Recall 24V265 covers 100 2024 Forest River Cardinal and Wildcat trailers for rear towing hitch warnings. Warning labels are free at franchised Forest River dealers.
Forest River is recalling 100 2024 Cardinal and Wildcat fifth wheel trailers under recall 24V265 because the trailer can be towed from the rear hitch without first locking the turning point fifth wheel hitch into the "Conventional Transport" position. In that setup, the upper front structure can break and the pin box can separate, raising crash risk; Forest River dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The Turning Point Fifth-Wheel Hitch on 2024 Forest River Cardinal and Wildcat trailers is the pin box assembly that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle. It lets the trailer pivot for normal fifth-wheel towing. These trailers also have a rear towing hitch, which is the receiver at the back of the trailer for an added towed load.
The issue is the way those two hitch systems are used together. When the rear towing hitch is used, the Turning Point Fifth-Wheel Hitch has to be locked into the "Conventional Transport" position. If it is left unlocked, the rear tow load is added while the front hitch is still set up to turn, so the trailer is not configured the way the hitch maker requires.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is a setup condition, not a cracked, loose, or visibly broken hitch part, so an owner will not have a separate symptom to watch for.
Who's affected?
Cardinal and Wildcat are both fifth-wheel trailer lines, and the shared part is the tapered pinbox assembly.
| 2024 Forest River Cardinal | Fifth wheel assembly |
|---|---|
| 2024 Forest River Wildcat | Fifth wheel assembly |
| Units affected | 100 |
| 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 trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the trailer is towed in the wrong position, the upper front structure can break and the pin box can separate from the vehicle, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure. Follow the towing instructions and schedule the label repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2024 Forest River Cardinal or Wildcat is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free warning-label installation for the fifth wheel hitch.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 24V265 when you call.
- Lock the turning point fifth wheel hitch into the "Conventional Transport" position before using the rear towing hitch.
- Avoid rear towing until the warning label is installed and you understand the hitch position requirement.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician installs warning labels on the rear towing hitch and the rear wall of the trailer. The labels tell the operator to lock the turning point fifth wheel hitch into the "Conventional Transport" position before using the rear towing hitch. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the dealer repair is free now. If you've already paid out of pocket for this label repair, Forest River's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 12, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 6, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 22, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| May 22, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 22, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V265?
Recall 24V265 covers 100 2024 Forest River Cardinal and Wildcat Fifth Wheels trailers where the rear towing hitch can be used without locking the turning point fifth wheel hitch into the Conventional Transport position. Forest River dealers will install warning labels for free.
What should I do if my 2024 Forest River Cardinal or Wildcat is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 24V265. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the warning-label installation on the hitch and rear wall. Reference recall number 24V265 and Forest River recall 15-1755 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall remedy at no cost. Forest River dealers will install the warning labels to the hitch and rear wall free of charge, and owner letters were mailed May 6, 2024.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is separation while towing. If the rear towing hitch is used while the turning point fifth wheel hitch is not locked in the Conventional Transport position, the upper front structure can break and the pin box can separate from the vehicle, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Forest River trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Cardinal or Wildcat is included, then call a franchised Forest River dealer and reference recall 24V265.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V265000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-296-7700 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V265 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V265000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →