Recall 21V141 affects 21 2021 Forest River Wildcat and Cardinal vehicles for a misaligned furnace flue. Free repair at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 21 2021 Wildcat and Cardinal RVs because the furnace flue can shift out of alignment when insufficient hold screws let the furnace move during travel. A misaligned flue can leak exhaust into the living space, which raises the risk of injury or death, and Forest River dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The furnace flue in the 2021 Forest River Wildcat and Cardinal is the vent path for the RV furnace. It lines up with the furnace so combustion exhaust leaves through the proper outlet instead of staying around the appliance. For that to work, the furnace and its base platform have to stay fixed to the floor during travel.
On affected units, the screws used to hold the furnace and base platform to the floor were not long enough. The furnace can move while the trailer is being towed, and that movement shifts the flue out of alignment. Forest River traced the problem to the furnace installation process and changed the repair hardware to two #8 3" washer head screws that secure the furnace and platform.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, smell, or feel a clear change before the furnace shifts, so the VIN and dealer inspection decide whether this specific trailer needs the recall repair.
Who's affected?
Covers both Wildcat and Cardinal trailers under the same equipment component.
| 2021 Forest River Wildcat | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2021 Forest River Cardinal | Equipment |
| Units affected | 21 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching 2021 Forest River Wildcat or Cardinal does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A misaligned furnace flue can let furnace exhaust leak into the living space, increasing the risk of injury or death. There is no warning sign listed before exposure, so stop using the furnace and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2021 Forest River Wildcat or Cardinal is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free furnace-securing and flue-alignment repair, which keeps furnace exhaust out of the living space.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V141 when you call.
- Avoid using the furnace for heat until the dealer secures the furnace and aligns the flue.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician secures the furnace so it cannot shift during travel, then aligns the furnace flue so exhaust routes correctly. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Forest River has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this same furnace or flue repair before the recall work. Bring repair invoices and payment records to the service desk, or contact Forest River customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 5, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 24, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 14, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 14, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 14, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V141?
Recall 21V141 covers 21 2021 Forest River Wildcat and Cardinal vehicles with furnace hold screws that allow movement during travel. That movement can misalign the furnace flue, letting exhaust leak into the living space. Forest River dealers secure the furnace and align the flue for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Forest River Wildcat or Cardinal is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific RV is included in recall 21V141. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the furnace securement and flue alignment. Reference recall number 21V141 or Forest River recall 15-1302 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Forest River dealers will secure the furnace and align the furnace flue free of charge under recall 21V141.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 21V141 is furnace exhaust leaking into the living space. If your VIN is included, keep the furnace off until a Forest River dealer secures the furnace and aligns the flue. The official consequence is increased risk of injury or death.
When did Forest River start this recall repair?
Forest River began the recall repair on March 24, 2021. The remedy is available, so an included 2021 Wildcat or Cardinal owner can contact a franchised Forest River dealer now to schedule the furnace securement and flue alignment.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V141000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-296-7700 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V141 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V141000 |
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 →