Recall 25V423 affects 12 2026 Forest River Spirit travel trailers with safety chains that can fail. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
Forest River is recalling 12 2026 Spirit travel trailers because the installed safety chains do not meet the actual GVWR listed on the Federal Placard. If the chains fail, the trailer can separate from the tow vehicle and raise the risk of a crash; Forest River dealers will replace the chains free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The safety chains on a 2026 Forest River Spirit travel trailer are the backup connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle. If the coupler comes off the hitch, the chains are supposed to keep the trailer attached long enough for the driver to stop. That backup only works when the chain rating matches the trailer's actual Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the maximum loaded weight shown on the Federal Placard.
On these trailers, Forest River installed 7,600 lbs. safety chains where the trailer rating calls for stronger chains. The replacement chains are rated at 11,700 lbs. If the trailer separates from the hitch, the lower-rated chains can break under the load, allowing the trailer to separate from the tow vehicle instead of staying connected.
There is no warning sign before failure. The chains can look normal during a walkaround, so the key difference is the rating on the installed chains compared with the GVWR shown on the placard.
Who's affected?
| 2026 Forest River Spirit | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2026 Forest River Spirit trailer is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the safety chains fail, the trailer can separate from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before separation. If your VIN is included, have the repair completed before the trailer is put in service. Repair is free at any franchised Forest River dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Forest River Spirit is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Forest River dealer to schedule the free safety-chain replacement, which matches the chains to the trailer's GVWR and helps keep the trailer connected to the tow vehicle.
- Reference recall number 25V423 and Forest River recall 220-1941 when you call.
- Confirm the repair is complete before towing the trailer off the lot or using it for a trip.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Forest River technician replaces the safety chains on the affected Spirit trailer. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Because the affected trailers are still in dealer inventory, Forest River says owner notification letters will not be mailed. If you already paid for a safety-chain repair tied to this recall, contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8519 and keep your documentation for the manufacturer's general reimbursement plan. Forest River's number for this recall is 220-1941.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 20, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 30, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| July 30, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 30, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V423?
Recall 25V423 covers 12 2026 Forest River Spirit travel trailers with safety chains that do not match the trailer's listed Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. If the chains fail, the trailer can separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk. Forest River dealers will replace the safety chains for free.
What should I do if my 2026 Forest River Spirit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included in recall 25V423. If it is, contact a franchised Forest River dealer and ask for the safety-chain replacement before towing the trailer. Reference Forest River recall number 220-1941 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 safety chains free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Forest River dealer.
Is it safe to tow my 2026 Forest River Spirit before the repair?
Do not tow the trailer until a Forest River dealer confirms the safety-chain replacement is complete. The recall involves safety chains that can fail and allow the trailer to separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk.
Will Forest River mail an owner letter for this recall?
No owner notification letters will be mailed for recall 25V423. Forest River says all affected trailers are still in dealer inventory, so the dealer should complete the safety-chain replacement before delivery. Owners can also call Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8519.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V423000 |
|---|---|
| Forest River customer service | 1-574-825-8519 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V423 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V423000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →