Recall 23V289 covers 137 2022 Forest River Columbus fifth wheels for missing riser tubes and tire clearance. Repair is free at franchised Forest River dealers.
Forest River is recalling 137 2022 Columbus fifth wheel vehicles because the riser tube was not installed between the axle hangers, leaving too little clearance for the tires. The tire can contact the slide-out adjustment arm, damaging or puncturing the tire and increasing crash risk; Forest River dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The riser kit on the 2022 Forest River Columbus is a spacer assembly in the chassis area near the axle hangers. Its job is to add height between the axle hanger area and the I-beam so the tires have enough room as the fifth wheel moves over the road. That clearance keeps the tire away from nearby hardware, including the slideout adjustment bolt.
On affected Columbus fifth wheels, the 2-inch tube that belongs between the axle hangers and the I-beam was mistakenly left off during chassis production. Without that tube, the suspension sits with less clearance than designed. The tire can contact the slideout adjustment bolt, which means the tire is rubbing against fixed metal hardware instead of moving freely in its wheel area.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to get a dashboard alert or obvious early symptom before the clearance problem allows tire contact.
Who's affected?
The riser kit appears under structure and tires, so the component label alone does not confirm whether a Columbus trailer is included.
| 2022 Forest River Columbus | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2022 Forest River Columbus | tire |
| Units affected | 137 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Contact between the slide-out adjustment arm and the tire can damage or puncture the tire, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign listed before this failure, so treat tire damage, rubbing, or unusual contact as a reason to stop and arrange service. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022 Forest River Columbus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free riser-kit installation that restores tire clearance around the slide-out adjustment arm.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V289 when you call.
- Inspect the tire area before towing; if the tire shows contact with the slide-out adjustment arm, stop using the trailer and ask the dealer for guidance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician installs the riser kit between the axle hangers so the tires have the needed clearance. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you have 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 Forest River's warranty manager through the reimbursement path listed for recall 23V289.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 24, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 3, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| June 3, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 3, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V289?
Recall 23V289 covers 137 2022 Forest River Columbus CMF299RL fifth wheels with a missing riser tube between the axle hangers. Without enough tire clearance, the tire can contact the slide-out adjustment arm, which can damage or puncture the tire and increase crash risk. Forest River dealers will install a riser kit for free.
What should I do if my 2022 Forest River Columbus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fifth wheel is included in recall 23V289. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer to schedule the free riser kit installation. Reference Forest River recall number 410-1631 when you call, or contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-821-1487.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Forest River dealers will install the riser kit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 23V289.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is tire damage while the fifth wheel is in use. If the tire contacts the slide-out adjustment arm, the arm can damage or puncture the tire, increasing crash risk. The repair adds the needed riser kit so the tires have proper clearance.
When were owners notified about recall 23V289?
Forest River mailed owner notification letters on May 18, 2023. If you bought the fifth wheel used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2022 Forest River Columbus is included before scheduling service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V289000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-821-1487 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V289 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V289000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →