Recall 20V330 affects 73 2021 Forest River Avenger travel trailers for incorrectly attached safety chains. Free repair at a Forest River dealer or service center.
Forest River is recalling 73 2021 Avenger travel trailers because the safety chains were incorrectly attached to the trailer. If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, the chains can break and allow complete detachment, increasing the risk of property damage, injury, or a crash; Forest River dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The safety chains on a 2021 Forest River Avenger travel trailer are backup chains that connect the trailer frame to the tow vehicle. Their job is to help keep the trailer attached if the primary hitch connection separates. The chain, bolt, washer, and link all need to be assembled correctly so the connection holds under load.
On affected Avenger trailers, the safety chain hardware was installed without the washer between the hex bolt and the chain link. That missing washer leaves the chain attachment assembled wrong at the frame. If the trailer separates from the hitch, the safety chains do not have the correct attachment hardware to help prevent a total trailer separation.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not expected to see, hear, or feel a symptom before the chain hardware is needed during a hitch separation.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Forest River Avenger | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 73 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Forest River Avenger trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, missing safety chain hardware can leave the chains unable to hold the trailer. Complete detachment can lead to property damage, personal injury, or a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Confirm your VIN and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Forest River Avenger is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer or service center to schedule the free safety-chain attaching-hardware installation.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V330 (Forest River recall 51-1163) when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the repair is complete if the safety-chain hardware is missing or loose.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer or service center, a Forest River technician installs the missing safety chain attaching hardware so the trailer chains are properly secured to the trailer. The replacement hardware and labor are free under the recall. If you paid out of pocket for this same repair before the recall work, keep your repair documents and ask Forest River customer service or the service desk to process the claim under the reimbursement plan on file.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 8, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 16, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 15, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 15, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 15, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 15, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V330?
Recall 20V330 covers 73 2021 Forest River Avenger travel trailers with safety chains that were incorrectly attached to the trailer. If the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle, the chains can break, leading to complete separation, property damage, personal injury, or a crash.
What should I do if my 2021 Forest River Avenger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V330. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer or service center to schedule installation of the missing safety chain attaching hardware. Reference recall number 51-1163 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Forest River will install the missing safety chain attaching hardware free of charge through a dealer or service center.
Is it safe to tow my Forest River Avenger before the repair?
Confirm your VIN before towing or planning a trip. If your trailer is included, schedule the free hardware installation because the defect involves the safety chains that help keep the trailer connected after a hitch separation.
What if I bought my Forest River Avenger used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm inclusion, then contact a Forest River dealer or service center and give them recall number 51-1163.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V330000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-862-1025 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V330 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V330000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation 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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →