51-1177 – Fender Liner May Damage Brake Line – 2020-2021 Coachmen Galleria, Dynamax Isata, & Forest River Battisti Coach, Forester, & Sunseeker Motorhomes

June 19, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V363000

Fender Liner May Damage Brake Line

Loss of brake fluid can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V363

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected 375

 

Summary

Forest River Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Coachmen Galleria, Dynamax Isata, and Forest River Battisti Coach, Forester, and Sunseeker motorhomes, built on 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The rear part of the front fender liner may contact and chafe the brake hose, possibly resulting in a loss of brake fluid.

 

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will inspect and replace the brake hoses, as necessary. Additionally, the fender liners will be modified. All services will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3BRADVER. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-1177.

 

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: 20V363
CANADA RECALL: 2020-279
FR ID: 51-1177
DTNA RECALL: 20V181

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

 

7/8/2020

 

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 20202021 Forest River Batisti Coach, Forester, Galleria, Isata, and Sunseeker 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? 

As per Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) recall # 20V181 a recall is being issued on certain 2019 Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The rear part of the fender liner on the front axle may contact and chafe the brake hose, possibly resulting in a loss of brake fluid.

 

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

If the distance between the fender liner and the brake hose is not sufficient, the front wheel suspension could make contact with the brake hose, which could lead to chafing of the brake hose and the loss of brake fluid. Over time, if the operator ignores the brake fluid warning indicator and continues to operate the vehicle until the brake fluid runs dry, this may extend the braking distance and increase the risk of a crash.

 

WHAT IS FOREST RIVER AND MERCEDES GOING TO DO?

Forest River will notify owners and dealers of this recall. An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will check the condition and clearance of the brake hoses and, if necessary, to replace them. Additionally, the corresponding fender liner will be manually cut to permit additional space between the front axle wheelhouse and the brake lines..

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Please contact Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter immediately, and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy. . Dealers will inspect and replace the brake hoses, as necessary. Additionally, the fender liners will be modified. All services will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3BRADVER.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE REMEDY PROCESS TAKE?

The estimated time of repair is 2.0 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:

Daimler Vans USA, LLC
One Mercedes-Benz Drive
Sandy Springs, GA 30328

 

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
DTNA CUSTOMER SERVICE	(877) 762-8267

 

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:	For Canadian 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: 20V363	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: 2020-279

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

NHTSA RECALL: 20V363
CANADA RECALL: 2020-278
FR ID: 51-1177
DTNA RECALL: 20V181

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

 

6/25/2020

 

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 2020-2021 Forest River Batisti Coach, Forester, Galleria, Isata, and Sunseeker 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 07/25/2019 through 06/11/2020

 

DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE:

As per Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) recall # 20V181 a recall is being issued on certain 2019 Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The rear part of the fender liner on the front axle may contact and chafe the brake hose, possibly resulting in a loss of brake fluid.

 

EVALUATION OF RISK:

If the distance between the fender liner and the brake hose is not sufficient, the front wheel suspension could make contact with the brake hose, which could lead to chafing of the brake hose and the loss of brake fluid. Over time, if the operator ignores the brake fluid warning indicator and continues to operate the vehicle until the brake fluid runs dry, this may extend the braking distance and increase the risk of a crash

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

Please contact Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter immediately, and request a service appointment to schedule the free remedy. . Dealers will inspect and replace the brake hoses, as necessary. Additionally, the fender liners will be modified. All services will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3BRADVER.

 

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION:

CONTACT	PHONE
DTNA CUSTOMER SERVICE	(877) 762-8267

 

The Recall shall be considered the utmost priority to remedy the 2020-2021 Forest River Batisti Coach, Forester, Galleria, Isata, and Sunseeker motorhome recreational vehicles in question. The retail consumer shall not be charged any amount of monies for remedy to their 2020-2021 Forest River Batisti Coach, Forester, Galleria, Isata, and Sunseeker motorhome recreational vehicles listed under this Recall.

 

If your dealership has already performed the remedy to 2020-2021 Forest River Batisti Coach, Forester, Galleria, Isata, and Sunseeker 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 2020-2021 Forest River Batisti Coach, Forester, Galleria, Isata, and Sunseeker 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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10 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
COACHMEN	GALLERIA	2020-2021
DYNAMAX	ISATA	2020-2021
FOREST RIVER	BATTISTI	2020-2021
FOREST RIVER	FORESTER	2020-2021
FOREST RIVER	SUNSEEKER	2020-2021

 

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6 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V363-6173.pdf 244.987KB

 

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Recall 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V363-1234.pdf 215.769KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V363-5074.pdf 211.089KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 2

RCLRPT-20V363-6738.PDF 216.219KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-20V363-2067.pdf 217.274KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – Amendment 1

RCLRPT-20V363-9309.PDF 215.478KB

 

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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=20V363&docType=RCL

 

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