Recall 17V336 covers 17 2016-2018 Forest River Cardinal trailers with overstated axle-rating labels. Free replacement placards and CCC labels are available from Forest River dealers.
Forest River is recalling 17 of its 2016-2018 Cardinal recreational trailers because the federal placard overstates each axle's gross axle weight rating by 840 pounds. That error makes the cargo carrying capacity label wrong, can lead to overloading, and can affect vehicle control; Forest River dealers will correct the placard free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The federal placard on a 2016-2018 Forest River Cardinal is the weight label that tells an owner and service shop how much load the trailer is rated to carry on its axles. It lists the Gross Axle Weight Rating, or GAWR, which is the maximum weight allowed on an axle, and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR, which is the trailer's total rated weight.
On the affected Cardinal trailers, the placard was printed with the wrong axle rating. The trailers were built with 6,000 lbs. rated axles, but the label used information for 7,000 pound axles. That data entry error overstated the GAWR by 840 lbs. for each axle, so an owner following the label would have an incorrect loading limit.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the certification label itself, so the trailer will not give a sound, light, or handling change that tells you the weight rating on the placard is wrong.
Who's affected?
Covers the Cardinal across 3 model years, all tied to the vehicle label (placard or certification).
| 2017 Forest River Cardinal | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2016 Forest River Cardinal | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Forest River Cardinal | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| Units affected | 17 |
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?
An incorrect GAWR and CCC label can lead an owner to load the Cardinal beyond its safe rating. An overloaded vehicle affects control and increases the risk of a crash. Because there is no warning sign, confirm the label repair before carrying heavy cargo. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2018 Forest River Cardinal is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free Federal Placard and CCC label replacement that corrects the axle-weight and cargo-carrying labels.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River sent one. If not, reference recall number 17V336 when you call.
- Avoid loading the trailer near the posted capacity until the corrected labels are installed.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600 with questions about recall number 17V336.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician provides a corrected Federal Placard with the right Gross Axle Weight Rating and a new CCC label. The replacement labels and labor are free under the recall. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for related out-of-pocket costs. If you paid for a matching placard or label correction before the recall work, contact Forest River customer service with your repair paperwork and receipts so the claim can be reviewed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 24, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 6, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 20, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| July 20, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 20, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V336?
Recall 17V336 covers 17 2016-2018 Forest River Cardinal CAF3250RL recreational trailers with Federal Placard labels that overstate each axle's GAWR by 840 lbs. Forest River dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard and Cargo Carrying Capacity label for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2018 Forest River Cardinal is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V336. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the corrected Federal Placard and Cargo Carrying Capacity label installation. Reference recall number 17V336 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Forest River dealers will provide the corrected Federal Placard and Cargo Carrying Capacity label free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The incorrect axle-weight label can lead an owner to overload the trailer. An overloaded trailer affects vehicle control and increases crash risk. Until the corrected labels are installed, do not rely on the overstated GAWR shown on the old Federal Placard.
What if I bought my Forest River Cardinal used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Cardinal is included, then contact a franchised Forest River dealer or Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V336000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-206-7600 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V336 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V336000 |
Source documents
-
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →