CSR

Forest River · NHTSA safety record

2017 Forest River Cherokee

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

11

Complaints

1

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Forest River Cherokee have filed 11 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2016 and December 2024. The most complained-about system is the suspension, named in 5 of them (45%). The typical failure was reported at 2,000 miles, the median across the 7 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

18V186000 · March 21, 2018

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forest River Cherokee recreational trailers, models CCKT16BF, CCKT16BHS, CCKT16FQ, CCKT16GR, CCKT16GRH, CCKT17RP and CCKT18TO. These vehicles are equipped with Norcold N306 mini refrigerators that may have a loose or missing propane gas valve test port screw, allowing propane to leak out when the refrigerator is used in 'gas' mode.
The risk
A propane leak increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and Norcold dealers will install and tighten the gas valve port screw, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100, or Norcold customer service at 1-800-543-1219. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0687.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 448 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

18V034000 · January 11, 2018

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forest River Cherokee travel trailers. On the affected trailers, a 14 gauge and a 12 gauge neutral wire for the 110V Air Conditioning were connected to the same lug in the 120V panel neutral bus bar.
The risk
If both wires were connected to same lug, the smaller wire may overheat and fail due to trying to handle a higher load, thereby increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the subject wire to another 14 gauge terminal, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17A-0609.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 223 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

17V838000 · December 21, 2017

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Cascade and Cherokee recreational trailers. The trailer wiring may have been improperly routed, allowing the wires to be pinched between the chassis and the vehicle body.
The risk
Pinched wires may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailers, rerouting the wires, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-541-644-8072. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-0456.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 3,297 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:OTHER:LABELS

17V171000 · March 14, 2017

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Cherokee recreational trailers, model ORCKT244JR-64. The Federal Placard has incorrect tire and rim size information, indicating ST205/75R15C tires with 50 PSI and a rim size of 15X5.5JJ, when the actual combination is ST205/75R14C tires with 50 PSI and a rim size of 14X5.5JJ. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
The incorrect tire information can cause the operator to install the wrong size of replacement tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-03082017-0339.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 14 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

16V579000 · August 3, 2016

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cherokee recreational trailers, models CCKT16BHS, CCKT16FQ and CCKT17CJ, manufactured April 15, 2016, to July 28, 2016. The affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the bottom of the trailer and the top of the tire and, during use, the tire may make contact, possibly damaging the tire.
The risk
A damaged tire may unexpectedly deflate, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a bolt on lift kit, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-593-4005. Forest River's number for this recall is 17C-07292016-0234.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 230 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 11.

SUSPENSION 5 45%
STRUCTURE 4 36%
WHEELS 3 27%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 18%
ENGINE 1 9%
TIRES 1 9%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 3.

2016 2021 2024
2016 to 2024

In owners' own words

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

SUSPENSION

fire

Leaf spring fractured and failed twice on the same side of RV following NTHSA mandated recall repair 16V579, and safety modification kit part# 425750. This time the leaf spring failure caused the tire to rub the wheel well and create enough friction to start the interior wheel well carpeting and a garment bag on there to ignite and smolder filling the interior cabin with smoke. Contacted manufacturer Forest River regarding this issue and to obtain information including torque settings and recall kit spacer dimensions on their installed recall modification kit. After not hearing back from Andrew at Forest River- Cherokee customer service for a week regarding (claim reference # [XXX]) I

NHTSA complaint 11628807, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

crash · towed · 20,000 miles

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT, SMOOTH ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRAILER AXLE SUDDENLY BROKE FREE, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO FLIP ONTO ITS SIDE. THE TRAILER APPEARS TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE TOWING VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SLIGHTLY. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE RIDE SIDE LEAF SPRING BROKE, CAUSING THE AXLE TO BREAK FREE. THE AXLE TUBE BENT AND BROKE COMPLETELY NEAR THE LEFT SIDE LEAF SPRING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE PRIOR TO THIS. THE TRAILER WAS RIDING LEVEL AND NOT PULLING OR JERKING THE TOWING VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE SPONTANEOUS, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint 11403106. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES
Driving through construction zone on 70 at 70/71 interchange and tire exploded. 2nd one to explode on same side of the camper. First was a while ago but damaged tire was the same condition as this one.

NHTSA complaint 11480355. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
All the bolts holding camper on frame were loose & 2 we're missing... Screws around slide out loose. Causing the side to split.

NHTSA complaint 11459623. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2017 Forest River Cherokee Toy Hauler. The contact stated that he was informed by an independent mechanic that the box on the rooftop of the RV frame had detached and slipped to the passenger’s side of the RV. The contact also stated that the sliding door inside the RV had pierced the ceiling of the RV. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The RV was taken to a second dealer United RV Center (5100 Airport Fwy, Haltom City, TX 76117) who diagnosed that the substructure of the RV was not cut and aligned properly which caused the box on the rooftop to slip due to vibration while driving the RV. The manufacturer was made aware

NHTSA complaint 11428087, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

2,000 miles

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ARRANGE FOR MY DEALER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE 11/16/20. I ALSO CALLED 01/02/21,ON 3/05/21 I PERSONALLY STOP IN . EACH TIME WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ORDER PART. I CONTACTED A MANAGER ON 05/04 - WE HAVE BEEN TEXTING - STILL NO ACTION. RECALL:16V579

NHTSA complaint 11415146. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Forest River Cherokee

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 23 6
2021 49 3
2020 14 7
2019 9 6
2018 14 8

Other 2017 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