2020 Forest River Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2020 Forest River Cherokee — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Forest River Cherokee problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Body & Structure	5	26%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	5	26%	— flat
Other	3	16%	— flat
Suspension	3	16%	▲ up
Electrical System	2	11%	▲ up
Brakes	1	5%	new

Does the 2020 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V003000Body & StructureJanuary 5, 2024 · 302 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Cherokee travel trailers. The draw bar locking mechanism may break, which can cause the front end of the trailer to contact the road.

Consequence

A trailer that contacts the road during transit increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the Ice Hose swing arm draw bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 95-1705.

20V654000Electrical SystemOctober 26, 2020 · 9,261 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Cherokee recreational trailers. The shore cord inlet wiring insulation may not have been sufficiently stripped back, causing a poor connection with the set screw.

Consequence

A poor electrical connection can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remove the inlet, and rewire or replace the inlet completely if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17D-1201.

20V075000OtherFebruary 12, 2020 · 4,464 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle while in motion, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.

19V844000Trailer HitchNovember 25, 2019 · 328 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee travel trailers. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler, potentially resulting in the coupler failing and the trailer detaching.

Consequence

A trailer that detaches from the tow vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and dealers will replace the coupler, free of charge. The recall began February 17, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100 or 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-1114.

19V785000Electrical SystemNovember 1, 2019 · 154 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Cherokee Alpha Wolf Travel Trailers. The wire supplying the 12V power for the refrigerator may have been connected incorrectly to the circuit breaker.

Consequence

The incorrectly connected wire may not have overcurrent protection, allowing the wire to melt, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy

Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 76-1109.

19V668000Electrical SystemSeptember 20, 2019 · 53 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Cherokee trailers, models CKT16BF-D, CKT16BFH-D, CKT16GR-D and CKT16GRH-D. The protective paneling may not have been installed around the distribution panel, allowing the distribution panel wiring to be exposed in a storage compartment, which can lead to damage to the panel and wiring.

Consequence

Damaged distribution panel wiring can increase the risk of electrical shock or fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a divider in the storage compartment to ensure the distribution panel wiring is protected, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17D-1089.

19V453000OtherJune 14, 2019 · 70 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cherokee trailers, model CKT294BH. The Federal Placard states incorrect Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information, which may result in the trailer being overloaded.

Consequence

An operator may rely on the incorrect Placard information and overload the trailer causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River has notified owners, providing replacement placards that contain accurate Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Cargo Carrying Capacity information, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-1033.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AXLE IS BENT AND LEAF SPRINGS ARE BROKEN, SINCE NEW. EVERY DOOR AS WELL AS SLIDES ARE OFF AND DON'T CLOSE. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT TOWS CROOKED AND IS A DANGER TO THE ROAD.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 24, 2019

“The contact owns a 2020 FOREST RIVER Cherokee equipped with Castle Rock Radial ST22, Size: 205/75/r14 DOT Number: JUJTYMT2418. The contact stated while at a standstill the passenger front tire exploded without warning. The manufacturer was informed of failure and the contact is awaiting a response.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 17, 2021

“The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Cherokee. The contact stated that while the RV was parked, the contact started to unhook the landing the gear on the RV and noticed that the jacking system used to raise and lower the RV was not raised all the way up and keeping the RV in place. The contact took…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 29, 2021

“AXLE IS BENT AND LEAF SPRINGS ARE BROKEN, SINCE NEW. EVERY DOOR AS WELL AS SLIDES ARE OFF AND DON'T CLOSE. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT TOWS CROOKED AND IS A DANGER TO THE ROAD.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 24, 2019

“The contact owned a 2020 Forest River Cherokee. The contact stated that while inside the vehicle, while it was parked in the driveway, an abnormal chemical odor was emitting from the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In addition, afterward, a fuel-burning odor was emitted from the interior and…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 6, 2025 · fire

2020 Forest River Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2020 Forest River Cherokee reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2020 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (5 complaints), body & structure (5 complaints), other (3 complaints).

Does the 2020 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Forest River Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Forest River Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cherokee years to avoid are 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Cherokee years belongs to 2026.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2020 compare to other Cherokee years?

What are the most common 2020 Forest River Cherokee problems?

Does the 2020 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2020 Forest River Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2020 Forest River Cherokee reliable?

What are the most common 2020 Cherokee problems?

Does the 2020 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

Which Forest River Cherokee years should you avoid?

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