Recall 17V838 affects 3,297 2015-2018 Forest River Cherokee and Cascade recreational trailers for pinched wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 3,297 2015-2018 Cherokee and Cascade recreational trailers because trailer wiring was routed where it can be pinched between the chassis and body. Pinched wires can short circuit and increase the risk of a fire, and Forest River dealers will repair the wiring free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The wiring in 2015-2018 Forest River Cherokee and Cascade recreational trailers carries both 110V household-style power and 12V low-voltage power through the trailer body. Those wires feed electrical equipment and need a clear path between the chassis, floor, and body so the insulation is not crushed.
On affected trailers, the wires were inconsistently installed during manufacturing. A wire bundle can sit between the chassis frame and the bottom of the floor, where body movement and clamping pressure pinch the insulation. Once the insulation is damaged, current can arc or short between conductors or against the frame, causing an electrical short circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not see the pinched wire from inside the trailer because it is hidden under the floor, so inspection is needed to confirm the routing and move the wiring away from pinch points.
Who's affected?
Spans Cherokee and Cascade trailers across the 2015-2018 model years, all tied to wiring.
| 2018 Forest River Cherokee | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2017 Forest River Cherokee | wiring |
| 2016 Forest River Cherokee | wiring |
| 2017 Forest River Cascade | wiring |
| 2018 Forest River Cascade | wiring |
| 2016 Forest River Cascade | wiring |
| 2015 Forest River Cherokee | wiring |
| 2015 Forest River Cascade | wiring |
| Units affected | 3,297 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Pinched wires can short circuit, which increases the risk of a fire in the trailer. If your VIN is included, schedule the inspection soon and avoid delaying the wire rerouting if the dealer finds the harness out of position. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2018 Forest River Cherokee or Cascade trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free wiring inspection and repair.
- Ask the dealer to reroute any wiring pinched between the chassis and body, which fixes the short-circuit fire risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V838 and Forest River recall 64-0456 when you call.
- Avoid using the trailer until the wiring has been inspected and repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician inspects the trailer wiring to see whether wires are routed where the chassis and body can pinch them. If the routing is wrong, the technician reroutes the wires as needed. The inspection and repair are free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for this wiring repair before the recall notice. Ask the service desk or Forest River customer service what documentation is needed for a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 21, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 7, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 16, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 16, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 16, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V838?
Recall 17V838 covers 3,297 2015-2018 Forest River Cherokee and Cascade recreational trailers with wiring that can be pinched between the chassis and body. Pinched wires can short circuit and increase fire risk. Forest River dealers will inspect and reroute the wiring for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2018 Forest River Cherokee or Cascade is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 17V838. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the wiring inspection and rerouting. Reference recall number 17V838 or Forest River recall number 64-0456 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Forest River dealers will inspect the trailer wiring and reroute it as necessary free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The trailer wiring can be routed where the chassis and vehicle body pinch it, which can damage the wires and create a short circuit. Forest River's repair path is a dealer inspection and wiring reroute at no cost.
What if I bought my Forest River trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Cherokee or Cascade trailer is included, then call a franchised Forest River dealer and reference recall 17V838.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V838000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-541-644-8072 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V838 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V838000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (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 →