Recall 21V988 affects 111 2020-2022 Forest River Cardinal fifth wheel RVs for improper generator compartment sealing. Free repair at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 111 2020-2022 Cardinal fifth wheel recreational vehicles because an improperly sealed generator compartment can let carbon monoxide enter the living area. Carbon monoxide inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury or death, and Forest River dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The sealant around the generator compartment on 2020-2022 Forest River Cardinal fifth wheel RVs is supposed to close the gaps between the generator box and the living space. That seal matters because a generator runs in its own compartment and produces exhaust outside the coach, while the interior stays separated from that exhaust path.
On affected Cardinals, manufacturing did not apply sealant to the generator box. That leaves the compartment incomplete, so carbon monoxide from the generator area can enter the vehicle instead of staying outside the living space. The defect is not the generator itself; it is the missing barrier around the compartment.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not rely on seeing an open gap, hearing a different generator sound, or noticing a change inside the RV before carbon monoxide enters the living area.
Who's affected?
Covers Cardinal trailers across the 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years, all tied to the accessory generator sealant.
| 2020 Forest River Cardinal | Accessory generator |
|---|---|
| 2021 Forest River Cardinal | Accessory generator |
| 2022 Forest River Cardinal | Accessory generator |
| Units affected | 111 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
Carbon monoxide entering the Cardinal cabin increases the risk of injury or death. There is no warning sign listed for this recall, so treat the generator compartment sealant issue as a repair priority and limit generator use until the vehicle is inspected. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2022 Forest River Cardinal is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free generator-compartment sealant inspection and repair that keeps carbon monoxide from entering the RV.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V988 when you call.
- Avoid running the generator while anyone is inside the RV until the dealer completes the inspection and sealant repair if needed.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7700 with questions about Forest River recall 15-1444.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician inspects the generator compartment for proper sealant, then applies sealant where the compartment was not sealed correctly. The inspection and any needed sealant work are free under the recall. If you already paid for a repair within the scope of this defect, Forest River still wants the recall inspection or repair completed so the correct parts and procedures are confirmed. For a refund request, submit the service invoice to Cardinal Forest River, Attn: Warranty Manager.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 17, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 26, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| January 26, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 26, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V988?
Recall 21V988 covers 111 2020-2022 Forest River Cardinal fifth wheel recreational vehicles with generator compartments that are not sealed properly. Carbon monoxide can enter the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or death. Forest River dealers inspect the compartment and apply sealant if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2022 Forest River Cardinal is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 21V988. If it is, call a Forest River dealer to schedule the generator-compartment inspection and sealant repair. Reference recall 21V988 and Forest River recall number 15-1444 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River's remedy says dealers will inspect the generator compartment and apply sealant if needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V988?
The risk is carbon monoxide entering the vehicle from an improperly sealed generator compartment. Carbon monoxide inside the living area can increase the risk of injury or death, so schedule the free dealer inspection and sealant repair if your VIN is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V988000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-296-7700 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V988 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V988000 |
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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →