The defect
Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.
The risk
If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Cargo Mate Eliminator | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Brookstone | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Catalina | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Chaparral | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Concord | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Encounter | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Freedom Express | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Freelander | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Leprechaun | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Mirada | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Pursuit | 2013, 2014 |
| Coachmen Sportcoach | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Avenger | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Blue Ridge | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Cardinal | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Cherokee | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River EVO | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Flagstaff | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Forester | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Georgetown | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Lexington | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Puma | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Rockwood | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Sabre | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Salem | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Sandpiper | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Sandstorm | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Sierra | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Stealth | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Sunseeker | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Wildcat | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Wildwood | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River Work And Play | 2013, 2014 |
| Forest River XLR | 2013, 2014 |
| Palomino Columbus | 2013, 2014 |
| Palomino Maverick Truck Camper | 2013, 2014 |
| Prime Time Crusader | 2013, 2014 |
| Prime Time Lacrosse | 2013, 2014 |
| Prime Time Sanibel | 2014 |
| Prime Time Saniber | 2013 |
| Prime Time Tracer | 2013, 2014 |
| Shasta Phoenix | 2013, 2014 |
| Shasta Revere | 2013, 2014 |
Components: EQUIPMENT
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Mate Eliminator | 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Cargo Mate Eliminator | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| Coachmen Brookstone | 2013 | 0 | 2 |
| Coachmen Brookstone | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
| Coachmen Catalina | 2013 | 1 | 2 |
| Coachmen Catalina | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
| Coachmen Chaparral | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Coachmen Chaparral | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| Coachmen Concord | 2013 | 0 | 2 |
| Coachmen Concord | 2014 | 0 | 3 |
| Coachmen Encounter | 2013 | 0 | 3 |
| Coachmen Encounter | 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| Coachmen Freedom Express | 2013 | 6 | 3 |
| Coachmen Freedom Express | 2014 | 4 | 3 |
| Coachmen Freelander | 2013 | 0 | 2 |
| Coachmen Freelander | 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| Coachmen Leprechaun | 2013 | 0 | 2 |
| Coachmen Leprechaun | 2014 | 0 | 3 |
| Coachmen Mirada | 2013 | 2 | 4 |
| Coachmen Mirada | 2014 | 1 | 4 |
| Coachmen Pursuit | 2013 | 0 | 4 |
| Coachmen Pursuit | 2014 | 3 | 4 |
| Coachmen Sportcoach | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Coachmen Sportcoach | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| Forest River Avenger | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Forest River Avenger | 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| Forest River Blue Ridge | 2013 | 3 | 3 |
| Forest River Blue Ridge | 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| Forest River Cardinal | 2013 | 2 | 2 |
| Forest River Cardinal | 2014 | 1 | 4 |
Other equipment recalls in 2013
135 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the equipment; Forest River, Inc. filed 592 campaigns in all.
| 13V645000 24 Dec 2013 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 13V654000 20 Dec 2013 | Starcraft RV, Inc. |
| 13V638000 19 Dec 2013 | Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. |
| 13V636000 18 Dec 2013 | Altec Industries Inc. |
| 13V623000 16 Dec 2013 | Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc. |
| 13V609000 3 Dec 2013 | Starcraft RV, Inc. |
| 13V593000 25 Nov 2013 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 13V565000 13 Nov 2013 | Sutphen Corporation |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013