2020 Forest River CHEROKEE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
228 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Integrated Jack/Leveler/Stabilizer:Safety Lockout | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Tires: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Suspension: 3; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Integrated Jack/Leveler/Stabilizer:Safety Lockout: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2023: 4; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11270775 · 2019-10-23 (October 23, 2019)
SAFETY ISSUE WITH A NEW MODEL RV. HAVEN'T HEARD ANY RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AFTER REPORTING IT TO THEM VIA EMAIL TO SABRINA SHANNON OF THEIR CHEROKEE OWNER RELATIONS OFFICE ON SEPT 7 2019. I TOLD THE BLUE DOG RV DEALERSHIP SALESMAN DEREK BROWN IN BEND OR ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HE CONTACTED HIS FACTORY REP ABOUT IT. FOREST RIVER HAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO ME ON THIS ISSUE. THIS SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNS OVERLOADING (TOO MUCH WEIGHT) OF THE CONNECT POINT BETWEEN THE TOW VEHICLE AND THE RV. THE PART BEING OVERLOADED IS THE FRAME COUPLER WHICH FITS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11270775 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11309733 · 2020-02-17 (February 17, 2020)
PURCHASED NEW 2020 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE WOLF PUP 16BHS [XXX] FROM DEALER CLOVIS CA. TRAILER HAS MADE 1 ROAD TRIP 205 MILES FROM DEALERSHIP TO MY HOME IN NAPA, CA THAT WAS DAY OF PURCHASE ON 2/1/2020. THE TRAILER HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE 2/1/2020. ON 2/14/2020 I WAS SETTING TRAILER UP WITH SUPPLIES INTERIOR INSPECTION I NOTICED WALL, CEILING SHIFTING TRIM STAPLES COMING LOOSE. FURTHER INSPECTION BED FRAME WOOD BREAKAGE AND SEPARATING. CEILING RIPPLES AROUND AC AND SKY LIGHT INSTALLATIONS. TRIM MOLDING RIPPLES SEPARATING FORM TOP CORNER WALLS. FRON…
Owner-reported narrative. 205 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11310603 · 2020-02-21 (February 21, 2020)
AXLE IS BENT AND LEAF SPRINGS ARE BROKEN, SINCE NEW. EVERY DOOR AS WELL AS SLIDES ARE OFF AND DON'T CLOSE. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT TOWS CROOKED AND IS A DANGER TO THE ROAD.
Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 11310603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311943 · 2020-02-27 (February 27, 2020)
LPG SUPPLY SUPPORT MOUNT BOLT HAS DAMAGED I-BEAM DIRECTLY BEHIND RIGHT REAR AXLE SPRING HANGER. AXLE SPRING HANGER WELD IS CRACKED I-BEAM IS CRACKED AND CHIPPED. THE LPG SUPPLY LINE IS RUBBING AGAINST BEAM AND AXLE SPRING HANGER BOLT. MULTIPLE FACTORY WELDS HAVE DAMAGED CHASSIS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS OF CHASSIS SHOW SIGNS OF FATIGUE WELD SPATTER RUSTING CHIPS. THIS IS A BRAND NEW 2020 TRAILER. THE ONLY TRIP THE TRAILER HAS MADE WAS 205 MILE FROM DEALERSHIP TO MY RESIDENCE. THE TRAILER HAS BEEN PARKED AT MY RESIDENCE SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT FE…
Owner-reported narrative. 205 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11331869 · 2020-07-01 (July 1, 2020)
I PURCHASED A FOREST RIVER WOLF PUP TRAVEL TRAILER JULY 2019. IT WAS DOCUMENTED TO HAVE A 30 GAL FRESH WATER TANK. AFTER PURCHASE I FIND OUT IT HAS 20 GAL FRESH TANK. THE TRAILER WEIGHT LABEL FIXED TO TRAILER STATES WEIGHT INCLUDES WEIGHT OF 30 GAL FRESH WATER CAPACITY. BASED ON THE INCORRECT WEIGHT LISTED, I DO NOT KNOW ACTUAL WEIGHT OF TRAILER MAKING ACCURATE LOADING IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURE AND THEY ADMIT CHANGE IN TANK SIZE BUT DID NOT NOTIFY PURCHASER AT TIME OF SALE. THEY STATE CHANGE MADE MID 2019. SO…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11331869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394523 · 2021-02-03 (February 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; [phone removed]) 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11394523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425072 · 2021-07-16 (July 16, 2021)
2020 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ROOF LEAKING IN RV. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT NEITHER OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11425072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433969 · 2021-09-22 (September 22, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Cherokee. The contact stated that while the RV was parked, the contact started to unhook the landing the gear on the RV and noticed that the jacking system used to raise and lower the RV was not raised all the way up and keeping the RV in place. The contact took the RV to the local dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed that one of the landing gears leg and motor needed to be replaced. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,0…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11433969 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V453000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2019-06-14 (June 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V668000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2019-09-20 (September 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.
Consequence: Damaged distribution panel wiring can increase the risk of electrical shock or fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V785000 · Equipment:Electrical | Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Reported: 2019-11-01 (November 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.
Consequence: The incorrectly connected wire may not have overcurrent protection, allowing the wire to melt, increasing the risk of fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V844000 · Trailer Hitches
Reported: 2019-11-25 (November 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.
Consequence: A trailer that detaches from the tow vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V075000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Reported: 2020-02-12 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V654000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2020-10-26 (October 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.
Consequence: A poor electrical connection can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V003000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 2024-01-05 (January 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.
Consequence: A trailer that contacts the road during transit increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