Recall 21V059 affects 53 2021 Forest River Wildcat travel trailers with underrated safety chains. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 53 2021 Wildcat travel trailers because the safety chains do not meet the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and can break. If the chains fail, the trailer can detach from the tow vehicle and raise crash risk; Forest River dealers will replace the safety chains 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 safety chains on a 2021 Forest River Wildcat travel trailer are the backup connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle. If the trailer coupler separates from the hitch ball, the chains are supposed to keep the trailer attached long enough for the driver to stop safely. They must be rated for the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating, which is the maximum loaded weight the trailer is designed to carry.
On affected Wildcat trailers, the wrong safety chains were assigned during a vehicle redesign. The original chains were rated at 7,600 lb, while the replacement chains are rated at 11,700 lb. Because the original chains do not match the trailer's required weight rating, they can break if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. The chains can look normal while still being under-rated for the trailer's loaded weight.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Forest River Wildcat | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 53 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Forest River Wildcat trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Safety chain breakage can let the trailer detach from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the chain breaks, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the chain replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Forest River Wildcat is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free safety-chain replacement.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V059 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the dealer installs correctly rated safety chains that match the trailer's GVWR.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the safety chains with chains rated correctly for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. This is the dealer fix for safety chains that did not match the trailer weight rating. Use Forest River recall number 22-1189 when you call the service desk or schedule the appointment.
Timeline
| February 8, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 22, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 19, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| March 19, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 19, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V059?
Recall 21V059 covers 53 2021 Forest River Wildcat travel trailers, including WCT247RXX-OR and WCT276FKX-OR models, with safety chains that do not meet the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. If the chains break, the trailer can detach from the tow vehicle. Forest River dealers replace the chains for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Forest River Wildcat is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 21V059. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule replacement of the safety chains with correctly rated chains. Reference recall number 21V059 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 replace the safety chains with correctly rated safety chains free of charge. Forest River's customer service number for this recall is 1-503-831-5410.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer separation while towing. The safety chains are supposed to help keep the trailer connected to the tow vehicle after a hitch failure. In this recall, the chains are not rated for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, so chain breakage can increase crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V059000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-503-831-5410 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V059 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V059000 |
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →