Recall 18V051 covers 1,349 2017-2018 Forest River recreational trailers with Smart-Jack tongue jacks that can move unexpectedly. Repair is free at a franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 1,349 2017-2018 Xlr, Freedom Express, Viking, Rockwood, Flagstaff, and Palomino recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The jack's laminated plastic touch pad can crack or separate and let water in, so the jack can retract or extend unexpectedly and raise the risk of a crash or injury; Forest River dealers will repair it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Smart-Jack power tongue jack on these 2017-2018 Forest River recreational trailers raises and lowers the trailer tongue during hitching, unhitching, and leveling. Its touch pad is the button panel that tells the jack motor when to move. That panel needs to keep water away from the electronics behind it.
On affected Xlr, Freedom Express, Viking, Rockwood, Flagstaff, and Palomino trailers, the laminated plastic touch pad can crack or separate. Once the overlay opens, water can reach the circuit board and buttons. Wet electronics can send the wrong signal to the jack, causing it to operate on its own instead of only when the owner presses a button.
Owners can see the problem before the jack acts on its own. Look for bubbling, discoloration, fogging, or cracking on the plastic switch overlay.
Who's affected?
Covers 6 trailer lines across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all with integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer equipment.
| 2018 Forest River Xlr | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
|---|---|
| 2018 Coachmen Freedom Express | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| 2017 Coachmen Viking | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| 2018 Forest River Rockwood | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| 2018 Coachmen Viking | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| 2017 Forest River Xlr | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| 2018 Forest River Flagstaff | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| 2018 Forest River Palomino | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| 2017 Forest River Palomino | Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer |
| Units affected | 1,349 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
In NHTSA campaign 18V051, unexpected tongue jack movement increases the risk of a crash or injury. Watch for bubbling, discoloration, fogging, or cracking on the plastic switch overlay before using or moving the trailer. Schedule the recall repair soon and keep hands and feet clear of the jack during hookup. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Forest River Xlr, Freedom Express, Viking, Rockwood, Flagstaff, or Palomino trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free power tongue jack replacement for the Smart-Jack touch pad condition linked to water entry and unintended jack operation.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V051 when you call.
- Keep clear of the tongue jack while hitching, parking, or loading the trailer until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the Smart Jack model power tongue jack covered by recall 18V051. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair has been open since the recall began on February 20, 2018. If you already paid for a related power tongue jack repair before recall work was completed, ask Forest River customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation under the general reimbursement plan on file.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 12, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 20, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 9, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| March 9, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 9, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V051?
Recall 18V051 covers 1,349 2017-2018 Forest River recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The laminated plastic touch pad can crack or separate, letting water enter and causing unintended jack operation. Forest River or Lippert dealers replace the power tongue jack for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Forest River Xlr, Freedom Express, Viking, Rockwood, Flagstaff, or Palomino is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V051. If it is, contact a Forest River or Lippert dealer to schedule the power tongue jack replacement. Reference Forest River recall number 51-0610 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Forest River says a Forest River or Lippert dealer will replace the power tongue jack free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintended tongue jack movement. If the jack retracts or extends unexpectedly, the trailer can create an increased risk of a crash or injury. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free power tongue jack replacement with a Forest River or Lippert dealer.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a cracked or separating laminated plastic touch pad on the Smart-Jack power tongue jack. Water entering through that touch pad can make the jack operate unintentionally. Do not rely on a visible crack alone. Check your VIN to confirm whether the recall applies.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V051000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-5164 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V051 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V051000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation 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 →