Recall 20V482 covers 643 2019-2021 Forest River Salem and Wildwood vehicles for an unsecured fresh water tank. Free repair at a franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 643 2019-2021 Salem and Wildwood motorhomes because the fresh water tank is not properly secured to the frame. If the tank detaches, it raises crash risk, and Forest River dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The fresh water tank on 2019-2021 Forest River Salem and Wildwood vehicles stores clean water for onboard plumbing. It is mounted to the vehicle's frame and held in place by tank bars and fasteners, so it stays supported while the vehicle moves, turns, and carries water weight.
On affected vehicles, the tank was not secured to the frame the way Forest River's manufacturing standard required. A new employee did not follow that standard, and the tank support was not enough. With too few or incorrectly installed fasteners, the tank can loosen from the frame instead of staying fixed in place.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first clear sign can be the fresh water tank hanging loose or already fallen from its mounted position, so any visible loose tank or dragging tank support needs dealer attention.
Who's affected?
Covers Salem and Wildwood trailers across the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years, all tied to the same equipment component.
| 2020 Forest River Salem | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2020 Forest River Wildwood | Equipment |
| 2019 Forest River Salem | Equipment |
| 2019 Forest River Wildwood | Equipment |
| 2021 Forest River Wildwood | Equipment |
| 2021 Forest River Salem | Equipment |
| Units affected | 643 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 7 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 fresh water tank detaches from the frame, it increases crash risk. There is no warning sign before the tank comes loose, so schedule the repair soon and avoid hauling with a full tank until it is secured. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Forest River Salem or Wildwood is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free repair that secures the fresh water tank to the frame.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V482 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician properly secures the fresh water holding tank to the vehicle's frame so it stays attached as designed. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall notice. If that applies to you, bring repair paperwork and payment documentation to the service desk or contact Forest River customer service about a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 14, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 23, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| September 23, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 23, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 23, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V482?
Recall 20V482 covers 643 2019-2021 Forest River Salem and Wildwood vehicles with a fresh water tank that is not properly secured to the frame. Forest River dealers will secure the holding tank for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Forest River Salem or Wildwood is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V482. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the tank securement repair. Reference recall number 20V482 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River dealers will properly secure the holding tank free of charge. Forest River lists 1-503-831-5410 for owner questions about this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the fresh water tank can detach from the frame and increase crash risk. Until the repair is complete, confirm whether your VIN is included and ask the dealer whether the vehicle needs inspection before towing or driving.
What if I bought my Forest River Salem or Wildwood used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2019-2021 Salem or Wildwood is included, then reference recall number 20V482 when you call a Forest River dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V482000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-503-831-5410 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V482 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V482000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 →