FOREST RIVER Complaints

The failure involves the trailer brake wiring system. The brake wiring harness near the rear bathroom plumbing exit is improperly routed and installed in direct proximity to moving suspension components. This has resulted in repeated abrasion and damage to the brake wiring, causing intermittent and reduced braking capability. The affected components are available for inspection upon request. This condition presents a serious safety hazard. The trailer (approx. 18,000 lbs GVW) experienced degraded braking performance, significantly increasing stopping distance and risk of loss of control, particularly at highway speeds or during emergency braking. This creates a substantial risk to the operator, passengers, and the public. The defect has occurred multiple times and is reproducible. The brake wiring has been damaged on at least three separate occasions due to continued contact with suspension components. The failure location and mechanism have remained consistent, indicating a systemic design or manufacturing defect rather than normal wear or isolated damage. The condition has been visually confirmed during service and repair. Despite repeated failures, no permanent corrective action has been implemented by the manufacturer. There were no consistent warning indicators prior to failure. The primary symptom was reduced or inconsistent trailer braking, which progressed as the wiring became further compromised. Based on repeated failures and consistent damage location, this represents a design defect involving improper routing and inadequate clearance of critical safety systems. This condition may affect other similarly constructed units and warrants further investigation for potential recall or corrective action.

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2022 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite travel trailer, purchased July 21, 2022. At the time of sale, the unit had an open federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-243) involving a fire/explosion hazard. The recall was not remedied prior to sale. The vehicle was presented for service multiple times, and the recall was not identified or addressed until May 2025. At that time, the manufacturer directed that the recall repair be completed; however, the issue has not been resolved. The manufacturer’s owner portal continues to show the recall as open, despite NHTSA’s system not showing an unrepaired recall for this VIN. The vehicle has been out of service for an extended period and is currently unusable. Request: Investigation into failure to remedy a safety recall within a reasonable time, potential reporting discrepancies regarding recall status, and the sale of a vehicle with an open safety recall.

Tire size was ST 205 / 75 R 15. This tire experienced a significant belt separation failure that I fortunately noticed before departing our campsite. While doing a walk around inspection before departure, I noticed a severe tread deformity in the front passenger side tire on our camper. The tires were cold and the ambient air temperature was in the low 60's. Before removing the tire and wheel from the trailer, I checked the tire pressure on all 4 tires, and all were within 2 psi of the recommended 65 psi cold pressure, including the failing tire. I removed the wheel and tire assembly and deflated it for safety, and then took it to a local tires shop to replace the tire. They diagnosed it as belt separation and further stated that it would have likely failed with a blowout within a few miles if I hadn't caught it. The tire had an estimated 15,000 miles on it at the time, but had been professionally repaired for a screw puncture approximately 7,000 miles earlier.

The contact owned a 2022 Forest River Economy Hauler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the trailer rear axle detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact stated that the wheels struck another vehicle, while there were ladders, a saw, and a compressor inside the trailer. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The trailer was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

I am submitting a follow-up complaint regarding a previously reported front axle weight and capacity issue on this motorhome (original ODI complaint #11398920). At the time of the original complaint, the front axle was already operating at or above its rated capacity under normal conditions, even after removing factory-installed components and redistributing weight rearward. Despite removing approximately 820 lbs from the vehicle, the front axle weight was only reduced by about 200 lbs, indicating a systemic weight distribution problem rather than a loading issue. Since that time, the issue has escalated into a safety failure. We recently experienced a blowout of the front left tire while operating the vehicle under normal conditions. Based on prior weight measurements and ongoing inability to bring the front axle within safe limits, I believe this failure is directly related to the overloaded front axle condition. This appears to be a known design limitation. Forest River revised subsequent model years of this same unit with increased front axle and tire capacity, suggesting awareness of insufficient capacity in earlier models. Additionally, numerous owners of similar units have reported the same front axle weight issues. The vehicle cannot be operated within safe front axle limits without removing essential functionality (such as fuel or standard equipment), which is not practical or intended use. Given the progression from a documented weight concern to an actual tire failure event, I am requesting that this matter be formally reviewed or reopened as a safety defect investigation. I can provide supporting documentation including CAT scale tickets, prior correspondence, and details of the tire blowout incident upon request.

The contact owns a 2024 Forest River Sandpiper. The contact stated that while the RV was parked, the rear of the RV became detached and inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The RV was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Purchased this camper as brand new from camping world in November of 2025, after towing the camper home with my family in the vehicle, I proceeded to go through it about a week later to prepare it for winter. Upon going under the trailer I found two bolts that secure the leaf springs to the frame to be loose. One of them (front bolt of front driver side leaf spring ) was 3/4 of the way out, the other the nut was on by just 1 thread and the bolt was also backing out. This could have caused a serious accident or death as the vehicle could have rolled over or collided with another vehicle while turning. I proceeded to contact the dealership, they told me to contact Forrest river directly. I have submitted photos of issues and had back and forth correspondence and they have still not corrected the issue.. it has now been 3 months since I first reported this, and no one has corrected anything. Due to the severity of the issue I can not tow it to be serviced anywhere. I will be contacting my states attorney general as well to file a complaint.

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River XLR Toy Hauler equipped with Castle Rock Tires, Tire Line: ST Tires, Tire Size: 225/75/R15, DOT Number: TJULT 1MT. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the RV suddenly started to swerve, and the steering wheel became unstable. The contact regained control of the steering wheel and parked the vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway. Upon inspection, it was discovered that there was tread separation on the rear passenger’s side tire. The spare tire was mounted to the RV, and the contact continued driving on the interstate when the front driver's side tire experienced a similar failure. The RV was driven to a tire shop, and all four tires were replaced. The contact stated that the RV was poorly constructed. The aluminum siding was unsecured, and the gray water tank was continuously leaking water into the RV. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the RV was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 8,500.

My wife and I went camping to our favorite RV park in Lyndon Station Wisconsin, my sister met us there for a weekend of relaxation and visit. During the first nights stay we were suddenly woke by a smoke filled bedroom/bathroom. Got up and flipped light on and our bedroom was filled with smoke immediately my wife heard a buzzing noise and then the sound of light switch being flipped off hard. I immediately woke my sister up in the front of the coach. Opened the door to get fresh air. Its 1:18 in the morning. Searched frantically for the source, had extinguisher ready. Opened every compartment underneath, the very rear of the RV has storage underneath. The smell of burning wires were strong in that comapartment. Removed side panels in compartment and found on the left side a outlet mounted to the floor had started on fire, cause was the shower drain had leaked without knowing and water had dripped right on top of the outlet that was mounted directly underneath the drain line. The outlet was for the hot water heater, burned the outlet completely melting the outlet and the metal inside the outlet.( Have pictures of all of it) and still have the outlet. Could have been overtaken by the smoke but thank god we werent! Firealarm never went off, battery is replaced yearly. We had only owned the camper a couple of years. Called Camping World in Little Falls, MN they have gave us the run around, told us to call Forrest River no response back. Called CW again nothing but run around for over two years. Nothing, no returned calls, no letter, no satisfaction. I have fixed the problem in our RV relocated a new outlet and wiring for the hot water heater. This issue could be deadly next time to someone else, thank god it wasnt us. I am informing of this issue cause the next person that has this happen could die from this serious issue. I assure you if I didnt think this is a life or death situation I would not be contacting you.This needs to be addressed. No help from dealer.

When traveling along I-40 in Oklahoma we experienced poor road conditions causing our camper to violently buck, bounce and move excessively while driving. Upon arrival in Texas we noticed cracking along the exterior fiberglass of the unit. We contacted insurance to start the claim process. While talking with industry professionals and progressive insurance it was recommended to have the camper inspected structurally prior to any fiberglass repair. Upon inspection by Certified RV in Elkhart, IN we were informed that our camper has several issues with assembly which caused the walls of the camper to disconnect from the frame. Progressive insurance is involved and claims it’s a structural issue that they do not cover. Although our agent claims it’s a known problem with Forest River We’ve contacted Forest River only to be cast aside with camper age, previous owner excuses. Forest River will (how I don’t understand) confirm the unit was assembled correctly. Although will not or cannot provide any documentation to substantiate. Forest River has also refused an opportunity to inspect the camper since it is currently disassembled in Elkhart near their headquarters.