KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 2

RCLRPT-19V844-1153.PDF 214.209KB

 

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Recall 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V844-9868.PDF 214.084KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 1

RCLRPT-19V844-8200.PDF 214.2KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-2

RCLQRT-19V844-4585.PDF 211.228KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V844-9040.pdf 211.168KB

 

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ISSUED Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RIONL-19V844-7712.pdf 185.904KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V844-6079.PDF 213.969KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V844-7886.pdf 245.049KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 2

RCLRPT-19V844-7974.PDF 213.978KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-3

RCLQRT-19V844-3681.PDF 211.315KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document-19V844 – Follow up Letter – Hitch ball size change.

RMISC-19V844-7441.pdf 173.482KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V844&docType=RCL

 

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

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