Recall 18V081 affects 53 2018 Forest River Cardinal recreational trailers missing a rear emergency exit window. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 53 2018 Cardinal recreational trailers because they were built without an emergency exit window in the rear wall. The missing exit removes a backup way out during an emergency and raises the risk of injury; Forest River dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The emergency exit window on a 2018 Forest River Cardinal is the rear wall window built to open as an escape route. In normal use, it works like a marked emergency path: the window opens from inside the trailer so occupants have another way out if the main door is blocked.
On these Cardinal trailers, the rear emergency exit window was removed from the design during the 2018 model change and was not installed at the plant. That leaves the trailer with a single egress window instead of the secondary escape path required for this layout. The remedy window uses red handle latches and top hinges so the window can open for escape.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is not a wear item that changes how the trailer tows or how an appliance runs. The issue is visible only by confirming whether the rear wall has the required emergency exit window.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Forest River Cardinal | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 53 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Forest River Cardinal trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
During an emergency, a missing secondary escape route can trap an occupant inside the vehicle and increase the risk of injury. There is no warning sign for this condition, so confirm the recall and schedule the window installation promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Forest River Cardinal is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free rear-wall emergency exit window installation that adds the missing secondary escape route.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V081 when you call.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600 with questions about scheduling or repair timing.
- Keep the trailer's main exit clear until the emergency exit window is installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician installs the missing emergency exit window in the rear wall of the Cardinal trailer. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. If you already paid out of pocket for work tied to the missing emergency exit window before the recall notice, Forest River's general reimbursement plan covers documented costs. Bring prior repair paperwork to the dealer or contact Forest River customer service for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 30, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 14, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 28, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| March 28, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 28, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V081?
Recall 18V081 covers 53 2018 Forest River Cardinal recreational trailers built without an emergency exit window in the rear wall. Forest River dealers will install the emergency exit window for free under recall number 15-0626.
What should I do if my 2018 Forest River Cardinal is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V081. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the emergency exit window installation. Reference recall number 18V081 or Forest River recall 15-0626 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 says dealers will install the emergency exit window free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Forest River dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is limited escape during an emergency. Without the rear emergency exit window, a person can be trapped inside the trailer during an emergency, increasing the risk of injury. The repair adds the missing exit window.
When did Forest River start this recall?
Forest River began this recall on February 14, 2018. Owner notices and dealer scheduling should already be in place for recall 18V081. Forest River customer service is 1-574-206-7600 if you need help identifying the correct dealer path.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V081000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-206-7600 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V081 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V081000 |
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 →