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2020 Forest River Surveyor

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Structure complaints

2 reports
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499 miles · Sep 11, 2020
StructureSuspension

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 JOH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11354436

1,500 miles · Jul 27, 2020
Structure

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11341729

Official recalls

4

20V360000 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:lpg Systems:furnace

Jun 19, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

20V297000 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer; Trailer Hitches

May 22, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer

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.

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.

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.

Trailer Hitches

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.

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.

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.

20V075000 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer; Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Feb 12, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer

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.

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.

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.

Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

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.

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.

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.

19V772000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Equipment

Oct 25, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment

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.

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

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.

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

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.

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.