Forest River recalls 2021 Cardinal fifth wheels due to potential spare tire carrier detachment causing crash risk. Owners must contact customer service for free fix.
A detached spare tire carrier can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Forest River is recalling certain 2021 Cardinal fifth wheels because the spare tire carrier can detach and increase crash risk. This affects owners who bought the model after March 24, 2021. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/80426-forest-river-2021-cardinal-recall-spare-tire-carrier-detachment-risk.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/80426-forest-river-2021-cardinal-recall-spare-tire-carrier-detachment-risk · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #21V145000
“Forest River 2021 Cardinal Recall: Spare Tire Carrier Detachment Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/80426-forest-river-2021-cardinal-recall-spare-tire-carrier-detachment-risk. Based on NHTSA recall 21V145000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V145000).
The spare tire carrier may be installed incorrectly, allowing it to detach from the vehicle. This detachment could increase the risk of a crash or injury during normal use.
Owners of 2021 Forest River Cardinal fifth wheels purchased after March 24, 2021 are most at risk. Trailer owners using the spare tire carrier without proper installation could face detachment.
Check for 2021 Forest River Cardinal fifth wheels purchased after March 24, 2021. The spare tire carrier may be installed incorrectly, allowing it to detach.
Call Forest River at 1-574-296-7700 to arrange free repair of the spare tire carrier.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the spare tire carrier, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1304.
The spare tire carrier may be installed incorrectly, allowing it to detach from the vehicle and increase crash risk.
Check if you purchased a 2021 Forest River Cardinal fifth wheel after March 24, 2021.
Contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-296-7700 for free repair of the spare tire carrier.
We’ve drafted a message you can send Forest River to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V145000 — Forest River Forest River Hello, I own a Forest River that is covered by recall 21V145000 from Forest River. The official recall notice states: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the spare tire carrier, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1304. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
