Recall 18V428 affects 110 2019 Forest River Wildwood and Salem trailers with miswired break-away safety switches. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 110 2019 Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers because the break-away safety switch was wired without constant power. If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, the brakes can fail to apply and increase crash risk; Forest River dealers will correct the wiring free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The break-away safety switch on a 2019 Forest River Wildwood or Salem trailer is part of the trailer brake system. Its job is to apply the trailer brakes if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. For that to work, the switch needs steady battery power even when the trailer's house battery disconnect switch is turned off.
On affected trailers, the switch was not wired to a constant power source during production. The wiring path let the house battery disconnect switch shut off power to the break-away switch. If the trailer separates while that switch has no power, the trailer brakes do not automatically apply, leaving the trailer without that backup braking function.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is in the wiring path, so an owner will not hear, feel, or see a change during normal towing.
Who's affected?
Wildwood and Salem trailer lines are listed under the same wiring component.
| 2019 Forest River Wildwood | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2019 Forest River Salem | wiring |
| Units affected | 110 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents 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 trailer detaches from the tow vehicle and does not brake, the loose trailer can increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the breakaway system is needed, so schedule the wiring harness repair soon. 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 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free wiring-harness repair that connects the break-away safety switch to constant power.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V428 and Forest River recall 69-0764 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the repair is complete if the dealer advises parking it first.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician installs a new wiring harness for the trailer breakaway safety switch so the switch has the constant power connection needed for the trailer brakes to apply if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related wiring repair before the recall notice, ask Forest River customer service about submitting documentation under its standard reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 25, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 25, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 4, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 4, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 4, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V428?
Recall 18V428 covers 110 2019 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers with a break-away safety switch wiring defect. The switch is not connected to constant power, so the trailer brakes can fail to apply automatically if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle.
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 18V428. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer and ask for recall 69-0764. The dealer will install a new wiring harness free of charge.
Does the Forest River recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River dealers will install the new wiring harness free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
What is the safety risk with this Forest River trailer recall?
The safety risk is loss of automatic trailer braking after separation from the tow vehicle. If the break-away switch lacks constant power, the trailer brakes can fail to apply, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and have the wiring harness repair completed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V428000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-534-4058 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V428 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V428000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (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 →