Recall 17V517 affects 69 2018 Forest River Rockwood and Flagstaff trailers for overtightened axle spindle nuts. Dexter axle dealers will inspect and repair free.
Forest River is recalling 69 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers equipped with Dexter axles because the spindle nut was not torqued to specification. An overtightened nut can make the hub bearings fail and let the tire and rim separate from the axle, causing loss of control; Forest River dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The axle spindle on 2018 Forest River Rockwood and Flagstaff trailers is the fixed shaft at the end of the axle where the wheel hub and bearings ride. The spindle nut holds that hub and bearing assembly at the correct tightness, so the wheel can rotate while staying secured to the axle.
On affected trailers, Dexter Axle did not install the spindle nut within the required torque range. Torque is the measured tightness of the nut. If the nut is outside that range, the hub and bearings do not stay loaded the way they were designed. Heat can build in the bearing grease, the hub can loosen, and the wheel assembly can separate from the axle.
Before failure, an operator can feel vibration from the trailer. Smoke can also appear as the bearing grease heats.
Who's affected?
Covers two Forest River trailer lines from the same model year, with rear suspension listed for both.
| 2018 Forest River Rockwood | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2018 Forest River Flagstaff | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 69 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
An overtightened nut can damage the hub bearings until the tire and rim separate from the axle. That can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. If you feel vibration or see smoke near the wheel area, pull over safely and call the dealer before towing again. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Forest River Rockwood or Flagstaff is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free axle inspection.
- Schedule the bearing, hub, and spindle-nut service that fixes the improperly torqued axle spindle nut.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V517 when you call.
- Tow cautiously until the inspection is complete, since bearing failure can let the tire and rim separate from the axle.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician inspects the Dexter axle bearings, hubs, and spindle nuts, then replaces any suspect bearings, hubs, or spindle nuts covered by the recall. Parts and labor are covered. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related axle repair before the recall work. Keep your repair order and payment records, then ask Forest River customer service how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 23, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 19, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| October 19, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 19, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V517?
Recall 17V517 covers 69 2018 Forest River Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers equipped with Dexter axles. The spindle nut on the axle was not torqued to specification, which can damage hub bearings and let the tire and rim separate from the axle.
What should I do if my 2018 Forest River Rockwood or Flagstaff is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V517. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer or Dexter axle dealer for inspection and replacement of suspect bearings, hubs, and spindle nuts. Reference Forest River recall number 10C-0496 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River's remedy provides free inspection and replacement of any suspect bearings, hubs, and spindle nuts through Dexter axle dealers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. An overtightened spindle nut can cause hub bearing failure, and the tire and rim can separate from the axle. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection before towing the trailer again.
What if I bought this Forest River trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 Rockwood or Flagstaff is included, then call a Forest River dealer or Dexter axle dealer with recall number 17V517.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V517000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-5164 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V517 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V517000 |
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 →