Recall 20V589 affects 551 2021 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers for inverted cooktop flames. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 551 2021 Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers because the cooktop is not isolated from the furnace return air. The cooktop flame can invert and raise the risk of fire, and Forest River dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The cooktop in 2021 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers burns LP gas at the burner head, where the flame should stay upright and controlled. The furnace has a return-air path that pulls cabin air back toward the furnace. A sealed panel is supposed to keep that furnace airflow separate from the cooktop area.
On affected trailers, the plant installed the cooktop without that seal between the cooktop and the furnace return air. When the furnace is running, return air can disturb the burner flame instead of leaving it isolated at the cooktop. That airflow can pull the flame into an inverted pattern, which means the flame no longer behaves the way the cooktop was designed to burn.
What an owner can notice is visible at the cooktop. An operator can see the flame invert while the cooktop is in use, especially when the furnace is being tested or running.
Who's affected?
The Wildwood and Salem scopes both include the furnace and the oven/stove/cooktop, so owners should read the component listing along with the model name.
| 2021 Forest River Wildwood | Furnace |
|---|---|
| 2021 Forest River Salem | Oven/stove/cooktop |
| 2021 Forest River Salem | Furnace |
| 2021 Forest River Wildwood | Oven/stove/cooktop |
| Units affected | 551 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching 2021 Forest River Wildwood or Salem trailer does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inverted flame on the cooktop can increase the risk of a fire. If you see an inverted flame, stop using the cooktop and contact a Forest River dealer for the recall repair. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Forest River Wildwood or Salem is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free sealant repair that isolates the cooktop from furnace return air.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one, or reference recall number 20V589 when you call.
- Avoid using the cooktop and furnace together until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician adds sealant to the paneling gaps that let furnace return air interfere with the cooktop flame. The repair is covered under the recall, so parts and labor are free. If you've already paid out of pocket for the same sealant repair before the recall notice, Forest River's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit it under this campaign.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 25, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 6, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 6, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 6, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V589?
Recall 20V589 covers 551 2021 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers with a cooktop flame that can become inverted because the cooktop is not isolated from the furnace return air. An inverted flame can increase fire risk, and Forest River dealers will seal the paneling gaps for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Forest River Wildwood or Salem is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V589. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer to schedule the panel-sealing repair. Reference recall number 20V589 and Forest River recall number 72-1232 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Forest River's remedy says dealers will add sealant to the affected paneling gaps free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included 2021 Wildwood and Salem trailers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. In recall 20V589, furnace return air can affect the cooktop and invert the flame. An inverted flame can increase the risk of a fire, so use the VIN check and dealer appointment path before relying on the cooktop.
What if I bought this Forest River trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you did not receive Forest River's owner notice, check your VIN and give the dealer recall number 20V589 or Forest River recall number 72-1232.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V589000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-534-3167 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V589 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V589000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 →