Recall 17V846 affects 52 2017-2018 Forest River Georgetown RVs for a HECU brake-fluid leak. Ford or Lincoln dealers inspect and repair free.
Forest River is recalling 52 2017-2018 Georgetown recreational vehicles because missing valve block ball plugs in the ABS hydraulic electronic control unit can cause a brake fluid leak or pull air into the brake system. That defect can lengthen stopping distance and raise crash risk; Forest River dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, or HECU, on the 2017-2018 Forest River Georgetown is part of the antilock brake system. It helps manage brake pressure when the ABS or electronic brake distribution system steps in, such as during hard braking or when wheel speed changes. In normal operation, the valve block inside that unit must stay sealed so brake fluid pressure stays controlled.
In affected Georgetown motorhomes, the ABS control modules came from a supplier pallet that had not completed assembly. The HECU valve block was missing required ball plugs, which are small plugs that close off fluid passages inside the block. When ABS or electronic brake distribution activates, the open passages can let brake fluid leak out or let air enter the brake hydraulic system.
An owner has one specific warning sign to watch for. If enough brake fluid is lost, the brake warning light can appear in the instrument cluster.
Who's affected?
Both model years use the same hydraulic brake system component in the recall scope.
| 2017 Forest River Georgetown | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Forest River Georgetown | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 52 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
A brake fluid leak or air in the brake system lengthens the distance needed to stop and increases the risk of a crash. If the brake warning light comes on, stop in a safe place and call the dealer before driving farther. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Forest River Georgetown is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free brake HECU inspection and replacement if the unit is missing valve block ball plugs.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River sent one. If not, reference recall number 17V846 and Forest River recall 68-0606 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection and any HECU replacement are complete; leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking.
What happens at the repair
At a Ford or Lincoln dealer, the brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit is inspected for missing valve block ball plugs. If the HECU is missing those plugs, the dealer replaces the unit. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall work was done. If you already paid for a related brake HECU repair, ask Forest River customer service what documentation they need for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 28, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 23, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 23, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 23, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V846?
Recall 17V846 covers 52 2017-2018 Forest River Georgetown recreational vehicles built on Ford chassis with ABS hydraulic control units that lack valve block ball plugs. The defect can cause a brake fluid leak or air ingestion during ABS or electronic brake distribution activation.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Forest River Georgetown is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 17V846. If it is, contact a Ford or Lincoln dealer for an inspection of the brake hydraulic electronic control unit. The dealer will replace the unit if the valve block ball plugs are missing.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the safety recall repair at no cost, and the recall remedy says Ford or Lincoln dealers will inspect the HECU and replace it if needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is longer stopping distance. A brake fluid leak or air ingestion during ABS or electronic brake distribution activation can make the 2017-2018 Forest River Georgetown take more distance to stop, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V846000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V846 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V846000 |
Source documents
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 →