Recall 15V160 affects 1,125 2013-2014 Forest River Sabre travel trailers and fifth wheels for brake-wire damage. Repair is free at a franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 1,125 2013-2014 Sabre travel trailers and fifth wheels because brake-control wires were routed where they can chafe, break, or short. Damaged brake wiring can lengthen stopping distance and raise the risk of fire, and Forest River dealers will inspect and repair the wiring free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The electric brake wiring on a 2013-2014 Forest River Sabre carries 12 volt power from the tow vehicle to the trailer or fifth wheel brakes. When the driver brakes, that circuit helps apply the trailer brakes so the Sabre slows with the tow vehicle instead of pushing from behind.
On affected Sabre units, the brake wires were routed through the spring hangers during manufacturing. That routing lets the wires get pinched between the axle hangers and suspension parts. The insulation can rub through, the wire can break, or the circuit can short, which can leave the trailer without electric brakes. If a powered wire contacts metal suspension parts or underbelly material, heat can melt nearby material and create a fire risk.
The warning sign is a pushing effect from the trailer when the tow vehicle slows. Stopping distance increases because the trailer brakes are no longer doing their share of the work.
Who's affected?
The included model years share the same wiring component.
| 2014 Forest River Sabre | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2013 Forest River Sabre | wiring |
| Units affected | 1,125 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Damaged brake control wires can unexpectedly lengthen the distance needed to stop the trailer and increase crash risk. If the trailer pushes the tow vehicle or braking feels reduced, slow down, pull over safely, and arrange service before towing again. A wire short also raises fire risk. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Forest River Sabre trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free brake-wire inspection and rerouting that addresses wires routed where they chafe, break, or short.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V160 when you call.
- Allow the dealer to inspect the trailer before towing it again for regular use.
- Keep extra stopping distance when towing until the brake wiring repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician inspects the trailer and reroutes the brake wires where the routing creates chafing, broken wires, or shorting risk. The inspection and any needed wire rerouting are free under the recall. If you had this brake wire repair performed before receiving the recall letter, Forest River says you are eligible for reimbursement of the full cost. Provide the repair invoice to Sabre RV, care of Forest River, Attn: Warranty Manager, 2412 Century Drive, Goshen, Indiana 46528.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 20, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 3, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| April 3, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 3, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 6, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 17, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V160?
Recall 15V160 covers 1,125 2013-2014 Forest River Sabre travel trailers and fifth wheels with brake-control wires routed incorrectly. The wires can chafe, break, or short, which can lengthen stopping distance and increase crash or fire risk. Forest River dealers inspect and reroute the wires for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Forest River Sabre is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 15V160. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer to schedule the brake-wire inspection and rerouting. Reference recall number 15V160 or Forest River recall 430-03112015-0017 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Forest River dealers inspect the trailer and reroute the brake-control wires, as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V160?
The safety risk is longer stopping distance and fire risk. If the brake-control wires are damaged, the trailer brakes can lose proper control input. A short in those wires can also create a fire risk. The free dealer repair addresses the wire routing problem.
What if I bought my Forest River Sabre used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sabre is included, then give the recall number to a Forest River dealer when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V160000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-389-4600 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V160 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V160000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →