Recall 18V678 affects 1,785 2019 Forest River Flagstaff and Rockwood recreational trailers for misoriented brake flanges. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 1,785 2019 Flagstaff and Rockwood recreational trailers because incorrectly oriented brake mounting flanges on the torsion axles can cause premature brake failure. Premature brake failure increases the risk of a crash, and Forest River dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The torsion axle on 2019 Forest River Flagstaff and Rockwood trailers carries the trailer's weight and lets each wheel move against rubber suspension inside the axle tube. The brake mounting flange is the welded plate on that axle where the electric brake assembly bolts on. When the flange is in the correct position, the brake magnet sits near the bottom of the drum after the trailer is loaded, so the brake can apply evenly.
On affected trailers, Dexter's axle assembly process put some brake flanges in the wrong orientation before they were welded to the axle. That changes the angle of the brake assembly on the torsion axle. With the brake hardware sitting out of position, the electric brake can wear or apply incorrectly, leading to premature brake failure.
There is often no warning sign before the brakes fail. If braking feels weaker than normal, that is the sign to have a Forest River dealer check the axle and brake setup before further towing.
Who's affected?
The Flagstaff and Rockwood trailer lines share the rear suspension concern in this recall.
| 2019 Forest River Flagstaff | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2019 Forest River Rockwood | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 1,785 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
Premature brake failure can increase the risk of a crash. There is often no warning before the brakes fail, so if your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon and be alert for any change in braking. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Forest River Flagstaff or Rockwood is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free axle or hub replacement that corrects the misoriented brake mounting flanges.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V678 when you call.
- Tow cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra stopping distance because premature brake failure increases crash risk.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-2640 if you need help finding a dealer.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the trailer axles or hubs covered by recall 18V678 so the brake mounting hardware is set up correctly. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this axle or hub repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices, proof of payment, and any related brake or axle paperwork to the service desk, or contact Forest River customer service to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 27, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 12, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 3, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| November 3, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 3, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V678?
Recall 18V678 covers 1,785 2019 Forest River Flagstaff and Rockwood recreational trailers with brake mounting flanges on the torsion axles that were oriented incorrectly. That defect can cause premature brake failure and increase crash risk. Forest River dealers replace the axles or hubs for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Forest River Flagstaff or Rockwood is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V678. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule axle or hub replacement. Reference recall number 18V678 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost. Forest River's remedy says dealers will replace the affected axles or hubs free of charge for trailers included in recall 18V678.
Is it safe to tow my 2019 Forest River Flagstaff or Rockwood before the recall repair?
Brake failure is the safety risk, so confirm the VIN before towing the trailer. Recall 18V678 says incorrectly oriented brake mounting flanges can cause premature brake failure and increase crash risk. If your trailer is included, ask the dealer what to do before moving it.
What if I bought my Forest River trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2019 Flagstaff or Rockwood is included, then reference recall number 18V678 when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V678000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-2640 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V678 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V678000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- 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 →