Recall 18V527 covers 2,582 2018-2019 Forest River recreational trailers with awnings that can deploy while moving. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 2,582 2018-2019 Rockwood, Forester, Xlr, Adrenaline, and Work And Play recreational trailers because the awning can deploy while the trailer is moving. An awning that opens on the road increases crash risk, and Forest River dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The Smart Arm awning controller on 2018-2019 Forest River Rockwood, Adrenaline, Forester, Xlr, and Work And Play trailers manages the powered awning. In normal use, the controller takes the switch command, sends power through the wiring harness, and keeps the awning stowed when the trailer is moving.
On affected trailers, water can enter the Smart Arm awning control module wiring harness. That water intrusion can create a short circuit, which activates the awning without an owner command. If that happens on the road, the awning can deploy while the trailer is moving instead of staying locked against the side of the trailer.
The warning sign is physical movement from the awning. Owners can hear or see the awning becoming unsecured while the trailer is moving, including noise from the awning area or visible separation from the trailer body.
Who's affected?
Covers five recreational vehicle lines across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all tied to recreational vehicle/trailer equipment.
| 2018 Forest River Rockwood | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2019 Coachmen Adrenaline | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Forest River Forester | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2019 Forest River Forester | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Forest River Xlr | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2019 Forest River Xlr | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2019 Coachmen Work And Play | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| Units affected | 2,582 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific RV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the awning opens or loosens while the vehicle is moving, it increases the risk of a crash. Noise from the awning or visible movement means it is not secured, so pull over when safe and contact a Forest River dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Forest River Rockwood, Adrenaline, Forester, Xlr, or Work And Play trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free awning-controller replacement that keeps the awning from deploying while moving.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V527 when you call.
- Keep the awning fully stowed before towing, and stop in a safe place if it starts to deploy.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-6302 with questions about scheduling or dealer routing.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the awning controller on the affected trailer. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by Forest River. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for this recall. If you already paid for an awning controller repair tied to this issue, bring documentation to the service desk or contact Forest River customer service before the appointment so the claim can be handled through that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 13, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 13, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 22, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 22, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 22, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V527?
Recall 18V527 covers 2,582 2018-2019 Forest River Rockwood, Adrenaline, Forester, Xlr, and Work And Play recreational trailers with an awning that can deploy while moving. If that happens on the road, crash risk increases. Forest River dealers replace the awning controller for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Forest River Rockwood, Adrenaline, Forester, Xlr, or Work And Play is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V527. If it is, contact an authorized Forest River dealer to schedule the awning controller replacement. Reference recall number 18V527 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Forest River dealers will replace the awning controller free of charge, including parts and labor, for trailers included in recall 18V527.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an awning deploying while the trailer is moving. An open awning can affect control, visibility, or surrounding traffic space, which increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free awning controller replacement before towing the trailer again.
What if I bought this Forest River trailer used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your used Rockwood, Adrenaline, Forester, Xlr, or Work And Play trailer is included, then contact a Forest River dealer with recall number 18V527.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V527000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-825-6302 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V527 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V527000 |
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 →