Recall 24V003 affects 302 2020 Forest River Cherokee travel trailers for a draw bar lock defect. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 302 2020 Cherokee travel trailers because the draw bar locking mechanism can break and let the front end of the trailer contact the road during transit. That contact increases the risk of a crash or injury, and Forest River dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The draw bar locking mechanism on the 2020 Forest River Cherokee travel trailer holds the front draw bar in its proper towing position. The draw bar is part of the trailer's front structure, where towing loads move between the trailer frame and the hitch connection. When that lock stays engaged, the front of the trailer remains supported and aligned while the trailer is being pulled.
On affected Cherokee trailers, the locking mechanism can break. Forest River identified the scope by reviewing warranty claims tied to draw bars, with increased claims from August 2019 through October 2019. If the lock breaks while the trailer is moving, the front end of the trailer can drop far enough to contact the road.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on noise, looseness, or visible movement as an early cue that the locking mechanism is about to break.
Who's affected?
The listed equipment and frame items point to the same draw bar lock mechanism.
| 2020 Forest River Cherokee | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2020 Forest River Cherokee | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 302 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 23 field incidents 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?
If the trailer contacts the road during transit, it increases the risk of a crash or injury. There is no warning sign before this happens, so schedule the repair soon and use caution if the trailer must move before service. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Forest River Cherokee is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free Ice Hose swing arm draw bar replacement that fixes the trailer draw bar locking mechanism.
- Bring the recall notice if Forest River mailed one. If not, reference recall number 24V003 when you call.
- Tow cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop if the trailer front end drops or contacts the road.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the Ice Hose swing arm draw bars covered by the recall. Parts and labor are covered, so the recall repair is free now. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related draw bar repair, Forest River's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Ask the service desk how to submit repair paperwork and proof of payment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 5, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 14, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| February 14, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 14, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 14, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V003?
Recall 24V003 covers 302 2020 Forest River Cherokee travel trailers with a draw bar locking mechanism that can break. If it breaks during transit, the front end of the trailer can contact the road. Forest River dealers will replace the Ice Hose swing arm draw bars for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Forest River Cherokee is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 24V003. If it is, contact a Forest River dealer to schedule the draw bar replacement. Owner letters were mailed February 5, 2024. Reference Forest River recall number 95-1705 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 says dealers will replace the Ice Hose swing arm draw bars free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included trailers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is road contact during transit. If the draw bar locking mechanism breaks, the front end of the trailer can drop and contact the road, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Forest River Cherokee used?
The recall still follows the trailer. A used owner gets the same free repair if the VIN is included in recall 24V003. Check your VIN, then call a Forest River dealer or Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995 with the recall number.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V003000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-825-4995 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V003 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V003000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →