Recall 16V682 affects 45 2016-2017 Forest River Amera-Lite cargo trailers for weak drawbars. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 45 2016-2017 Amera-Lite cargo trailers because the steel tubes used for the drawbars are too thin for the trailer's GVWR. If the drawbars fracture during operation, the driver can lose control or the trailer can detach from the tow vehicle; Forest River dealers will repair the trailer free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The drawbars on a 2016-2017 Forest River Amera-Lite cargo trailer are the steel hitch structure at the front of the trailer. They connect the trailer body to the coupler and tow vehicle, and they carry the pulling and braking loads every time the trailer moves.
On affected Amera-Lite trailers, the steel tubes used for the drawbars are too thin for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the maximum loaded weight the trailer is built to carry. Forest River identified drawbars made with gauge steel tube that was not strong enough for that rating. Under towing load, the drawbar structure can crack, bend, or fail because it does not have the specified tube thickness.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not assume a trailer that looks normal has the correct drawbar steel tube; the defect is in the tube specification, not an exterior accessory.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2016 and 2017 Amera-Lite model years, with trailer hitches listed as the shared component.
| 2016 Forest River Amera-Lite | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| 2017 Forest River Amera-Lite | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 45 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
The drawbars can fracture during towing, which can lead to loss of control or the trailer separating from the tow vehicle and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the replacement promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Forest River Amera-Lite is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free drawbar replacement that fixes the insufficient-thickness trailer-hitch tubes.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V682 when you call.
- Inspect the drawbar before towing and stop using the trailer if you see cracks, bending, or loose hitch components.
- Tow cautiously until the repair is complete. Keep speed down and leave extra stopping distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the trailer drawbars covered by recall 16V682. The new drawbars address the steel tube thickness issue described in the recall filing, so the trailer has drawbars matched to its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm that both drawbars are included before the trailer is returned.
Timeline
| September 21, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 24, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 16, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| November 16, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 16, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V682?
Recall 16V682 covers 45 2016-2017 Forest River Amera-Lite cargo trailers with drawbars made from steel tubing that is too thin for the trailer's GVWR. The drawbars can fracture during operation, causing loss of control or trailer detachment. Forest River dealers will replace the drawbars for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Forest River Amera-Lite is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V682. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer to schedule the drawbar replacement. Reference recall number 16V682 and Forest River recall number 24-09142016-0244 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River will replace the affected drawbars free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a Forest River dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is drawbar fracture during operation. If the drawbars fail, the driver can lose control, or the trailer can detach from the tow vehicle. Either scenario increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, avoid towing until the dealer completes the free repair.
What if I bought this Forest River Amera-Lite used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your Amera-Lite is included, then contact a Forest River dealer and reference recall 16V682 when scheduling the drawbar replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V682000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-848-9216 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V682 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V682000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →