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Forest River · Ownership Record · Model Years 2005–2024

Forest RiverWildcat Year by Year

What the federal record holds for this line, model year by model year. 20 recall campaigns and 42 owner complaints are on file across 20 model years between 2005 and 2024. These are counts of records, not a quality score, and an empty year is an empty record rather than a clean one — see how to read the table below.

The Record at a Glance

20recalls
Campaigns on file
42filings
Owner complaints
20years
Model years with records
5peak
Most campaigns in one year (2021)
Line · Forest River Wildcat Record spans · 2005–2024 Source · NHTSA

01 How to read this page

Two thirds of towable buyers buy used, and a brochure for the current model year says nothing about the one on the lot. This page buckets every federal record we hold for the Forest River Wildcat by the model year NHTSA assigns to it, so a 2005 unit can be read on its own terms.

A recall campaign is a manufacturer-filed safety campaign. One campaign usually covers several model years, so the same campaign can appear in more than one row below; the totals in the summary count each campaign once.

An owner complaint is one filing by one owner. It is an allegation, not a finding, and NHTSA does not verify it before publishing. Complaints and recalls are different things and are never added together.

An empty row is an empty record, not a clean year. A model year with no campaigns and no complaints means nothing was filed under this line’s name and matched our attribution, which is not the same as nothing going wrong. It is also not evidence the line was not built that year — we publish no production-span claim because we hold no verified source for one. Complaint volume in particular tracks how many units are on the road and how long owners have had them, not just how good the trailer is.

02 Year by year, 2005 to 2024

Model yearRecall campaignsOwner complaintsComplaints citing fireComplaints citing a crashComplaints reporting injury
200523
200624
20071101
200811
20091
20101721
201121
201213
201321
201441
2015342
201643
201742
201852
20193
20201
20215
20223
20233
20242

Range is the span of the federal record for this line, not a production span. Disclosed rather than dropped: 14 complaints name a model year before 2005, so they are not counted above.

03 What the record adds up to

Across 20 model years of records, the busiest recall year is 2021 with 5 campaigns, and the busiest complaint year is 2007 with 10 filings. Complaint counts keep accruing for years after a unit is sold.

The component groups named most often in recall campaigns on this line are Equipment (14), Tires (2) and Electrical system (1).

Owner complaints cluster on Tires (11), Wheels (9) and Structure (7).

Of the 42 complaints on file, 4 cite a fire, 2 cite a crash and 0 report an injury. Those three fields are the owner’s own answers on the filing form.

18 of the 20 campaigns are matched on NHTSA’s own model field. The other 2 name this line in the recall text only, which is a weaker match and is labelled below.

04 The record, year by year

Model year 2024

2 recall campaigns on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
17 Apr 202424V272000EquipmentA circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
12 Apr 202424V265000Trailer hitchesTowing while in a different position can cause the upper front structure to break and the pin box to separate from the vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Model year 2023

3 recall campaigns on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
17 Apr 202424V272000EquipmentA circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
29 Jul 202222V556000EquipmentAn awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.
13 Apr 202222V243000EquipmentA gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Model year 2022

3 recall campaigns on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
17 Apr 202424V272000EquipmentA circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
29 Jul 202222V556000EquipmentAn awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.
13 Apr 202222V243000EquipmentA gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Model year 2021

5 recall campaigns on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
17 Apr 202424V272000EquipmentA circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
13 Apr 202222V243000EquipmentA gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
8 Mar 202121V145000EquipmentA detached spare tire carrier can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
5 Mar 202121V141000EquipmentA misaligned furnace flue can allow furnace exhaust to leak into the living space, increasing the risk of injury or death.
8 Feb 202121V059000EquipmentSafety chain breakage could cause the trailer to detach from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Model year 2020

1 recall campaign on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
29 Jan 202020V049000 named in textService brakes, electricIn the event of trailer separation from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Model year 2019

3 recall campaigns on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
17 Apr 202424V272000EquipmentA circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
21 Aug 201818V550000Electrical systemIf the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
1 Jun 201818V361000TiresUsing the trailer with underrated tires could result in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Model year 2018

5 recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
17 Apr 202424V272000EquipmentA circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
21 Aug 201818V550000Electrical systemIf the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
6 Sep 201717V552000EquipmentIf carbon monoxide enters the vehicle through the slideroom opening, it can increase the risk of injury.
26 Apr 201717V282000TiresThe incorrect information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire, overinflate the tire, or overload the vehicle, all scenarios that may increase the risk of…

Complaints on 2018 units name Suspension (1) and Wheels (1).

Model year 2017

4 recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
21 Aug 201818V550000Electrical systemIf the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
6 Sep 201717V552000EquipmentIf carbon monoxide enters the vehicle through the slideroom opening, it can increase the risk of injury.
26 Apr 201717V282000TiresThe incorrect information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire, overinflate the tire, or overload the vehicle, all scenarios that may increase the risk of…

Complaints on 2017 units name Electrical system (1) and Wheels (1).

Model year 2016

4 recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
21 Aug 201818V550000Electrical systemIf the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
3 Feb 201616V059000EquipmentIncorrect Federal Placard information such as the Gross Axle Weight Rating could lead to reduced handling of the vehicle, potentially leading to loss of control or a crash.
9 Jun 201515V359000 named in textSuspensionIf the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Complaints on 2016 units name Wheels (2) and Unknown OR other (1).

Model year 2015

3 recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
21 Aug 201818V550000Electrical systemIf the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
4 Mar 201515V128000EquipmentIf the trailer is overloaded, the trailer pin box (the connection point for the trailer to the vehicle) may fail, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Complaints on 2015 units name Wheels (2), Electrical system (1) and Structure (1).

Model year 2014

4 recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
21 Aug 201818V550000Electrical systemIf the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
27 Feb 201414V077000EquipmentAs a result, the trailer may be loaded beyond the specified weight rating which may cause a tire or suspension failure leading to poor vehicle handling and an increased risk of a crash.
17 May 201313V203000EquipmentIf the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury…

Complaints on 2014 units name Tires (1).

Model year 2013

2 recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
17 May 201313V203000EquipmentIf the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury…

Complaints on 2013 units name Tires (1).

Model year 2012

1 recall campaign and 3 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Complaints on 2012 units name Service brakes (1), Tires (1) and Unknown OR other (1).

Model year 2011

2 recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
3 Aug 201010V355000EquipmentAN overload condition may result IN AN axle OR tire failure increasing the risk OF A crash.

Complaints on 2011 units name Tires (1).

Model year 2010

1 recall campaign and 7 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Complaints on 2010 units name Suspension (2), Equipment (1), Power train (1), Structure (1), Tires (1) and Wheels (1).

Model year 2009

1 recall campaign on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Model year 2008

1 recall campaign and 1 owner complaint on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Complaints on 2008 units name Wheels (1).

Model year 2007

1 recall campaign and 10 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Complaints on 2007 units name Tires (4), Structure (3), Equipment (1), Suspension (1) and Trailer hitches (1).

Model year 2006

2 recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
7 Jul 200808V346000EquipmentIF this solution IS exposed TO AN ignition source under certain specific circumstances, IT can result IN A vehicle fire.

Complaints on 2006 units name Structure (1), Tires (1), Unknown OR other (1) and Wheels (1).

Model year 2005

2 recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file.

ReportedCampaignComponentWhat can go wrong
22 Nov 201717V756000EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
7 Jul 200808V346000EquipmentIF this solution IS exposed TO AN ignition source under certain specific circumstances, IT can result IN A vehicle fire.

Complaints on 2005 units name Equipment (1), Structure (1) and Tires (1).

05 Where the numbers come from

Recall campaigns come from NHTSA’s recall record, read two ways: the public API and a direct read of NHTSA’s complete recall flat file. Owner complaints come from a direct read of the complete complaint flat file. Both are attributed on NHTSA’s own model field, never on owner free text — several of our line names are ordinary English words and one of them is a US state, so matching prose would attribute thousands of unrelated filings.

Model-year bucketing uses the year NHTSA records against each affected-vehicle row. Where a campaign covers several years it appears in each of those years and is counted once in the totals.

The specification side of this catalog documents 10 floorplans of the Forest River Wildcat in full, for the 2026 model year — verified weights, capacities and dimensions on the Forest River Wildcat line page.

Safety information here is a summary of public records and is not a substitute for NHTSA’s own listing. Check an individual trailer by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.