2020 Forest River Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 14 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 11 Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 1 involved a fire.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersJan 5, 2024
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Cherokee travel trailers. The draw bar locking mechanism may break, which can cause the front end of the trailer to contact the road.
A trailer that contacts the road during transit increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will replace the Ice Hose swing arm draw bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 95-1705.
Campaign 24V003000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemOct 26, 2020
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Cherokee recreational trailers. The shore cord inlet wiring insulation may not have been sufficiently stripped back, causing a poor connection with the set screw.
A poor electrical connection can increase the risk of a fire.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remove the inlet, and rewire or replace the inlet completely if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17D-1201.
Campaign 20V654000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, recreational vehicle/trailerFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V075000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesNov 25, 2019
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee travel trailers. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler, potentially resulting in the coupler failing and the trailer detaching.
A trailer that detaches from the tow vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Forest River will notify owners and dealers will replace the coupler, free of charge. The recall began February 17, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100 or 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-1114.
Campaign 19V844000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, recreational vehicle/trailerNov 1, 2019
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Cherokee Alpha Wolf Travel Trailers. The wire supplying the 12V power for the refrigerator may have been connected incorrectly to the circuit breaker.
The incorrectly connected wire may not have overcurrent protection, allowing the wire to melt, increasing the risk of fire.
Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 76-1109.
Campaign 19V785000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringSep 20, 2019
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Cherokee trailers, models CKT16BF-D, CKT16BFH-D, CKT16GR-D and CKT16GRH-D. The protective paneling may not have been installed around the distribution panel, allowing the distribution panel wiring to be exposed in a storage compartment, which can lead to damage to the panel and wiring.
Damaged distribution panel wiring can increase the risk of electrical shock or fire.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a divider in the storage compartment to ensure the distribution panel wiring is protected, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17D-1089.
Campaign 19V668000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 14, 2019
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cherokee trailers, model CKT294BH. The Federal Placard states incorrect Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information, which may result in the trailer being overloaded.
An operator may rely on the incorrect Placard information and overload the trailer causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Forest River has notified owners, providing replacement placards that contain accurate Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Cargo Carrying Capacity information, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-1033.
Campaign 19V453000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
2 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2025, fire
The contact owned a 2020 Forest River Cherokee. The contact stated that while inside the vehicle, while it was parked in the driveway, an abnormal chemical odor was emitting from the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In addition, afterward, a fuel-burning odor was emitted from the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed black smoke emitting from the battery area. No warning lights were illuminated. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The fire department informed the contact that the fire may have started due to a failure of the solar connection. The front end of the vehicle was consumed by the fire. The insurance company was notified. However, no claim has been filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V654000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM).
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARING AND TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT FRACTURED AND CONTINUED TO ROTATE. THE CONTACT CALLED OUTLET RECREATION (2088 202ND ST E CLEARWATER, MN 55320; (320) 373-9139) WHERE INFORMED TO UPGRADE TO HYDRAULIC HANDLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.