Recall 20V049 affects 218 2020 Forest River recreational trailers for an emergency break-away switch defect. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 218 2020 Vibe, Stealth Evo, Freedom Express, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers because the emergency break-away switch can fail. If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, the switch will not apply the trailer brakes, and that raises the risk of a crash; Forest River dealers will complete the repair 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 emergency breakaway switch on the 2020 Forest River Vibe, Stealth Evo, Freedom Express, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, and Salem trailers is part of the electric brake system. If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, the switch is supposed to pull a pin and send power to the trailer brakes so the trailer slows instead of rolling freely.
On affected trailers, Forest River found during plant testing that the switches were failing inconsistently. That means the switch did not respond the same way each time it was tested. The filing does not identify a deeper root cause, but it does identify the recalled switch part as the part being replaced with a new breakaway switch.
There is no warning sign before failure. The switch sits unused during normal towing, so an owner is not likely to feel a change at the pedal or see a towing symptom before the breakaway function is needed.
Who's affected?
Covers six Forest River trailer lines from the 2020 model year, all tied to the brake system.
| 2020 Forest River Vibe | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2020 Forest River Stealth Evo | brake system |
| 2020 Forest River Freedom Express | brake system |
| 2020 Forest River Wildcat Maxx | brake system |
| 2020 Forest River Wildwood | brake system |
| 2020 Forest River Salem | brake system |
| Units affected | 218 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer brakes. That leaves the trailer without the braking action meant to slow it after separation and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Forest River Vibe, Stealth Evo, Freedom Express, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, or Salem trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free break-away switch replacement that restores trailer-brake activation after separation from the tow vehicle.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 20V049 when you call.
- Tow cautiously until the repair is complete, keep extra following distance, and confirm the trailer is properly connected before each trip.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the emergency break-away switch on the affected trailer. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you've already paid out of pocket for a break-away switch repair tied to this recall, Forest River's general reimbursement plan is the path for documented expenses. Bring your repair order and payment receipt to the service desk and ask how to submit them under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 29, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 19, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 13, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| March 13, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 13, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V049?
Recall 20V049 covers 218 2020 Forest River Vibe, Stealth Evo, Freedom Express, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers with an emergency break-away switch that can fail. Forest River dealers will replace the break-away switch for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Forest River Vibe, Stealth Evo, Freedom Express, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, or Salem is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V049. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the break-away switch replacement. Reference recall 20V049 and Forest River recall 51-1129 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Forest River dealers will replace the emergency break-away switch free of charge. The recall repair became available when the recall began on February 19, 2020.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of trailer braking after separation from the tow vehicle. If the emergency break-away switch fails during a separation event, it will not apply the trailer's brakes, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your trailer is included.
What if I bought the Forest River trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the VIN, not the first owner, so a used 2020 Forest River trailer is still eligible if its VIN is included. Check your VIN and contact a Forest River dealer with recall 20V049.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V049000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-503-831-5410 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V049 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V049000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →