2013 Palomino Columbus

The defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 FR3 motorhomes manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 12, 2016; 2015-2017 Prime Time Spartan toyhaulers manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 31, 2016; 2013-2016 Palomino Columbus toyhaulers manufactured October 4, 2012, to December 4, 2015; and 2015-2016 XLR Thunderbolt and Nitro toyhaulers manufactured May 23, 2014, to November 23, 2016. These vehicles were equipped with certain aluminum, black, ladders manufactured by Christianson Industries. The affected ladders have retractable hinges, each with a welded 'top hat' that can separate from the hinge.

The risk

If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

The remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on January 3, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102016-0271.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 1,104 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

The risk

If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

The remedy

Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 9,526 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened March 20, 2014 · closed October 7, 2014

the brakes, the electric brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 8 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) alleging grease contamination on the trailer brake shoes or drums.This condition could potentially increase the towing vehicle's stopping distance and therefore increase the risk of a crash.During the investigation, ODI received 2 additional VOQs alleging the same problem.ODI sent Information Request letters to Forest River and the component supplier, Lippert Components, Inc. (LCI).In response, each provided complaint and warranty information for the subject & peer vehicles and components respectively.ODI visited multiple Recreational Vehicle (RV) dealers to survey their pre-delivery and maintenance inspections.In addition to local dealerships, ODI visited the Columbus, Forest River and LCI axle plants.ODI observed the hub assembly process at LCI and noted that the hub and bearings are assembled at a subassembly station and greased before transferring them to the main line for assembly on the axle.This allows for grease to escape the seal before ever being assembled.If the grease is not completely removed by the employee just prior to assembly, it may remain on the braking surface. A thorough review of the available data revealed one crash.The crash was minor and although an injury was reported, ODI was not able to confirm as no police report had been generated.ODI attempted to interview both parties; however, the subject vehicle owner was the only respondent.At the time of the incident, no injuries were apparent and the police therefore did not respond.The subject vehicle owner later learned that the other party claimed an injury.ODI's review of warranty data indicated that most owners recognized an issue with their trailer brakes early in the life of the trailer.RVs are typically returned to the dealer for warranty work after the first month or two of ownership.Many units were corrected during this initial break in period.Others were corrected when receiving the first annual service, as is recommended in the owner's manual.Grease on the vehicle's braking surface can diminish the vehicle's brake performance.However, as this issue exists at the time the trailer is originally purchased and does not get progressively worse over time and given that the trailers have one to two years in service with no significant events as the result of brake degradation, ODI does not believe this condition presents an unreasonable risk to safety.Forest River has initiated an Owner Notification Program (ONP) and will alert each subject vehicle owner that their unit should be inspected for grease on the braking surfaces if they have not already done so. LCI claims to have improved their training and material handling practices to reduce future issues.This investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers: 110546092, 10560304, 10561961, 10563621, 10563591, 10564143, 10563464, 10567696, 10577479, 10587690

80 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER COLUMBUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN OF THE RV HAD BECOME VERY SOFT. THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80.

NHTSA complaint 10864568. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

5,000 miles

THE TRAVEL TRAILER IS UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO FAULTY SEALS LEAKING AND GETTING GREASE ON THE BRAKE HARDWARE. I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THESE SEALS DUE TO OTHER TRAILERS IDENTIFIED WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE OF THE AXEL ASSEMBLY LCI (LIPPERT) AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY TRAILER WAS 2 YEARS OUT OF WARRANTY NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ALSO I WAS MADE AWARE THAT LETTERS WHERE SENT OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I NEVER RECEIVED ONE, AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY TRAILER WAS 2 YEARS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED ONE. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10706113. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

3,000 miles

BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. PULLED OFF BRAKE HUB AND FOUND GREASE ON BRAKE SHOES FROM FAULTY GREASE SEALS. I AM IN CONTACT WITH LIPPERT COMPONENTS AT THIS TIME, IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THEY WANT TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10705823. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

5,000 miles

BOTH TRAILER AXLES, 6000#, WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND TO HAVE GREASE CONTAMINATION ON BRAKE SHOES AND HARDWARE. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION. THE GREASE FROM THE WHEEL BEARINGS PASSED THE SEAL, CAUSING THE CONTAMINATION. *JS

NHTSA complaint 10661860. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

6,000 miles

ALL AXLE SEALS LEAKING ON 2013 COLUMBUS 320 RS...6000# AXLES. APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES ON UNIT THAT WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2014....THIS IS BEING REPORTED IN NOVEMBER 2014. GREASE LEAKED THROUGH AXLE SEALS INTO HUB ASSEMBLY, CONTAMINATING BRAKING MECHANISM CAUSING REDUCED TO NO BRAKES ON 14,000# 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. THIS 5TH WHEEL IS USED PRIMARILY IN COLORADO, ON MOUNTAIN ROADS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH LITTLE TO NO ACTION BEING TAKEN BY LIPPERT INDUSTRIES TO ISSUE A RECALL OF THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10659688. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.