NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 Forest River Surveyor Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 Forest River Surveyor has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Forest River dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Forest River Surveyor. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 Forest River Surveyor owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Forest River Surveyor, describing incidents dated May 15, 2020 to August 5, 2020.

Most-cited components

Structure 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11354436 · Filed September 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER SURVEYOR TOWED BY A 2019 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED AND GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY, THE TIRES RUBBED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE RV AND DETERMINED THAT THE UNDER BODY OF THE RV WAS LOW…
ODI #11348403 · Filed August 10, 2020
WE HAD A ROCK OR SOME SOLID OBJECT (WE DIDN'T SEE IT HAPPEN) HIT THE FRONT WINDOW OF OUR TRAILER, WHILE DRIVING. THE GLASS COMPLETELY SHATTERED (NOT LIKE SAFETY GLASS) AND RESULTED IN SMALL PIECES AND SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER OUR MURPHY BED (WHICH FOLDED UP AGAINST THE WINDOW) AND ALL THROUGHOUT THE…
ODI #11341729 · Filed July 27, 2020
THIS WAS THE FIRST ROAD TRIP WITH OUR NEW 2020 FOREST RIVER LEGACY TRAILER, 19RBLE. WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT, APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH. CLEAR DAY, WITH APPROX. 35-40 MPH WINDS. NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US. WHILE DRIVING, THE SLIDE PROTRUDED ABOUT A FOOT FROM THE TRAILER…

Read all 4 complaints

Furnace May Not Be Properly Secured Inside Cabinet

NHTSA #20V360000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — LPG Systems — Furnace · NHTSA notice

Reported June 19, 2020 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 176 vehicles

Repair completion: 34.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 47-1175 · Owners notified July 1, 2020

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Surveyor recreational trailers equipped with a specific 30K BTU furnace. The furnace may not have been properly secured inside the furnace cabinet, allowing it to move freely inside the cabinet.

Safety consequence

If the furnace moves within the cabinet, it may detach from the exhaust vent, possibly causing a build up of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the furnace and verify the exhaust vent connections, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3119 Option 2. Forest River's number for this recall is 47-1175.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Safety Chains Rated for Incorrect GVW May Break

NHTSA #20V297000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported May 22, 2020 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 88 vehicles

Repair completion: 50% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 37-1170 · Owners notified June 8, 2020

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Surveyor Travel Trailers, model SVT296QBLE. The safety chains are insufficient for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and may break in the event of the trailer coming unhitched.

Safety consequence

If the vehicle trailer becomes detached from the tow-vehicle, the safety chains may break, leading to complete detachment and potential property damage, personal injury or a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and a dealer or service center will replace the safety chains, free of charge. The recall began June 8, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3112. Forest River's number for this recall is 37-1170.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Spare Tire Carrier U-bolts May Fail

NHTSA #20V075000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported February 12, 2020 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 4,464 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 51-1133 · Owners notified March 20, 2020

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.

Safety consequence

If the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle while in motion, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Refrigerator Fuse may be Incorrect

NHTSA #19V772000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported October 25, 2019 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 19 vehicles

Repair completion: 68.42% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 37-1108 · Owners notified November 7, 2019 · Vehicles built June 21, 2019 – October 2, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Surveyor trailers, model SVT33KFKDS. A fuse of the incorrect amperage was installed for the 12V refrigerator, potentially allowing the wiring to overheat.

Safety consequence

If the wiring overheats, an electrical short can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect fuse with one of the correct amperage, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 37-1108.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2020 Forest River Surveyor. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Forest River Surveyor.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11354436

Incident: June 1, 2020 · Filed: September 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER SURVEYOR TOWED BY A 2019 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED AND GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY, THE TIRES RUBBED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE RV AND DETERMINED THAT THE UNDER BODY OF THE RV WAS LOW. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO JOHNS RV SALES AND SERVICE / AIRSTREAM SOUTH CAROLINA ( 165 BUSINESS PARK RD, LEXINGTON, SC 29072, 800-779-2957) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE RV SAT LOW. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPRINGS AND U-BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RV WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 5,000. THE TRAILER FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 499.*DT *AS*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SPRINGS AND BOLTS CHANGED, BUT THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.*AS*DT *TR*DT*TR*DT*TR*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAS REPLACED ORIGINAL SPRINGS AND AXLES WITH A HIGHER 4400LB UNITS. *TR

