VehicleVerdict

2020 Forest River Surveyor problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2020 Forest River Surveyor — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Surveyor years?

See all Surveyor years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Forest River Surveyor problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other240%
Body & Structure240%
Suspension120%

Does the 2020 Forest River Surveyor have recalls?

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

20V360000OtherJune 19, 2020 · 176 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Surveyor recreational trailers equipped with a specific 30K BTU furnace. The furnace may not have been properly secured inside the furnace cabinet, allowing it to move freely inside the cabinet.

Consequence

If the furnace moves within the cabinet, it may detach from the exhaust vent, possibly causing a build up of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or death.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the furnace and verify the exhaust vent connections, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3119 Option 2. Forest River's number for this recall is 47-1175.

20V297000OtherMay 22, 2020 · 88 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Surveyor Travel Trailers, model SVT296QBLE. The safety chains are insufficient for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and may break in the event of the trailer coming unhitched.

Consequence

If the vehicle trailer becomes detached from the tow-vehicle, the safety chains may break, leading to complete detachment and potential property damage, personal injury or a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and a dealer or service center will replace the safety chains, free of charge. The recall began June 8, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3112. Forest River's number for this recall is 37-1170.

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.

19V772000OtherOctober 25, 2019 · 19 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Surveyor trailers, model SVT33KFKDS. A fuse of the incorrect amperage was installed for the 12V refrigerator, potentially allowing the wiring to overheat.

Consequence

If the wiring overheats, an electrical short can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect fuse with one of the correct amperage, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 37-1108.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WE HAD A ROCK OR SOME SOLID OBJECT (WE DIDN'T SEE IT HAPPEN) HIT THE FRONT WINDOW OF OUR TRAILER, WHILE DRIVING. THE GLASS COMPLETELY SHATTERED (NOT LIKE SAFETY GLASS) AND RESULTED IN SMALL PIECES AND SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER OUR MURPHY BED (WHICH FOLDED UP AGAINST THE WINDOW) AND ALL THROUGHOUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 5, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER SURVEYOR TOWED BY A 2019 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED AND GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY, THE TIRES RUBBED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE RV AND DETERMINED THAT THE UNDER BODY OF THE RV WAS LOW.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER SURVEYOR TOWED BY A 2019 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED AND GOING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY, THE TIRES RUBBED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE RV AND DETERMINED THAT THE UNDER BODY OF THE RV WAS LOW.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 1, 2020

2020 Forest River Surveyor — common questions

Is the 2020 Forest River Surveyor reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2020 Forest River Surveyor have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Forest River Surveyor. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.