Recall 16V457 affects 2,224 2013-2016 Forest River Xlr toyhaulers for improperly seated axle equalizer bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 2,224 2013-2016 Xlr toyhaulers because the axle equalizer knurled bolt can be improperly seated in the chassis axle hanger. If the axle shifts, the driver can lose control and face a higher crash risk; Forest River dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The axle equalizer on a 2013-2016 Forest River Xlr toyhauler is part of the rear suspension that shares trailer weight between the axles as the trailer moves over bumps. It pivots on a shackle locating bolt mounted through the chassis axle hanger. That bolt is supposed to pass through both sides of the hanger so the suspension joint stays centered and clamped in place.
On affected Xlr toyhaulers, the equalizer knurled bolt was not seated correctly during installation. The shoulder of the bolt caught on the opposite side of the chassis axle hanger instead of passing fully through it. With the bolt not fully engaged, the suspension joint lacks the intended support, and the equalizer hardware does not sit in the position Forest River designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall repair procedure tells the dealer to confirm that the equalizer knurled bolt passes through both sides of the axle hanger and is not caught on the bolt shoulder.
Who's affected?
Spans 2013-2016 Xlr trailers, all tied to the same rear suspension assembly.
| 2014 Forest River Xlr | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2015 Forest River Xlr | rear suspension |
| 2016 Forest River Xlr | rear suspension |
| 2013 Forest River Xlr | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 2,224 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents 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?
An improperly installed equalizer knurled bolt can fail to secure the axle. If the axle shifts, the driver can lose vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before this happens, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Forest River Xlr is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free equalizer knurled bolt and nut replacement that secures the axle in the chassis hanger.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V457 when you call.
- Use extra caution while towing before the repair because an unsecured axle can shift and cause loss of vehicle control.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0431 with questions about scheduling or parts.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician inspects the axle equalizer knurled bolts and nuts, then replaces any that were installed improperly. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 16V457. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this recall related repair. Bring documentation of the prior repair and payment to the service desk, or contact Forest River customer service for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 22, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 16, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| August 16, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 16, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V457?
Recall 16V457 covers 2,224 2013-2016 Forest River Xlr toyhaulers with an axle equalizer knurled bolt that was not seated correctly in the chassis axle hanger. If the bolt fails to secure the axle, the axle can shift and cause loss of vehicle control.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Forest River Xlr is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific toyhauler is included in recall 16V457. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer to schedule replacement of any improperly installed equalizer knurled bolts and nuts. Reference recall 16V457 or Forest River recall number 45-06102016-0208 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Forest River dealers replace improperly installed equalizer knurled bolts and nuts free of charge under this recall. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost to the owner.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. If the equalizer knurled bolt is not installed correctly, it does not properly secure the axle, which allows the axle to shift and increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
When did Forest River start this recall?
Forest River began this recall on August 16, 2016. Owner notices and dealer repairs have been available since then, so an included 2013-2016 Forest River Xlr remains eligible for the free repair even if it changed owners.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V457000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-0431 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V457 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V457000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →