CSR

Forest River · NHTSA safety record

2015 Forest River Salem

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

8

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Forest River Salem have filed 8 safety complaints with NHTSA between August 2015 and October 2018. The most complained-about system is the body structure, named in 5 of them (63%). The typical failure was reported at 5,438 miles, the median across the 2 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

18V550000 · August 21, 2018

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.
The risk
If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 5,847 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V756000 · November 22, 2017

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 365,885 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

14V712000 · November 7, 2014

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015 Salem Ice Cabin trailers manufactured October 10, 2014, to October 28, 2014, and certain model year 2015 Wildwood Ice Cabin trailers manufactured October 10, 2014, to October 22, 2014. Due to insufficient thickness, the Lippert Components-brand draw bar of the affected trailers may break.
The risk
If the draw bar breaks, the front of the trailer may fall or the trailer may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River has notified the dealers who have the affected trailers quarantined on their lots. Lippert Components personnel will reinforce the draw tube, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383. Forest River's number for this recall is 06-11032014.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 40 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET

14V689000 · October 31, 2014

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015 Salem 8X16FK, 8X18RB, 8X20RD, 8X20RC, 8X20SV, 8X21RV, 8X22RDV, and 8X22RHV, and 2015 Wildwood 8X16FK, 8X18RB, 8X20RD, 8X20RC, 8X20SV, 8X21RV, 8X22RDV, and 8X22RHV ice house fishing cabin trailers manufactured September 22, 2014, to October 23, 2014. The affected trailers may have been built with frame spring hangers that may be brittle and susceptible to fracturing.
The risk
A spring hanger that fractures may result in a loss of control of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River has notified the dealers that have the affected trailers quarantined. Dealers will install a spring hanger reinforcement kit, free of charge. The recall began in late October 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383. Forest River's number for this recall is 6-102914.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 206 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

14V625000 · October 7, 2014

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Salem and Wildwood T174BH recreational vehicles manufactured September 18, 2013, to August 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have an incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification and tire information labels. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Part 567, "Certification."
The risk
If the trailer is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and will provide corrected labels to the owners, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383. Forest River's number for this recall is 2014-PLT6.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 205 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 8.

STRUCTURE 5 63%
SUSPENSION 3 38%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 25%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 25%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 25%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 5.

2015 2016 2018
2015 to 2018

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STRUCTURE:BODY

875 miles

JUNE 8, 2017, WE WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-15 IN CENTRAL UTAH. WE WERE TRAVELING AT OR NEAR 60 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE VINYL ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE TOP FRONT OF OUR TRAILER. WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AT THE 1ST OFF RAMP WE COULD SAFELY GET TOO, AND SECURED IT WITH ROPES TO PREVENT ANY HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC. AT THE TIME OF THIS ROOF FAILURE WE HAD LESS THAN 900 MILES OF ACTUAL HIGHWAY USE. IF WE WOULD HAVE CONTINUED ON WITHOUT SEEING THE PROBLEM THE ROOF COULD HAVE BLOWN COMPLETELY OFF, POSSIBLY BLINDING OTHER MOTORISTS, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE DEATH OR INJURY TO THE PUBLIC. THE MANUFACTURER (FOREST RIVER TRAILERS) HAS COMPLETELY DENIED ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE FAILURE. SINCE

NHTSA complaint 11140755, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

10,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER HEMISPHERE (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA complaint 10919075. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST VILLA SALEM VILLA (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AWNING DETACHED FROM THE TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA complaint 10884959. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
THE SUSPENSION AND AXLES DO NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THE CHASSIS AT THE ADVERTISED CURB WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER, CAUSING THE AXLES TO WARP AND ALL 4 OF THE TIRES TO FAIL. THE ATTACH POINTS TO THE CHASSIS ALSO DISLODGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint 10884887. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ONLY EMITTED WARM AIR, THE CHASSIS TWISTED, THE ELECTRIC JACKS DID NOT FUNCTION, AND SEALS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WAS REPLACED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CHASSIS WAS WELDED BACK INTO POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE FRACTURED SEALS AND ELECTRIC JACKS WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint 10786307. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER SALEM FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE RUBBERIZED ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROOF WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND IMPROPERLY GLUED TO THE VEHICLE SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 10745756. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Forest River Salem

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 12 7
2020 12 7
2016 9 8

Other 2015 Forest River models

Every Forest River on this site — 30 vehicles, 428 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst