FOREST RIVER Complaints

I purchased my 2025 Palomino Columbus RV in February of 2025. I have towed it less than 600 miles, so including the delivery from the factory the RV has less than 2,000 miles. While inspecting the RV I noticed that the wheel spacing between the front and rear tires was different from side to side. The passenger (right) side was 5" but the driver's (left) side was 8.5". I inspected the suspension and found that the left side rear axle had slipped back on the leaf spring. The leaf spring centering pin had sheared allowing the axle to move back. The u-bolt hardware was tight. I did notify the RV and axle manufacturers. The RV manufacturer, Forest River, told me to contact the axle manufacturer, [XXX] , who in response had offered to provide two new leaf springs and pay for an hour of labor to have the springs replaced, which I believe is fair. I decided to upgrade the suspension but thought this was a very unsafe issue that should be recorded to ensure it was a one off issue and not systemic. I have no complaints regarding either of the manufacturers handling of the issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2026 N/A Forest River Economy Hauler. The contact stated that while inspecting under the trailer, one of the four bolts connecting the axle to the frame was loose. Additionally, only four of the eight axle bolts were installed on the frame. The contact sent photos of the failure to an independent mechanic, who determined that the loosened bolt needed to be tightened, and that the other four missing bolts needed to be installed to secure the axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25.

Got it in sept 2022 brand new the shower leaked water the seal of the slide leaked and the power inlet got very warm which would kick the breaker occasionally

We have repeatedly reported to both the manufacturer and the dealership that there are multiple screws and staples protruding throughout the RV, creating an ongoing safety hazard. These issues were present from the time of purchase and have been documented during prior service visits. The RV has been returned to the dealership numerous rimes for repairs and has been out of service for a significant portion of our ownership since purchasing it in summer of 2025. On April 11, 2026, during only our second night using the RV, I was walking from the main sitting area down the stairs toward the kitchen/bedroom area when my sock became caught on a protruding screw sticking out of the stair trim/flooring strip. This caused me to lose my balance and fall down the stairs. I landed forcefully on my hands and knees, resulting in pain and visible bruising to my knees and feet, and required medical evaluation. This incident was directly caused by a known and previously reported defect that had not been properly corrected. Given that: these hazards were previously reported/documented, the dealer & manufacturer was aware of the risk, they both knew that I have mobility issues affecting my balance/walking and a family with young children are using it, the defects are widespread throughout the RV, and the condition has now resulted in a personal injury. This represents a ongoing to both myself and my children. The vehicle remains unsafe for normal use. Due to the repeated nature of these defects, prior repair attempts, and now the resulting injury. I am requesting that the manufacturer take appropriate action to ensure safety. This includes a full evaluation of the vehicle and consideration of removal from service, replacement or repurchase if the defects cannot be permanently corrected. I am also requesting that this issue be reviewed for potential broader safety implications.

Tire exploded during highway use creating a hazard to everyone near by. This is the second time this brand exploded on this trailer, same brand, same tire, different batches. There also also hundreds of complaints online on these tires. Pressure was checked that same morning and was not used above 75mph

The contact owns a 2019 Forest River R-Pod Towable. The contact stated that while the trailer was being inspected, the contact was informed that there were fractures in the frame of the underbody of the trailer. The fractures were primarily towards the rear end of the trailer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Fireplace within entertainment center/slide began to work only on low. Cleaned unit, had to pull access panel to access electrical outlet that fireplace was plugged into. Found a browned outlet face. Turned off circuit, pulled outlet and found a charred electrical line and back of outlet. This was probably moments from being a fire. Attempted to contact Forest River - Salem Cruise Lite division but never received any communication back.

I am reporting a safety defect on a 2022 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite travel trailer, model 2516S, This RV is equipped with Dexter axle #1 and #9 from a total batch of #288 axles that Forest River recalled on July 27, 2022 under NHTSA recall 22V-558. The RV was purchased on July 15, 2022, twelve days before the recall. Of the 244 recalled RVs with those axles, only the single-axle tent campers were recalled because the defect was visually obvious on those units. On tandem-axle RVs such as this one, the incorrect installation was not visually apparent. This travel trailer was manufactured with brake axle defects and buyers of these units were never contacted. It does not take an engineering analysis to conclude that if axle #1 and #9 from this batch are defective and 244 RVs were recalled, then all 288 axles should have been inspected and included in the recall. The brakes are significantly ineffective in forward motion, causing complete brake failure under normal braking. This is an active safety hazard. There is serious concern that the remaining 44 axles from this batch were placed on tandem-axle RVs and released into commerce without notification, despite the fact that I have not changed my phone number, address, or email since purchasing this trailer. This is a one-owner, low-mileage unit that has never been serviced or altered. Attempts to resolve this issue through Forest River representative dealerships, Dexter Axles, and Forest River have been ongoing for three months with no resolution. No repairs have been made. The trailer is currently being towed over 1,300 miles to Montana for work with defective brakes. Multiple photos have been attached clearly showing the incorrect brake installation. Please investigate this latent manufacturing defect and consider expanding the recall to include these excluded axles.

This RV is a Manufactured defect Nightmare through Estimates and Insurance Estimate and inspection have 15 defects from [XXX] with over 50 pictures showing Manufacturing defects and inspection from Progressive Insurance found over 53 itemize report with what was wrong with the trailer with over 100 pictures. We had to voluntary surrender this RV to Huntington National bank because no one would help us with the expense to fix this trailer and upon returning this trailer The heating unit of the climate control proceeded to go out and this was the finally thing that pushed me to surrender. Plus now the refrigerator will not open all the way up to remove drawers to clean refrigerator or stay open when needed. Upon pick up the rear bedroom slider would not go in so they pushed it in so they could tow it and is now broken. The driver was warned about the falling of the underneath of the rear trailer and all the problems we were having and he could see that this trailer for being 2 years old was falling apart! I already reported to you the underneath, of this trailer and you have the report! I don’t know what you can do with all this information and reports I was told to send this to you! One more thing if we would have been given an inspection before this trailer was delivered we would have taken this unit. We also had extended Warranty that the bank sent over because we were not given any warranty paperwork about this trailer and looking through was a waste of money and they would not fix manufacturing defects. Warranty says 1year but we thought we were protected under the law of 24,000 miles or 2 year which I believe is our warrant in our state? Forest River says it’s owner fault of manufacturing defects? warrant INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 Forest River Georgetown G7. The contact stated that while parked at the race track, the contact's daughter attempted to turn on the heating system, but it failed to turn on. A few seconds later, the heating unit suddenly caught fire. The contact immediately removed the plastic covering over the unit and put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. People nearby assisted with their fire extinguisher. The cover on top of the unit had to be removed to completely extinguish the fire. The fire department was called and assisted with ensuring the fire was completely extinguished. The contact and their daughter received burns to their hands, arms, and back. No medical attention was needed. A fire report was made. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, where it remained. The contact had learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V771000 (Equipment); however, the RV had not been remedied. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.