Forest River Recalls Cardinal Trailers Due to Incorrect Weight Rating Labels
Forest River is recalling 2016-2018 Cardinal recreational trailers because the Federal Placard overstates the Gross Axle Weight Rating, which may lead to vehicle overloading.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where the defect may increase the risk of a crash, but no injuries or crashes have been reported in the source text.
Plain-English summary
Forest River, Inc. is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cardinal recreational trailers, model CAF3250RL. The recall addresses a defect where the Federal Placard on these vehicles overstates the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) capacity by 840 lbs. for each axle. This error causes the vehicles to fail to comply with the certification requirements of 49 CFR Part 567.
The incorrect GAWR makes the Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) label inaccurate, which may result in the vehicle being overloaded. Overloading can affect vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. No specific injuries or crashes have been reported in the source text.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new Federal Placard with the correct GAWR and a new CCC label free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- FOREST RIVER CARDINAL
- Brand
- FOREST RIVER
- Manufacturer
- Forest River, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Recreational Trailer
- Affected units
- 17
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- CARDINAL
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · FOREST RIVER
- SevereForest River Recalls 2026-2027 Cedar Creek Trailers for Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-10-16
- High
- High
- HighForest River Recalls 2025-2026 Cedar Creek Trailers Due to Door Blockage
NHTSA · 2026-09-23
- SevereForest River Recalls 2024-2026 Rockport Trucks Due to Wiring Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-09-11
Same manufacturer · Forest River, Inc.
See all →- HighForest River Recalls 2026-2027 Dynamax Isata RVs Due to Ladder Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-23
- HighForest River Recalls 2026-2027 Dynamax Isata RVs for Bunk Mat Alignment
NHTSA · 2026-09-23
- Severe
Same hazard · overloading
See all →- HighToyota Recalls Multiple Models Due to Inaccurate Load Capacity Labels
NHTSA · 2026-09-02
- Moderate
- High
- High
- ModerateJayco Recalls 2024 Alante and Vision RVs for Incorrect Weight Labels
NHTSA · 2026-06-29
Similar recalls
- High
- High
- High
- High
- High
- High