Recall 15V551 covers 57 2012-2016 Foretravel Nimbus, IH45, and Phenix motorhomes with loose front suspension ball joints. Repair is free at any franchised Foretravel dealer.
Foretravel is recalling 57 2012-2016 Nimbus, IH45, and Phenix motorhomes because loose ball joints in the independent front suspension can separate from the steering linkage. That loss of steering control increases crash risk, and Foretravel dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2012-2016 Foretravel Nimbus, IH45, and Phenix motorhomes use an independent front suspension. In that setup, upper and lower ball joints connect the control arms to the steering knuckle. The ball joints act like strong pivots, letting the front wheels steer while the suspension moves up and down over the road.
On affected Class A motorhomes, those front suspension ball joints are loose. A loose joint has play where the pivot is supposed to stay tight, so the wheel is not held as firmly as designed. Under steering and road loads, that looseness lets movement pass through the suspension instead of being controlled by the joint.
The recall does not list a driver warning sign. There is no warning sign before failure. If the front end feels loose, clunks, wanders, or does not track straight, treat that as a service concern and have the motorhome inspected before more driving.
Who's affected?
Covers the Nimbus, IH45, and Phenix across the 2012-2016 model years, with both lower and upper control arms in scope.
| 2016 Foretravel Nimbus | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| 2016 Foretravel Nimbus | upper control arm |
| 2012 Foretravel IH45 | lower control arm |
| 2012 Foretravel IH45 | upper control arm |
| 2013 Foretravel IH45 | lower control arm |
| 2013 Foretravel IH45 | upper control arm |
| 2014 Foretravel IH45 | lower control arm |
| 2014 Foretravel IH45 | upper control arm |
| 2016 Foretravel Phenix | lower control arm |
| 2016 Foretravel Phenix | upper control arm |
| 2013 Foretravel Nimbus | lower control arm |
| 2013 Foretravel Nimbus | upper control arm |
| 2013 Foretravel Phenix | lower control arm |
| 2013 Foretravel Phenix | upper control arm |
| 2012 Foretravel Phenix | lower control arm |
| 2012 Foretravel Phenix | upper control arm |
| 2016 Foretravel IH45 | lower control arm |
| 2016 Foretravel IH45 | upper control arm |
| 2012 Foretravel Nimbus | lower control arm |
| 2012 Foretravel Nimbus | upper control arm |
| 2015 Foretravel Nimbus | lower control arm |
| 2015 Foretravel Nimbus | upper control arm |
| 2014 Foretravel Phenix | lower control arm |
| 2014 Foretravel Phenix | upper control arm |
| 2015 Foretravel IH45 | lower control arm |
| 2015 Foretravel IH45 | upper control arm |
| 2015 Foretravel Phenix | lower control arm |
| 2015 Foretravel Phenix | upper control arm |
| 2014 Foretravel Nimbus | lower control arm |
| 2014 Foretravel Nimbus | upper control arm |
| Units affected | 57 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose ball joint can separate from the steering linkage, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk. Limit driving until the motorhome is inspected, and call a Foretravel dealer for the ball-joint check. Repair is free at any franchised Foretravel dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2016 Foretravel Nimbus, IH45, or Phenix is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Foretravel dealer to schedule the free front ball-joint inspection and tightening.
- Give the dealer recall number 15V551 when you call, and bring the owner letter if you have it.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, because a loose ball joint can separate and cause loss of steering control.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Foretravel technician inspects the independent front suspension and checks the ball joints for looseness. If a ball joint is loose, the technician tightens it under the recall. The inspection and any required tightening are free, with parts and labor covered by Foretravel. This recall applies to the included 2012-2016 Nimbus, IH45, and Phenix motorhomes, but the VIN decides whether a specific motorhome is covered. When you schedule service, ask the dealer to reference recall 15V551 and confirm the ball-joint inspection before the motorhome goes into the bay.
Timeline
| September 2, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 6, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 19, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| October 19, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 2, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V551?
Recall 15V551 covers 57 2012-2016 Foretravel Nimbus, IH45, and Phenix motorhomes with independent front suspensions that have loose ball joints. A loose ball joint can separate from the steering linkage, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk. Foretravel dealers inspect and tighten the ball joints for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2016 Foretravel Nimbus, IH45, or Phenix is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 15V551. If it is, contact a franchised Foretravel dealer to schedule the front suspension inspection and ball-joint tightening. Reference recall number 15V551 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost. Foretravel dealers will inspect the affected motorhomes and tighten the ball joints as needed free of charge, regardless of where the motorhome was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. If a loose ball joint separates from the steering linkage, the driver can lose steering control and crash risk increases. Until the repair is complete, ask the dealer whether the motorhome is safe to drive to the appointment.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V551000 |
|---|---|
| Foretravel customer service | 1-800-955-6226 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V551 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V551000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →