Emergency Break-Away Switch May Fail – 2020 Forest River Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, & Wildwood Recreational Trailers

January 29, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V049000

Emergency Break-Away Switch May Fail

In the event of trailer separation from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer’s brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V049

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

Potential Number of Units Affected 218

 

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The emergency break-away switch may fail.

 

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the break-away switch, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410 or 1-574-825-8205. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-1129.

 

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

FOLLOW-UP NOTICE OF SAFETY DEFECT

Our records indicate your vehicle has not been remedied; for your Safety and the Safety of others, please have your vehicles’ recall remedied as soon as   possible.

NHTSA RECALL: 20V049
CANADA RECALL: 2020-030
FR ID: 51-1129

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

 

08/10/2020

 

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 2020 Forest River Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood 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? 

On certain travel trailers, the emergency trailer breakaway switch may not work properly when the pin is pulled. If the trailer separates from a tow vehicle, the trailer brakes would not self-apply.

 

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

If the trailer breakaway switch does not work properly, there could be an increased risk of 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. 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 immediately and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy. The service center will replace the breakaway switch. 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 .20 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:

Freedom Express Forest River, Inc. Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER 423 N Main St Middlebury, IN 46540

Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood Forest River, Inc. Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER 1429 SouthEast Uglow Dallas, OR 97338

 

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
Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood	(503) 831-5413
Freedom Express	(574) 825-8205

 

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:
For US Owners Please Contact: Administrator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590Or 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: 20V049	Head of Recalls Motor Vehicle Safety Investigations Laboratory Transport Canada 80 Noël street, Gatineau, Quebec, J8Z 0A1Telephone (800) 333-0510 Facsimile (819) 420-4292Recall ID: 2020-030

 

WHAT IF I HAVE ALEADY HAD THIS RECALL PERFORMED?

Please provide a copy of the work order, or invoice showing the recall was performed. Please ensure the VIN is visible on the paperwork and send it to: Email: [email protected]

Mail:
Forest River Office of Corporate Compliance
423 N Main St Middlebury, IN 46540

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 20V049
CANADA RECALL: 2020-030
FR ID: 51-1129

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

 

2/19/2020

 

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 2020 Forest River Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood 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? 

On certain travel trailers, the emergency trailer breakaway switch may not work properly when the pin is pulled. If the trailer separates from a tow vehicle, the trailer brakes would not self-apply.

 

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

If the trailer breakaway switch does not work properly, there could be an increased risk of 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. 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 service center will replace the breakaway switch. The vehicle Owner is responsible for making arrangements 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 .20 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:

Freedom Express Forest River, Inc. Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER 423 N Main St Middlebury, IN 46540

Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood Forest River, Inc. Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER 1429 SouthEast Uglow 46540 Dallas, OR 97338

 

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
Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood	(503) 831-5413
Freedom Express	(574) 825-8205

 

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: 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: 20V049

For Canadian Owners Please Contact: 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: 2020-030

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 20V049
CANADA RECALL: 2020-030
FR ID: 51-1129

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

 

2/19/2020

 

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 Forest River

Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood 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 9/24/2019 through 1/15/2020.

 

DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE:

On certain travel trailers, the emergency trailer breakaway switch may not work properly when the pin is pulled. If the trailer separates from a tow vehicle, the trailer brakes would not self-apply.

 

EVALUATION OF RISK:

If the trailer breakaway switch does not work properly, there could be an increased risk of a crash.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

Dealership Service Department Service procedures for to replace the breakaway switch is included with this notification.

 

AVAILABILITY OF REMEDY:

The remedy for this recall is included with this notification.

 

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).

Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood PN LBS-48-16
Freedom Express PN C01286637

Parts replaced should be field destroyed

 

DEALER REPAIR CODES: Dealer Central

UNITED STATES	CANADA	REPAIR CODE	DESCRIPTION	ALLOWABLE HOUR(S)
20V049	2020-030	10-20V049	REPLACE BREAKAWAY SWITCH	.20
DEALER REPAIR CODES: Dealer Connect			OR
UNITED         CANADA STATES		REPAIR CODE	DESCRIPTION	ALLOWABLE HOUR(S)
20V049	2020-030	RC-036-01—003349	REPLACE BREAKAWAY SWITCH	.20

 

 

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION:

CONTACT	PHONE
Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood	(503) 831-5413
Freedom Express	(574) 825-8205

 

The Recall shall be considered the utmost priority to remedy the 2020 Forest River Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood travel trailer in question. The retail consumer shall not be charged any amount of monies for remedy to their 2020 Forest River Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood travel trailer listed under this Recall.

 

If your dealership has already performed the remedy to 2020 Forest River Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood travel trailer, 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 2020 Forest River Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood travel trailer  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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6 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FOREST RIVER	FREEDOM EXPRESS	2020
FOREST RIVER	SALEM	2020
FOREST RIVER	STEALTH EVO	2020
FOREST RIVER	VIBE	2020
FOREST RIVER	WILDCAT MAXX	2020
FOREST RIVER	WILDWOOD	2020

 

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10 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-1

RCLQRT-20V049-9840.PDF 211.132KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-2

RCLQRT-20V049-0435.PDF 211.23KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V049-8636.pdf 209.837KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-20V049-9489.pdf 224.424KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V049-7140.pdf 244.282KB

 

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Miscellaneous Document – Model listing

RMISC-20V049-7381.pdf 425.976KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V049-1930.PDF 213.332KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-3

RCLQRT-20V049-1228.PDF 211.319KB

 

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-20V049-5350.pdf 214.673KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V049-4247.PDF 211.428KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V049&docType=RCL

 

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