Slide-Room may Extend Unexpectedly – 2019-2020 Forest River Georgetown & FR3 Motorhomes

June 21, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V481000

Slide-Room may Extend Unexpectedly

If the slide-room extends while the vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V481

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 688

 

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Georgetown and FR3 motorhomes. The slim-rack slide out mechanisms may activate unintentionally, moving the slide room in or out unexpectedly.

 

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new controller and switch for the slideout mechanism, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 31, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River’s number for this recall is 68-0991.

 

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.

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 19V481
CANADA RECALL: 2019-311

<<DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

 

July 31, 2019

Pursuant to USC49CFR §577.13 – Notification to Dealerships and Distributors – Paragraph B

“It is a violation of Federal Law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by the notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.”

–Forest River motorized and towable products are contained in this section-

 

CANADA: Pursuant to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act, section 5

Companies who sell new non-complying vehicles may be in violation of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Substantial penalties apply to violations of this law.

Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a safety defect exists in certain 2019 through 2020 model year FR3 – F3A30DSF, F3A32DSF, F3A33DSF, certain 2020 model year FR3 – F3A32DSFEM and 2019 through 2020 model year Georgetown – GTA30X3F and GTA33B3F Class A Motorhome recreational vehicles. Forest

River is recalling the defect model(s) to ensure the safety of our future retail consumers and your dealership. Forest River apologizes for any inconvenience this action may cause your dealership; however, safety continued satisfaction and our commitment to building great products are of the utmost importance to Forest River.

 

The identified VIN referenced in the attached document(s).

The designated Date range of production is May 2018 through June 2019.

 

DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE:

The Slim-rack slideout mechanisms may activate unintentionally moving the slide room in or out.

 

EVALUATION OF RISK:

If a Slim-rack slideout mechanism began extending or retracting unintended it may increase the risk of personal injury or property damage while in motion.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

Dealership Service Department Service please reference the included remedy instructions.

 

AVAILABILITY OF REMEDY:

The remedy for this recall is attached with this notification. Please see attached remedy instructions.

 

WHAT IS THE PART NUMBER OF THE REMEDY KIT?

366697 AND 404183 – CONTROLLER

363984 – SLIDE SWITCH

 

PARTS AND RETURN:

Pictures are required for the remedy and/or inspection after installation.
Pictures of the remedy are a condition of payment in which must be provided with a claim against the repair code(s).

 

DEALER REPAIR CODES:

UNITED STATES	CANADA	REPAIR CODE	DESCRIPTION	ALLOWABLE HOUR(S)
19V481	2019-311	10-481311	R/R SLIM-RACK SLIDE CONTROLLERS & NEW SWITCHES	1.5 per slide

 

 

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION:

CONTACT	PHONE
Customer Service	(574) 206-7600

 

The Recall shall be considered the utmost priority to remedy the 2019 through 2020 model year FR3 – F3A30DSF,

F3A32DSF, F3A33DSF, certain 2020 model year FR3 – F3A32DSFEM and 2019 through 2020 model year Georgetown – GTA30X3F and GTA33B3F Class A Motorhome recreational vehicles in question. The retail consumer shall not be charged any amount of monies for remedy to their 2019 through 2020 model year FR3 – F3A30DSF, F3A32DSF, F3A33DSF, certain 2020 model year FR3 – F3A32DSFEM and 2019 through 2020 model year Georgetown – GTA30X3F and GTA33B3F Class A Motorhome recreational vehicles listed under this Recall.

 

If your dealership has already performed the remedy to 2019 through 2020 model year FR3 – F3A30DSF, F3A32DSF, F3A33DSF, certain 2020 model year FR3 – F3A32DSFEM and 2019 through 2020 model year Georgetown – GTA30X3F and GTA33B3F Class A Motorhome recreational vehicles, your dealership is entitled to the reimbursement as stated above by filing a claim using the indicated repair code(s).  If the remedy needs to be performed on an out of warranty

2019 through 2020 model year FR3 – F3A30DSF, F3A32DSF, F3A33DSF, certain 2020 model year FR3 – F3A32DSFEM and 2019 through 2020 model year Georgetown – GTA30X3F and GTA33B3F Class A Motorhome recreational vehicles in which the VIN falls under as stated in the identified VIN listing, your dealership is entitled to the reimbursement as stated above by filing a claim using the indicated repair code(s).

 

Notice:

In no manner shall a Forest River Product Owner or Coachmen Product Owner be charged any fee(s) for scheduling, conduction or completion of the recall.  Additionally, all dealership(s) that are Forest River and/or Coachmen dealership(s) are Federally Mandated to perform the recall once presented with this recall whether by the Owner or Dealership receipt of this letter, without denial of service to the Owner.  Lastly, denial of a remedy for this recall is a Federal Violation punishable by law resulting substantial fines and/or civil penalties.