Unknown or Other

ODI #11348403

Incident: August 5, 2020 · Filed: August 10, 2020

WE HAD A ROCK OR SOME SOLID OBJECT (WE DIDN'T SEE IT HAPPEN) HIT THE FRONT WINDOW OF OUR TRAILER, WHILE DRIVING. THE GLASS COMPLETELY SHATTERED (NOT LIKE SAFETY GLASS) AND RESULTED IN SMALL PIECES AND SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER OUR MURPHY BED (WHICH FOLDED UP AGAINST THE WINDOW) AND ALL THROUGHOUT THE FRONT END OF TRAILER. THE SHARDS OF GLASS ARE SO SMALL THAT IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN IT ALL UP SAFELY. MYSELF AND MY YOUNG CHILD HAVE STEPPED ON SHARDS AND IMPALED OUR FEET. I ALSO CUT UP MY HANDS WHILE TRYING TO CLEAN UP THE GLASS.*DT*JB

Structure

ODI #11341729

Incident: July 4, 2020 · Filed: July 27, 2020

THIS WAS THE FIRST ROAD TRIP WITH OUR NEW 2020 FOREST RIVER LEGACY TRAILER, 19RBLE. WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT, APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH. CLEAR DAY, WITH APPROX. 35-40 MPH WINDS. NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US. WHILE DRIVING, THE SLIDE PROTRUDED ABOUT A FOOT FROM THE TRAILER WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE FRONT WINDOW OF THE TRAILER HAD BLOWN OUT AND THE PRESSURE FROM THE WIND INTO THE TRAILER FORCED THE SLIDE TO PUSH OUT, MAKING FOR A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO ROAD DEBRIS OR FOREIGN OBJECTS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER. WE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY REALIZE WHY THE SLIDE HAD PUSHED OUT WHILE DRIVING. WE FORCED THE SLIDE BACK IN, AND ATTEMPTED TO GO DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. SLIDE PUSHED OUT AGAIN. WE REALIZED THE PRESSURE OF THE WIND FROM THE BROKEN WINDOW WAS FORCING THE SLIDE TO PUSH OUT. WE STOPPED, OPENED THE WINDOWS IN THE TRAILER TO ALLOW THE AIR TO FLOW THROUGH THE TRAILER WHICH THEN PREVENTED THE SLIDE FROM PUSHING OUT UNTIL WE COULD STOP SOMEWHERE SAFELY AND SECURE A COVER FOR THE FRONT WINDOW. THE 2020 TRAILER IS THE FIRST YEAR TO HAVE THE FRONT WINDOW. THE WINDOW SHOULD NOT HAVE SHATTERED. IN ADDITION, THE SLIDE CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUSH OUT FROM THE FORCE OF THE WIND. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT. THE SLIDE IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FOREST RIVER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN US AN EXPLANATION OR AGREED TO REPAIR ALL THE DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER. THIS IS A DESIGN OR INSTALLATION DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER BOTH FOR THE WINDOW AND THE SLIDE. THE WINDOW SHOULD NOT SHATTER LIKE IT DID AND THERE SHOULD BE SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES THE SLIDE SHOULD EXTEND WHILE DRIVING! FRONT WINDOWS IN TRAILERS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SOME SORT OF ATTACHABLE COVER TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING.*DT*JB*DT*JB

Unknown or Other

ODI #11325293

Incident: May 15, 2020 · Filed: May 20, 2020

FRESH WATER TANK FELL OUT FROM BOTTOM OF THE TRAILER. SUPPORT FOR TANK GAVE OUT WHILE TOWING TRAILER, NEARLY TOOK OUT A MOTORCYCLIST. *TR

Other Forest River Surveyor model years

Check your 2020 Forest River Surveyor VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Forest River Surveyor at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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