Recall 17V635 affects 742 2018 Forest River Puma trailers for wheel center caps that blocked wheel tightening. Free repair at a franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 742 2018 Puma recreational trailers because wheel center caps interfered during installation, leaving wheels improperly tightened. Loose wheels can detach while the trailer is moving and increase crash risk; Forest River dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The wheel center cap on a 2018 Forest River Puma recreational trailer sits at the center of the wheel and covers the hub area. The wheel itself must sit flat against the axle hub, and the lug nuts must hold that joint tight so the trailer wheel stays properly clamped while towing.
On affected Puma trailers, the plastic center cap sat between the wheel and the hub surface during installation. That extra plastic material interfered with the wheel seating fully against the axle hub. Even when the lug nuts were tightened at the plant, the clamping force dropped after a short period because the wheel was not seated against a clean mating surface.
The warning signs are loose lug nuts during trip inspections and vibration felt through the towing vehicle. If either shows up, the wheel joint has already lost torque and needs service before the trailer is towed farther.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Forest River Puma | wheel hardware |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 742 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
If a wheel loosens or detaches while the trailer is moving, crash risk increases. During trip inspections, treat loose lug nuts or vibration felt through the towing vehicle as a reason to stop towing and call a Forest River dealer. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Forest River Puma is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free wheel-center-cap replacement that lets the trailer wheels be tightened properly.
- Reference recall number 17V635 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the dealer completes the center-cap repair and checks wheel tightness.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician removes the plastic wheel center cap that interferes with proper wheel tightening and installs a different center cap. The recall repair is available, and parts and labor are covered. Forest River's reimbursement plan covers labor costs tied to removing the plastic wheel center cap and remounting the tire and rim assembly. If you already paid for that work, ask the service desk or Forest River customer service how to submit repair documentation for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 9, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 5, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| December 5, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 5, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V635?
Recall 17V635 covers 742 2018 Forest River Puma recreational trailers with wheel center caps that interfered during wheel installation, leaving the wheels improperly tightened. Loose wheels can detach while the trailer is moving and increase crash risk. Forest River dealers remove the plastic center caps and install different center caps for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Forest River Puma is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V635. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the center-cap replacement. Reference Forest River recall number 420-0537 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. Forest River dealers will remove the plastic wheel center cap and install a different center cap free of charge under recall 17V635.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel separation while the trailer is moving. If the wheels were not properly tightened because of center-cap interference, a wheel can loosen and detach, increasing crash risk. Check your VIN and have a Forest River dealer complete the free repair.
When did the Forest River Puma recall repair start?
The recall repair began on November 1, 2017. Since that date has passed, affected owners can contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free center-cap replacement and reference recall 17V635 or Forest River recall number 420-0537.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V635000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-0588 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V635 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V635000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →