Recall 18V386 affects 152 2019 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers for an axle equalizer defect. Free repair at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 152 2019 Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers because the axle equalizer can let the axle contact the chassis. That contact raises the risk of axle failure and a crash, and Forest River dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear suspension equalizer on 2019 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers is a metal link in the axle suspension. Its job is to let the trailer axles move through normal up and down travel while keeping the load shared between them. That movement needs enough clearance between the axle and the trailer chassis.
On affected trailers, the equalizer specified during development is too short. During normal axle jounce, the axle can rise far enough to contact the chassis instead of moving freely below it. Forest River's repair uses a taller equalizer kit, which creates the needed clearance so the axle does not strike the chassis.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a reliable early symptom before the axle contacts the chassis.
Who's affected?
Covers both Wildwood and Salem travel-trailer lines with the same rear suspension component.
| 2019 Forest River Wildwood | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2019 Forest River Salem | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 152 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching 2019 Forest River Wildwood or Salem does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the axle contacts the chassis, axle failure can follow, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the recall repair soon and use caution when towing until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Forest River Wildwood or Salem trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free taller axle-equalizer replacement that keeps the axle from contacting the chassis.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V386 and Forest River recall 72-0753 when you call.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058 with questions about scheduling or repair timing.
- Limit towing until the repair, and stop using the trailer if the axle contacts the chassis.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the axle equalizer kit with a taller equalizer kit so the axle has the needed clearance from the chassis. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for this recall. If you already paid for an axle equalizer repair tied to this condition, ask Forest River customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 8, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 27, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 18, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 18, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 18, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V386?
Recall 18V386 covers 152 2019 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers with an axle equalizer that allows the axle to contact the chassis. If that happens, axle failure can increase crash risk. Forest River dealers replace the equalizer kit with a taller kit for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Forest River Wildwood or Salem is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V386. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the taller axle equalizer kit replacement. Reference recall number 18V386 or Forest River recall number 72-0753 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Forest River dealers replace the axle equalizer kit with a taller equalizer kit free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is axle failure. The recalled trailers have an axle equalizer that allows the axle to contact the chassis, and that failure can increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then have the dealer install the taller equalizer kit.
When did Forest River start this recall repair?
Forest River began this recall on June 27, 2018, and the repair is available. Owners can contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058 or work with a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free axle equalizer kit replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V386000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-534-4058 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V386 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V386000 |
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 →