 

Federal Regulation requires that any lessor receiving this Recall must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.  If your dealership no longer owns this vehicle, please inform the Warranty Manager of the product listed above of the change of ownership.                                           

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FR3 & GEORGETOWN SLIDE CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT – REMEDY INSTRUCTIONS

Disconnect the vehicles’ battery Positive and Negative, disconnect any House battery(s) Positive and

Negative, if equipped with a generator ensure it is off and lastly, ensure the vehicle is disconnected from shore power.  Block any tires/wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Failure to do so may result in electrocution, fire or other personal injury, property damage and/or death.

 

STEP 1: LOCATE THE SLIDE CONTROLLERS OF THE VEHICLES; SEE THE LIST BELOW FOR THE NUMBER OF SLIDE CONTROLLERS FOR THE VEHICLE(S) AND THEIR LOCATION.

• FR3 – 30DS = TWO SLIDE CONTROLLERS PER UNIT; ONE DRIVERS SIDE AND ONE PASSENGER SIDE
• FR3 – 32DS = TWO SLIDE CONTROLLERS PER UNIT; ONE DRIVERS SIDE AND ONE PASSENGER SIDE
• FR3 – 33DS = TWO SLIDE CONTROLLERS PER UNIT; ONE DRIVERS SIDE AND ONE PASSENGER SIDE
• GEORGETOWN – 30X3 = TWO SLIDE CONTROLLERS PER UNIT; BOTH ON DRIVERS SIDE
• GEORGETOWN – 33B3 = TWO SLIDE CONTROLLERS PER UNIT; ONE DRIVERS SIDE AND ONE PASSENGER SIDE

 

STEP 2: LOOK FOR A BLACK ABS PLASTIC COVER MOUNTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR OR ON THE INSIDE WALL IN THE TRUNK(S) OF THE LOWER COMPARTMENTS;

• FIGURE 1 BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE PHOTO

STEP 3: REMOVE FOUR SCREWS HOLDING THE BLACK ABS PLASTIC COVER ON;

• FIGURE 2 BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE PHOTO OF THE CONTROLLER STEP 4: UNPLUG THE WIRING FROM THE CONTROLLER;

STEP 5: UNSCREW THE CONTROLLER FROM THE SURFACE IT IS MOUNTED TO (KEEP SCREWS);

STEP 6: USE OLD SCREWS TO INSTALL NEW REPLACEMENT CONTROLLER IN THE SAME LOCATION;

STEP 7: PLUG IN WIRING TO THE CONTROLLER;

STEP 8: REMOVE SLIDE SWITCH(S) FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE;

• FIGURE 3 BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE INTERIOR SLIDE SWITCH(S)

STEP 9: INSTALL NEW SLIDE SWITCH(S) INSIDE THE VEHICLE USING THE SAME WIRING

 

Step 10: See attached LCI Document TI – 326 for programming instructions

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TI – 326 – PROGRAMMING THE SLIMRACK 366697 OR 404183 CONTROLLER AND 363984 TOUCHPAD SWITCH

Programming Instructions

Use this procedure to initially set the IN and OUT stops or change the current stop settings.

Note: At any time during the program procedure, the unit will exit program mode if the slide-out has not been moved for two minutes or if a fault is detected during programming. The FAULT CODE and ROOM OR LOCK MOVEMENT LEDs will flash rapidly for 10 seconds to indicate that the programming procedure failed. After 10 seconds of flashing, the controller will automatically default to Fault Code 1—Troubleshooting section of the Slimrack OEM Installation Manual—and programming must be restarted.

1. If the touchpad switch (Fig. 1) is mounted to the wall, remove it to access the buttons (Figs. 2 and 3) on the backside.

2. Press and hold the set stops/clear fault (Fig. 2A) button on the back of the touchpad switch for five seconds.

A. The fault code and room or lock movement LEDs (Fig. 1A) will light while the button is held down.

B. After five seconds, the green LED (room or lock movement) will begin flashing and the red LED (fault code) will remain lit.

3. The retracted, or “in”, stop is ready to be set. The “in” stop must be programmed first.

A. Press and hold the slide-out motor buttons (Motor 1 and Motor 2, Fig. 3), located on the back of the touchpad switch, that correspond to the slide-out motors to be moved.

B. Press the IN or OUT button on the front of the touchpad switch, depending upon direction of slide-out movement desired.

C. Move the slide-out to the fully retracted position.

I. Press and release the set stops/clear fault (Fig. 2A) button on the back of the touchpad switch to program the retracted stop position.

II. The red LED (FAULT CODE) will now start to flash and the green LED (ROOM OR LOCK MOVEMENT) will remain lit

4. The extended or “out” stop is ready to be set.

A. Press and hold the same slide-out motor buttons (Motor 1 and Motor 2, Fig. 3).

B. Press the IN or OUT button on the front of the touchpad switch (Fig. 1), depending upon direction of gear rack movement.

C. Move the slide-out to the fully extended position.

D. Press and release the SET STOPS/CLEAR FAULT button (Fig. 2A) located on the back of the touchpad switch to program the extended stop position.

I. If both LEDs flash rapidly for one second, then shut off, the controller has been programmed correctly and is now in normal operation mode.

II. If both LEDs flash rapidly for 20 seconds, the controller has not been programmed correctly or the system is wired incorrectly. The touchpad switch will flash the fault code that occurred during programming. Refer to the Controller 366697 or 404183 Fault Codes chart in the Troubleshooting section of the Slimrack OEM Installation Manual.

a. Repair the fault.

b. Repeat the program mode procedure starting with step 1.

III. The controller must be programmed correctly before it will operate in normal mode. The “in” stop must be programmed before the “out” stop.

5. Programming of the 366697 or 404183 controller is now complete.

6. Mount the touchpad switch to the wall with two screws

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 19V481
CANADA RECALL: 2019-311

<<VIN>>
<<OWNER NAME/DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

 

July 31, 2019

This Notice applies to your vehicle VIN listed above. Dear Forest River Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (US) and the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada). Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to the motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2019 through 2020 model year FR3 – F3A30DSF, F3A32DSF, F3A33DSF, certain 2020 model year FR3 – F3A32DSFEM and 2019 through 2020 model year Georgetown – GTA30X3F and GTA33B3F Class A Motorhome recreational vehicles.

 

WHAT IS THE DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE? 

The Slim-rack slideout mechanisms may activate unintentionally moving the slide room in or out.

 

EVALUATION OF THE RISK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPERATOR(S) RELATED TO THE RECALL.

If a Slim-rack slideout mechanism began extending or retracting unintended it may increase the risk of personal injury or property damage while in motion.

 

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER AND OUR DEALERSHIPS GOING TO DO?

Forest River is notifying dealerships of the recall. You may have the recall corrected at any Forest River dealership. However, it is preferable if you have your selling dealership perform the remedy. Forest River completely covers your cost for the remedy; you will not receive any bill of sale for anything covered under the above recall number.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Please contact your dealer without delay and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy.  The vehicle

Owner is responsible for making arraignments to have the work completed.  Please state you have been notified by Forest River of having a recall in process for your vehicle and provide the recall number for the dealership.  It is also helpful to the dealership to have a copy of this letter when you take your vehicle in for the recall remedy.

You may also visit www.forestriverinc.com for dealer locations.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE REMEDY PROCESS TAKE?

The estimated time of repair is 3.0 hours.  However, the dealership may need to keep your vehicle or schedule an appointment with you for a later date to fit into their regular service schedule.

 

WHAT IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR REPAIRS TO YOUR VEHICLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONDITION?

If you have already paid for a repair that is within the scope of this defect under recall, you still need to have this recall inspected and/or performed to ensure the correct parts and procedures were utilized. Additionally, you may be eligible for a refund of previously paid repairs. Refunds will only be provided for within the scope of this defect under recall.

Please send the service invoice to the following address:

FR3/Georgetown
Forest River, Inc.
Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER
55135 CR 1
Elkhart, IN 46514

 

What if you no longer own this vehicle?

If you no longer own this vehicle and have the address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner. You have received this letter because government regulations require that a notification is sent to the last known owner of record. Our records indicate that you are the current owner.

 

PLEASE NOTE: FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT ANY VEHICLE LESSOR RECEIVING THIS RECALL NOTICE MUST FORWARD A COPY OF THIS NOTICE TO THE LESSEE WITHIN TEN DAYS.

 

MAY FOREST RIVER ASSIST YOU FURTHER?

If you have difficulties getting your vehicle repaired, please contact your Forest River Representative listed below:

CONTACT INFO
Customer Service	(574) 206-7600

 

If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle/towable repaired in a reasonable amount of time or without change, you may write to the following address:

Administrator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 Or you may call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or (TTY: 1-800-424-9153). Or visit www.safercar.gov and search; Recall ID: 19V481

Head of Recalls Motor Vehicle Safety Investigations Laboratory Transport Canada 80 Noël street, Gatineau, Quebec, J8Z 0A1 Telephone (800) 333-0510 Facsimile (819) 420-4292 Recall ID: 2019-311

 

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FOLLOW-UP NOTICE OF SAFETY DEFECT

NHTSA RECALL: 19V481
CANADA RECALL: 2019-311
FR ID: 68-0991

<<VIN>>
<<OWNER NAME/DEALERNAME>>
<<ADDRESS>>
<<CITY>>, <<ST>> <<ZIP-XXX>>

 

3/26/2020

This Notice applies to your vehicle VIN listed above.

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (US) and the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada). Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to the motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2019 through 2020 model year FR3 – F3A30DSF, F3A32DSF, F3A33DSF, certain 2020 model year FR3 – F3A32DSFEM and 2019 through 2020 model year Georgetown – GTA30X3F and GTA33B3F Class A Motorhome recreational vehicles. This is to inform you that your vehicle may contain a defect that could affect the safety of a person.

 

WHAT IS THE DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE? 

The Slim-rack slideout mechanisms may activate unintentionally moving the slide room in or out.

 

EVALUATION OF THE RISK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPERATOR(S) RELATED TO THE RECALL.

If a Slim-rack slideout mechanism began extending or retracting unintended it may increase the risk of personal injury orproperty damage while in motion.

 

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER AND OUR DEALERSHIPS GOING TO DO?

Forest River is notifying dealerships of the recall. You may have the recall corrected at any Forest River dealership. However, it is preferable if you have your selling dealership perform the remedy. Forest River completely covers your cost for the remedy; you will not receive any bill of sale for anything covered under the above recall number.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Please contact your dealer without delay and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy.  The vehicle

Owner is responsible for making arraignments to have the work completed.  Please state you have been notified by Forest River of having a recall in process for your vehicle and provide the recall number for the dealership.  It is also helpful to the dealership to have a copy of this letter when you take your vehicle in for the recall remedy.

You may also visit www.forestriverinc.com for dealer locations.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE REMEDY PROCESS TAKE?

The estimated time of repair is 3.0 hours.  However, the dealership may need to keep your vehicle or schedule an appointment with you for a later date to fit into their regular service schedule.

 

WHAT IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR REPAIRS TO YOUR VEHICLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONDITION?

If you have already paid for a repair that is within the scope of this defect under recall, you still need to have this recall inspected and/or performed to ensure the correct parts and procedures were utilized. Additionally, you may be eligible for a refund of previously paid repairs. Refunds will only be provided for within the scope of this defect under recall.

 

Please send the service invoice to the following address:

FR3/Georgetown
Forest River, Inc.
Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER
55135 CR 1
Elkhart, IN 46514

 

What if you no longer own this vehicle?

If you no longer own this vehicle and have the address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner. You have received this letter because government regulations require that a notification is sent to the last known owner of record. Our records indicate that you are the current owner.

 

PLEASE NOTE: FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT ANY VEHICLE LESSOR RECEIVING THIS RECALL NOTICE MUST FORWARD A COPY OF THIS NOTICE TO THE LESSEE WITHIN TEN DAYS.

 

MAY FOREST RIVER ASSIST YOU FURTHER?

If you have difficulties getting your vehicle repaired, please contact your Forest River Representative listed below:

 

CONTACT INFO
Customer Service	(574) 206-7600

 

If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle/towable repaired in a reasonable amount of time or without change, you may write to the following address:

Administrator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 Or you may call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or (TTY: 1-800-424-9153). Or visit www.safercar.gov and search; Recall ID: 19V481

Head of Recalls Motor Vehicle Safety Investigations Laboratory Transport Canada 80 Noël street, Gatineau, Quebec, J8Z 0A1 Telephone (800) 333-0510 Facsimile (819) 420-4292 Recall ID: 2019-311

 

 

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4 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FOREST RIVER	FR3	2019-2020
FOREST RIVER	GEORGETOWN	2019-2020

 

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9 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V481-5610.pdf 271.099KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V481-6288.PDF 214.468KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V481-2983.PDF 211.317KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V481-3270.pdf 203.798KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)-19V481 – Dealer Notice

RCMN-19V481-1185.pdf 1273.482KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-4

RCLQRT-19V481-7964.PDF 211.234KB

 

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ISSUED Renotification Notice

RCRN-19V481-5604.pdf 209.834KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 1

RCLRPT-19V481-9499.PDF 214.465KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-3

RCLQRT-19V481-3311.PDF 211.132KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V481&docType=RCL

 

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