Pin Box May Contact Junction Box and cause Fire – 2019-2020 Forest River Sabre Trailers

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September 20, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V669000

Pin Box May Contact Junction Box and cause Fire

An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or cause unexpected brake failure, which can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V669

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 78

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Sabre trailers, models SRF261RK-C, SRF270RL-C and SRF301BH-C. The rotating pin box may come into contact with the 7-way junction box/wiring and cause an electrical short circuit.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the 7-way and junction box to a location that allows movement when the pin box is pivoting, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-2100. Forest River’s number for this recall is 62-1085.

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.

WAY PLUG JUNCTION BOX RELOCATION
– 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 7-WAY BARGMEN PLUG JUNCTION BOX LOCATED ON THE FIFTH-WHEEL HITCH OR NEAR THE FIFTH-WHEEL HITCH;

STEP 2: REMOVE THE COVER OF THE JUNCTION BOX;

STEP 3: INSPECT THE WIRING FOR ANY DAMAGE;

STEP 4: IF THERE IS WIRE DAMAGE, LOOSE CONNECTORS OR ANYTHING THAT MAY LEAD TO A ELECTRICAL FAILURE PRESENT IN THE JUNCTION BOX, FIX THOSE CONCERNS AT THIS TIME;

STEP 5: CAREFULLY REMOVE THE SELF-TAPPING FASTENER THAT MOUNTS THE JUNCTION BOX TO THE FIFH-WHEEL HITCH OR NEAR THE FIFTH-WHEEL HITCH;

STEP 6: RELOCATE THE JUNCTION BOX UP INTO THE HITCH BOX AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1

STEP 7: RELOCATE THE BREAKAWAY SWITCH TO THE LOCATION SHOWN IN FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2

STEP 8: TEST 7-WAY BARGEMEN PLUG AND BREAKAWAY SWITCH FOR PROPER FUNCTIONALITY;

STEP 9: IF TESTING IS SUCCESSFUL, CLAIM THE REPAIR CODES AS LISTED IN THE NOTIFICATION.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 19V669
CANADA RECALL: 2019-464
FR ID# 62-1085

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

10/18/2019

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. This notice is being sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This is to inform you that your vehicle may contain a defect that could affect the safety of a person.

Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a safety defect exists in certain 2019-2020 Forest River Sabre SRF261RK-C, SRF270RL-C, and SRF301BH-C fifth wheel 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 January 28, 2019 through August 6, 2019.

DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE:

The rotating pin-box may potentially make contact with the 7-Way Bargmen Junction Box and causing a short, melting wires and taking out the brakes on the unit.

EVALUATION OF RISK:

The rotating pin-box may potentially make contact with the 7-Way Bargmen Junction Box, possibly severing the wiring and causing failure to the trailer brakes, lights and other features required. The wiring may cause a fire, increasing the risk to property damage and personal injury.

SERVICE PROCEDURE/REMEDY:

Dealership Service Department Service procedures for addressing the pivoting pin box hitting the wiring is attached with this notice

DEALER REPAIR CODES: Dealer Central

UNITED STATES	CANADA	REPAIR CODE	DESCRIPTION	ALLOWABLE HOUR(S)
19V669	2019-464	10-19V669	REMOVE AND REINSTALL JUNCTION BOX	1.00 HRS.

DEALER REPAIR CODES: Dealer Connect

UNITED STATES	CANADA	REPAIR CODE	DESCRIPTION	ALLOWABLE HOUR(S)
19V669	2019-464	RC-003-13–003285	REMOVE AND REINSTALL JUNCTION BOX	1.00 HRS

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION:

CONTACT	PHONE
CUSTOMER SERVICE	260-499-2100

The Recall shall be considered the utmost priority to remedy the 2019-2020 Forest River Sabre SRF261RK-C, SRF270RL-C, and SRF301BH-C fifth wheel recreational vehicles in question. The retail consumer shall not be charged any amount of monies for remedy to their 2019-2020 Forest River Sabre SRF261RK-C, SRF270RL-C, and SRF301BH-C fifth wheel recreational vehicles listed under this Recall.

If your dealership has already performed the remedy to 2019-2020 Forest River Sabre SRF261RK-C, SRF270RL-C, and SRF301BH-C fifth wheel 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 2019-2020 Forest River Sabre SRF261RK-C, SRF270RL-C, and SRF301BH-C fifth wheel 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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 19V669
CANADA RECALL: 2019-464
FR ID: 62-1085

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

10/18/2019

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 Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This notice is also sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Forest River – Office of Corporate Compliance (“OCC”) has decided that a defect, which relates to the motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 20192020 Forest River Sabre SRF261RK-C, SRF270RL-C, and SRF301BH-C fifth wheel 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 rotating pin-box may potentially make contact with the 7-Way Bargmen Junction Box and causing a short, melting wires and taking out the brakes on the unit.

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

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER AND OUR DEALERSHIPS GOING TO DO?

The remedy for this recall is available upon receipt of this notification. Forest River is notifying dealerships of the recall to move the 7-way cord and junction box to allow the pin box to pivot and not come in contact with the wiring. 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 1.0 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:

Sabre
Forest River, Inc.
Attn: WARRANTY MANAGER
2577 E. Kercher Rd.
Goshen, IN 46528

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 within 10 working days after the day in which the notice is received. 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	PHONE
Customer Service	260-499-2100

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:

For US Owners Please Contact:

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: 19V669

For Canadian Owners Please Contact:

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: 2019-464

2 Affected Products

Vehicle