Recall 17V059 covers 67 2017-2018 Forest River Berkshire and Charleston recreational vehicles for power-steering-hose routing. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 67 2017-2018 Berkshire and Charleston recreational vehicles because a misrouted power steering hose can rub against a power stud, causing arcing and a power steering fluid leak. Arcing near high-pressure power steering fluid can raise the risk of a fire, and Forest River dealers will reroute the hose free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The affected part is the power steering hose on 2017-2018 Forest River Berkshire and Charleston recreational vehicles built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation RV chassis. This hose carries power steering fluid through the hydraulic steering assist system, which helps the driver turn the coach with less effort. The hose needs clear space around it because it moves and vibrates with normal chassis operation.
On affected vehicles, the hose was routed too close to a power stud. That poor clearance lets the hose rub against the stud as the vehicle is driven. The rubbing can wear into the hose, and contact with the power stud can also cause electrical arcing. Once the hose is damaged, power steering fluid can leak from the steering assist system.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first clue can be a steering fluid leak or a change in steering assist after the hose has already been damaged.
Who's affected?
Covers Berkshire and Charleston motorhomes across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all tied to the power steering system.
| 2018 Forest River Berkshire | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2017 Forest River Charleston | power steering system |
| 2018 Forest River Charleston | power steering system |
| 2017 Forest River Berkshire | power steering system |
| Units affected | 67 |
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?
Electrical arcing near a high-pressure power steering fluid leak increases the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, do not ignore any power steering fluid leak, and schedule the hose rerouting soon. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Forest River Berkshire or Charleston is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free power-steering-hose rerouting, which gives the hose proper clearance from the power stud.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V059 when you call.
- Watch for steering-fluid leaks or electrical arcing signs until the repair is complete, and park the RV away from ignition sources if you see or smell leaking fluid.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician reroutes the power steering hose so it has proper clearance from the power stud. The repair is free under recall 17V059, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid out of pocket for a related power steering hose repair, Forest River's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Ask the service desk how to submit repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 26, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 21, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| March 21, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 21, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 22, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V059?
Recall 17V059 covers 67 2017-2018 Forest River Berkshire and Charleston recreational vehicles built on FCCC RV chassis. The power steering hose can be routed too close to a power stud, which can cause rubbing, arcing, and a power steering fluid leak. FCCC dealers will reroute the hose for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Forest River Berkshire or Charleston is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific RV is included in recall 17V059. If it is, contact Forest River customer service or an FCCC dealer to schedule the power steering hose rerouting. Reference Forest River recall number 40-01182017-0311 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Forest River says FCCC dealers will reroute the power steering hose for proper clearance free of charge. The recall repair began on March 22, 2017, so affected owners can contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-295-2117 for repair direction.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. If the power steering hose rubs the power stud, it can arc and leak power steering fluid under high pressure. That combination increases fire risk. The fix is to have an FCCC dealer reroute the hose so it has proper clearance.
What if I bought this Forest River RV used?
The free recall repair still applies to the vehicle. Used RV buyers miss mailed recall notices, so check your VIN to confirm whether your Berkshire or Charleston is included. If it is, give the recall number to Forest River customer service or the FCCC dealer when scheduling the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V059000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-295-2117 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V059 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V059000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →