RecallNotify
Sign up Check my VIN
Home/ Recalls/ Forest River/ 13V203
Campaign 13V203 Posted May 17, 2013 9,526 units

2013-2014 Forest River RV Recall 13V203: Awning Motor

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 13V203 covers 9,526 2013-2014 Forest River RV models with awning motor screws that shear. Motor replacement is free.

Forest River is recalling 9,526 2013-2014 recreational vehicles, including Cherokee, Columbus, and Catalina models, because a power awning motor design change can shear the motor assembly screws. If the screws shear, the awning can unfurl while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of injury or a crash; the Forest River dealer repair will be free once available.

Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?

The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.

Check my VIN at NHTSA

RecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.

What's wrong?

The power awning motor assembly on affected 2013-2014 Forest River recreational vehicles drives the awning in and out and helps hold the awning hardware in position. The motor assembly depends on its mounting screws staying intact, because those screws keep the motor secured to the awning structure while it operates.

Forest River traced the defect to a design change in the power awning motor assembly. With that design, the motor assembly screws can shear without the owner knowing. Once the screws shear, the motor is no longer held the way it was designed to be held, and the awning assembly no longer has the same secure attachment.

There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not given a clear notice before the screws let go, so the defect has to be handled through the recall repair rather than by watching for a symptom.

Who's affected?

The scope spans travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, truck campers, and motorhomes sold under Forest River, Coachmen, Palomino, Shasta, Prime Time, and Cargo Mate badges.

2013 Forest River Cherokee Equipment
2013 Palomino Columbus Equipment
2013 Forest River Evo Equipment
2013 Forest River Flagstaff Equipment
2013 Forest River Sandpiper Equipment
Units affected9,526

A matching model name does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific RV is included.

What's the safety risk?

An awning that unfurls unexpectedly can injure people near the vehicle and increase crash risk if it opens in transit. Because the filing does not list a warning sign before the motor screws shear, schedule service soon and keep the awning secured until the motor replacement is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Forest River dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Forest River RV is included in this recall.
  2. Do not drive the vehicle until the awning motor repair is complete.
  3. Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved for service; do not drive it there yourself.
  4. Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free awning motor replacement that fixes the shearing motor assembly screws.
  5. Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V203 when you call.

What happens at the repair

Forest River began the safety recall on July 29, 2013. The known repair is to replace the affected power awning motors with motors of a different design, handled by Dometic staff through the recall process. Because the remedy status is not listed as available here, confirm the repair path before driving or moving the RV. Do not drive the vehicle until the awning motor repair is complete. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.

Timeline

May 17, 2013 NHTSA published the recall
July 29, 2013 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 13V203?

Recall 13V203 covers 9,526 2013-2014 Forest River RVs and related brands with power awning motor assembly screws that can shear. If the screws fail, the awning can unfurl while parked or in transit, increasing injury and crash risk.

What should I do if my 2013-2014 Forest River RV is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific RV is included in recall 13V203. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer or Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 and ask how to complete the awning motor repair before moving the vehicle.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 13V203, Forest River said Dometic staff would replace the affected awning motors with motors of a different design, with parts and labor covered.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is an awning that opens without warning while the RV is parked or traveling. An unfurled awning can strike a person near the vehicle or create a road hazard in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.

What if I bought this Forest River RV used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific RV is included, then reference recall 13V203 when you call a franchised Forest River dealer.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V203000
Forest River customer service1-574-389-4600
NHTSA recall #13V203
NHTSA recall # (full)13V203000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →