Recall 23V014 affects 17 2021 Forest River Berkshire coaches because the retractable awning can extend during transit. Free repair at a franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 17 2021 Berkshire coaches because the retractable awning can extend on its own during transit. An awning that opens on the road can distract the driver or create a road hazard, raising crash risk, and Forest River dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The Carefree of Colorado Freestyle Awning on the 2021 Forest River Berkshire is the retractable shade mounted to the outside of the coach. It is designed to stay locked against the body during travel and extend only when the coach is parked and the owner deploys it.
On affected Berkshire coaches, the awning can extend unintentionally during transit. That means the awning leaves its stored position while the coach is moving, creating an exposed side-mounted piece of equipment where the driver expects a closed body side. The recall record does not identify the exact electrical or mechanical cause, so the practical concern is the unexpected movement itself.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a sound, light, or visible change before the awning starts to extend.
Who's affected?
The listed equipment is the Carefree of Colorado Freestyle Awning, part number 015933-002.
| 2021 Forest River Berkshire | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 17 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
An awning that extends during transit can distract the driver or become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before it happens. If the awning moves or extends, pull over when safe and arrange service before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Forest River Berkshire is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free gearbox-housing support repair that keeps the retractable awning from extending in transit.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V014 when you call.
- Keep the awning fully retracted before driving, and stop in a safe place if it starts to extend in transit.
- Call Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician installs additional support for the internal components inside the awning gearbox housing. The work is meant to keep the retractable awning from extending during transit. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered. Ask the service desk to confirm that the support installation is complete before the coach is returned to you.
Timeline
| January 20, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 27, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 1, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| March 1, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 1, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 1, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V014?
Recall 23V014 covers 17 2021 Forest River Berkshire Coach Ultra UL1952 coaches with a retractable awning that can extend unintentionally during transit. An open awning can distract drivers or create a road hazard, increasing crash risk. Forest River dealers will install additional gearbox-housing support for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Forest River Berkshire is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 23V014. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free awning gearbox-housing support repair. Reference recall number 23V014 or Forest River recall number 42-1594 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 install additional support for the internal components of the awning gearbox housing free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my 2021 Forest River Berkshire before the repair?
Forest River did not issue a do-not-drive instruction for recall 23V014. The risk is that the retractable awning can extend unintentionally during transit and create a distraction or road hazard. Confirm your VIN, keep the awning secured, and schedule the free dealer repair.
When were owners notified about recall 23V014?
Forest River mailed owner notification letters on February 27, 2023. If you bought the coach used or never received the letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2021 Forest River Berkshire is included, then call a Forest River dealer for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V014000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-800-348-7440 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V014 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V014000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →