Recall 19V583 covers 39 2020 Forest River Columbus fifth-wheel trailers whose rear ladder blocks the egress window. Free repair at a franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 39 2020 Columbus fifth-wheel trailers under recall 19V583 because the rear ladder blocks the rear-wall egress window, keeping it from opening. In an emergency, occupants can be trapped inside, and a Forest River dealer will relocate the ladder free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The egress window on the rear wall of the 2020 Columbus fifth wheel is a secondary escape route. In an emergency such as a fire blocking the main door, occupants are supposed to open this window and climb out. Building codes and safety standards require travel trailers to have a backup exit, and on this floorplan, the rear-wall window is it.
On affected trailers, the rear ladder, which is mounted on the outside of the back wall for roof access, sits directly over the egress window opening. The ladder physically blocks the window from being pushed open from inside. Forest River traced the problem to a clerical error during purchasing: the wrong window orientation was ordered, so the hinged escape side of the window ended up behind the ladder instead of clear of it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The window appears normal during everyday use, and the obstruction only matters in an emergency, when the ladder prevents the window from opening as an exit.
Who's affected?
| 2020 Forest River Columbus | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 39 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2020 Forest River Columbus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific RV is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Without a required egress window, occupants can be trapped inside the trailer during a fire or other emergency, which increases the risk of injury. Treat this as a serious safety gap and schedule the repair soon, especially before any trip where the trailer will be occupied overnight. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Forest River Columbus fifth-wheel trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free egress-window installation that restores a usable emergency exit on the rear wall.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-821-1487 with questions, and reference recall number 19V583 (Forest River recall 410-1071) when you call.
- Bring the recall notice to your appointment if Forest River has mailed one; if not, reference recall number 19V583 at the service desk.
- Identify a backup exit route for every sleeping area until the new egress window is installed, and brief anyone using the trailer on that route.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician installs an egress window on the rear wall so the window can be used as intended. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket for a related repair, Forest River's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts and any related paperwork to the service desk when you arrive, or contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-821-1487 to confirm what to submit.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 9, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 9, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 18, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| September 18, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 18, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V583?
Recall 19V583 covers 39 2020 Forest River Columbus fifth-wheel trailers where the rear ladder blocks the egress window on the rear wall, preventing the window from being used in an emergency. Forest River dealers will install a working egress window at no cost.
What should I do if my 2020 Forest River Columbus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 19V583. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer to schedule the egress window installation. Reference recall number 19V583 when you call. You can also reach Forest River customer service at 1-574-821-1487.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to fix safety defects at no cost to the owner. Forest River dealers will install the egress window free of charge, including parts and labor. The remedy is available now, so you do not need to wait for a follow-up notice to schedule the work.
What is the safety risk of the blocked egress window?
The rear ladder sits in front of the rear-wall egress window, so the window cannot be opened or used as an exit. In a fire or other emergency inside the trailer, occupants who need to exit through that window can be trapped, increasing the risk of injury.
What if I bought my 2020 Columbus fifth wheel used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Forest River never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included, and reference recall number 19V583 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V583000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-821-1487 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V583 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V583000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →