Recall 20V075 covers 4,464 2019-2020 Forest River trailers for failing spare tire carrier U-bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 4,464 2019-2020 Independence, R-Pod, Viking, Puma, Cherokee, Clipper, No Boundaries, East To West, and Surveyor trailers because the spare tire carrier U-bolts can fail and let the carrier and tire detach. A detached tire becomes a road hazard and increases crash risk; Forest River dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The spare tire carrier on 2019-2020 Forest River trailers holds the spare tire at the rear bumper. Its U-bolts wrap around the bumper and clamp the carrier in place, so the tire stays secured while the trailer moves over bumps and road vibration.
On affected Independence, R-Pod, Viking, Puma, Cherokee, Clipper, No Boundaries, East To West, and Surveyor trailers, the U-bolts were formed with a flat spot on the inside bend. That tool mark creates a weak point in the metal. As the bolt is tightened and then loaded during towing, the metal can break at that bend, allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire to detach from the trailer.
What you can notice is visible damage at the carrier. Check the U-bolt where it holds the spare tire carrier to the bumper; if it is cracked, broken, or no longer clamping tightly, that is the warning sign before the carrier separates.
Who's affected?
Spans 9 trailer lines across the 2019 and 2020 model years, with both recreational vehicle/trailer equipment and temporary spare tire components listed.
| 2020 Forest River Independence | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2020 Forest River Independence | tire |
| 2020 Forest River R-Pod | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Forest River R-Pod | tire |
| 2020 Coachmen Viking | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Coachmen Viking | tire |
| 2020 Forest River Puma | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Forest River Puma | tire |
| 2020 Forest River Cherokee | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Forest River Cherokee | tire |
| 2019 Coachmen Viking | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2019 Coachmen Viking | tire |
| 2019 Coachmen Clipper | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2019 Coachmen Clipper | tire |
| 2020 Forest River No Boundaries | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Forest River No Boundaries | tire |
| 2020 Forest River East To West | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Forest River East To West | tire |
| 2020 Coachmen Clipper | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Coachmen Clipper | tire |
| 2020 Forest River Surveyor | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2020 Forest River Surveyor | tire |
| Units affected | 4,464 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 16 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 spare tire carrier or spare tire detaches while the vehicle is moving, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash. A broken U-bolt at the bumper is a warning sign. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Forest River Independence, R-Pod, Viking, Puma, Cherokee, Clipper, No Boundaries, East To West, or Surveyor trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free spare-tire-carrier U-bolt replacement that keeps the carrier and spare tire attached.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V075 when you call.
- Tow cautiously until the repair is complete; a detached spare tire carrier and spare tire can become a road hazard.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3119 with questions about the recall or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the spare tire carrier U-bolts on the affected 2019-2020 trailers. The repair addresses U-bolts that can fail and let the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the trailer. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free under the campaign. The service desk can confirm that the trailer is included before the work is performed.
Timeline
| February 12, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 13, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| March 13, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 13, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 13, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 20, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V075?
Recall 20V075 covers 4,464 2019-2020 Forest River trailers with spare tire carrier U-bolts that can fail. If the carrier and spare tire detach while the trailer is moving, they can become a road hazard and increase crash risk. Forest River dealers replace the U-bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Forest River trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V075. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer or the listed Forest River customer service line for your model and schedule the free U-bolt replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River's remedy says dealers will replace the U-bolts free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Forest River dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the spare tire carrier and spare tire can detach while the trailer is in motion. Once loose, the carrier or tire can become a road hazard for nearby traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
When did Forest River start the recall repair?
Forest River began the recall repair on March 20, 2020. Because that date has passed, owners with an included VIN can contact a franchised Forest River dealer now to arrange the free U-bolt replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V075000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-642-3119 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V075 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V075000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →