Recall 18V624 affects 935 2019 Forest River travel trailers for missing hub bearing races. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 935 2019 travel trailers, including Xlr, Vibe, Sierra, Shasta, Catalina, Prime Time, Sandpiper, Salem, Apex, and Wildwood models, because the axle hubs can be missing inner bearing races. The defect can burn out a bearing or overheat the hub, and hub separation from the axle raises crash risk; Forest River dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The axle hub on the 2019 Forest River travel trailers holds the wheel bearings and lets each wheel spin around the axle under load. Inside that hub, the inner bearing race, also called a bearing cup, gives the bearing a smooth metal surface to ride on. Without it, the bearing is not fully supported.
On affected Xlr, Vibe, Sierra, Shasta, Catalina, Prime Time, Sandpiper, Salem, Apex, and Wildwood trailers, that inner bearing cup was left out during hub assembly. Dexter Axle traced the problem to an incorrect installation tool that let a hub move through production without the cup in place. As the trailer moves, the unsupported bearing builds heat, burns grease, and can damage the hub or bearing.
What you notice starts at the wheel area. The hub can run hot, smoke from burning grease, or let the wheel feel wobbly as the bearing begins to fail.
Who's affected?
Covers 10 2019 trailer model lines, all tied to the same rear suspension component.
| 2019 Forest River Xlr | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2019 Forest River Vibe | rear suspension |
| 2019 Forest River Sierra | rear suspension |
| 2019 Forest River Shasta | rear suspension |
| 2019 Coachmen Catalina | rear suspension |
| 2019 Forest River Prime Time | rear suspension |
| 2019 Forest River Sandpiper | rear suspension |
| 2019 Forest River Salem | rear suspension |
| 2019 Coachmen Apex | rear suspension |
| 2019 Forest River Wildwood | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 935 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
A matching model year and model line does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A missing bearing race can make the hub bearing fail early. The hub can heat up, smoke from burning grease, or let the wheel feel wobbly before failure. Hub separation from the axle increases the risk of a crash, so stop using the trailer after those signs and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Forest River Xlr, Vibe, Sierra, Shasta, Catalina, Prime Time, Sandpiper, Salem, Apex, or Wildwood travel trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free repair.
- Schedule the hub or axle replacement that fixes the missing inner bearing races and reduces hub overheating or hub separation risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V624 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the repair is complete if you notice hub overheating, bearing noise, or wheel-end problems.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the defective wheel hubs with new hubs, or replaces the axles when that is the needed repair. Parts and labor are covered under recall 18V624. If you already paid for a related hub, bearing, or axle repair before the recall work, Forest River's general reimbursement plan is on file for documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the service desk or contact the Forest River customer service line for your trailer brand.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 4, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| September 4, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 13, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
| October 9, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 14, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V624?
Recall 18V624 covers 935 2019 Forest River travel trailers with axle hubs that are missing inner bearing races. The defect can cause hub bearing failure, hub overheating, or hub separation from the axle, increasing crash risk. Forest River dealers will replace the defective hubs or axles for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Forest River Xlr, Vibe, Sierra, Shasta, Catalina, Prime Time, Sandpiper, Salem, Apex, or Wildwood is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific travel trailer is included in recall 18V624. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule hub or axle replacement. Reference recall number 51-0851 or NHTSA campaign 18V624 when you call.
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 defective hubs with new hubs or replace the axles free of charge under recall 18V624.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is hub bearing failure or hub separation from the axle. If the hub separates while the trailer is moving, the driver faces a higher crash risk. Stop towing if you notice wheel-end heat, abnormal noise, or handling changes, and ask the dealer how to move the trailer safely.
When did Forest River start this recall?
Forest River began recall 18V624 on October 9, 2018. Owner notices were sent for the affected 2019 travel trailers, but used-trailer owners and second owners do not always receive old recall mail. Check your VIN to confirm whether the free repair remains open for your trailer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V624000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-825-8657 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V624 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V624000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation 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 →