Recall 16V285 covers 62 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire and Cross Country vehicles for loose front sway bar bolts. Dealer repair is free.
Forest River is recalling 62 2016-2017 Berkshire and Cross Country recreational vehicles because the front sway bar mounting brackets do not fit the axle properly, which can bend or loosen the mounting bolts. If those bolts loosen, the sway bar can detach, affect handling, and raise crash risk; the Forest River dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front sway bar on the 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire and Cross Country is a suspension part mounted across the front axle. It helps resist body roll, keeping the motorhome steadier when it turns, changes lanes, or reacts to uneven pavement. Mounting brackets and bolts hold that bar tight to the axle so it can do its job.
On the affected motorhomes, the front sway bar mounting brackets do not fit the axle properly. Because the bracket does not sit as designed, the mounting bolts can bend or loosen as the suspension moves. Once the hardware loses clamping force, the sway bar cannot control body movement the way it should, and the loosened parts can affect steering feel.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the bracket or bolts have already loosened, an owner can notice unusual front end movement, steering that feels less settled, or noise from the front suspension, but the recall record does not identify a reliable early symptom.
Who's affected?
Scope spans Berkshire and Cross Country motorhomes from the 2016-2017 model years, with front suspension and steering listed for each model.
| 2017 Forest River Berkshire | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 2017 Forest River Berkshire | steering system |
| 2016 Forest River Berkshire | front suspension |
| 2016 Forest River Berkshire | steering system |
| 2016 Coachmen Cross Country | front suspension |
| 2016 Coachmen Cross Country | steering system |
| Units affected | 62 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the sway bar bolts loosen, the sway bar can detach from the axle. That affects handling and increases the risk of a crash. Schedule the recall repair when it opens and call the dealer if the vehicle feels unstable. Repair will be free at any franchised Forest River dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire or Cross Country is included in this recall.
- Wait for Forest River or DTNA repair instructions before scheduling service, since this recall is listed as under development.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions, and reference recall number 16V285 when you call.
- Keep driving cautious until the sway-bar mounting repair is complete; loose bolts can let the sway bar detach and affect handling.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River has mailed one, plus any service records related to front sway-bar or steering work.
What happens at the repair
Forest River says the repair is to modify the mounting of the front sway bar on the Daimler Trucks chassis. The work is meant to correct mounting brackets that do not fit the axle properly and allow the bolts to bend or loosen. Because the remedy status is still listed as under development, do not treat this as a repair you can schedule from this page. The final dealer repair will be free once available. Ask the service desk to confirm the repair path for your VIN.
Timeline
| May 11, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 4, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| July 4, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 4, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V285?
Recall 16V285 covers 62 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire and 2016 Coachmen Cross Country recreational vehicles built on Daimler Trucks chassis. The front sway bar mounting brackets can fit improperly on the axle, causing the mounting bolts to bend or loosen.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire or Coachmen Cross Country is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 16V285. If it is, contact a Daimler Trucks dealer or Forest River customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to arrange the sway bar mounting modification. Reference recall number 16V285 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost. For recall 16V285, Daimler Trucks dealers will modify the sway bar mounting for free, including the covered parts and labor tied to the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced handling control. If the sway bar bolts loosen, the sway bar can detach from the axle, affecting handling and increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair before taking another trip.
When did Forest River notify owners about recall 16V285?
Forest River began the recall on June 30, 2016. If you bought the recreational vehicle used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then call the dealer with recall number 16V285.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V285000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V285 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V285000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →