FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 93 MY 2007-2008 CHARLESTON AND BERKSHIRE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER

May 06, 2008 — Recall Campaign #08V204000

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 93 MY 2007-2008 CHARLESTON AND BERKSHIRE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER-TIGHTENED.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 93 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

08V204000

Manufacturer:	Forest River, Inc.
Recall date:	May 06, 2008
NHTSA Campaign #:	08V204000
Units affected:	93

Description:: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 93 MY 2007-2008 CHARLESTON AND BERKSHIRE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER-TIGHTENED.
Consequeces:: INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective action:: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07V306). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
Notes:: CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2008 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE Complaints
MY 2008 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE 390QS MOTORHOME (FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS WITH A CUMMINS 340 HP, 6.7 ENGINE) WITH 13,200 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY OVERHEATED FORTUNATELY ON A 2 LANE ROAD. THE UNIT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE 4 BOLTS THAT HELD THE FAN HUB IN PLACE HAD SHEARED CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. HE INFORMED ME THAT IN HIS OPINION 4 BOLTS CANNOT HANDLE THE STRESS PLACED ON THE FAN HUB. HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT FREIGHTLINER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. I PROCEEDED TO DO THAT AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS NO RECALL BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOW OFFER A NEW FAN HUB WITH 5 BOLTS. THIS TELLS ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FURTHER FOUND OUT ON THE FOREST RIVER FORUMS WEBSITE THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE BOLTS COULD AGAIN SHEAR OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY CAUSING ACCIDENTS, INJURY, AND, PERHAPS, DEATH! COSTS TO REPAIR THIS WORK IS CONSIDERABLE AS IT REQUIRES REMOVAL OF ENGINE ACCESSORIES AND INTERNAL FLOORING. I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE THE SAME CHASSIS AND ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS AS I HAVE. *TR;
2008 FOREST RIVER CHARLESTON Complaints
FRONT SIDE WALLS (STRUCTURE) SEPARATING FROM FRAME SUPPORT, SIDE WALLS SEPARATING MOVING INDEPENDENTLY FROM FLOORING. SCREWS ATTACHING SIDE WALL OF MOTOR HOME SHEARING CAUSING WALL SEPARATION. FRONT OF MOTOR HOME DROP AT LEAST ONE INCH. AIR ENTERING INTO PASSENGER AREA THROUGH GAP CREATED FROM WALL SEPARATION AND DROP. SCREWS USED TO ATTACH SIDE WALLS OF MOTOR HOME NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT SIDE WALLS. OTHERS HAVE HAD REPAIRS AND REPEATED FAILURES. *TR;