CSR

Forest River · NHTSA safety record

2018 Forest River Cherokee

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

14

Complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Forest River Cherokee have filed 14 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2017 and October 2023. The most complained-about system is the wheels, named in 6 of them (43%). The typical failure was reported at 2,000 miles, the median across the 7 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (8)

TRAILER HITCHES

19V844000 · November 25, 2019

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee travel trailers. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler, potentially resulting in the coupler failing and the trailer detaching.
The risk
A trailer that detaches from the tow vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners and dealers will replace the coupler, free of charge. The recall began February 17, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100 or 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-1114.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 328 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

19V355000 · May 10, 2019

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cherokee ACKT39CL and ACKT39RL travel trailers. The Federal Placard may have incorrect axle rating, cargo carrying capacity, and tire/wheel combination information.
The risk
Due to the incorrect Federal Placard, an operator may overload the vehicle, which may decrease vehicle stability and increase the risk of crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide replacement placards that contain the accurate information, free of charge. The recall began May 28, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17A-1012.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 3 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

18V752000 · October 25, 2018

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cherokee Alpha Wolf and 2019 Cherokee Arctic Wolf recreational trailers. The awnings may have been mounted with fasteners that are insufficient in length and/or quantity, possibly resulting in the awning arm detaching from the wall.
The risk
If the awning arm detaches, it can increase the risk of injury or a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace with the correct fastener, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 75-0867.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 3,606 vehicles across all model years covered

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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

18V066000 · January 22, 2018

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Cherokee recreational trailers. The amber side marker lights are not located as far to the front as feasible on the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicles may also be missing the intermediate side reflex reflectors located at, or near, the midpoint of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
If the marker lights are in the wrong location or if the reflectors are missing, it can reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install amber side marker lights as far forward as feasible, and mount side marker reflectors, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 75-0613.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 75 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

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 14.

WHEELS 6 43%
TIRES 3 21%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 14%
SUSPENSION 2 14%
EQUIPMENT 1 7%
FIRERELATED 1 7%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 4.

2017 2020 2023
2017 to 2023

In owners' own words

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

FIRERELATED

fire · towed

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER WAS HITCHED TO A CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE REVERSING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT COMPARTMENT OF THE TRAILER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE TRAILER WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO MILEAGE. *TT *TR

NHTSA complaint 11097852. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 300 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE 325 PACK 13. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE CAMPER, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (COASTAL RV, 21373 BREWERS NECK BLVD, CARROLLTON, VA 23314) WHERE IT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. *TT UPDATED 7/27/18*JB

NHTSA complaint 11032015. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

RV BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE HVAC UNIT. PER VIDEO RECORDING FIRE FELL FROM THE CEILING IGNITING THE MATTRESS. THE ENTIRE RV FILLED WITH SMOKE WITHIN MINUTES, AND THE ENTIRE TOP OF RV WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT BURNT THE ENTIRE RV, HOME AND CARS BESIDE. IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW JUNE 2018. FIRE OCCURRED JULY 1, 2019. FOREST RIVER WAS NOTIFIED JULY 2019. WE WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO BE IN THE RV WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED.. HAD WE BEEN WE WOULD HAVE NOT SURVIVED. THE HEAT INDEX WAS 98 DEGREES THAT DAY. THE RV HAD A FRONT AND REAR AC. SMOKE EXITED THE FRONT MASTER BEDROOM AC FIRST, PRIOR TO WINDOWS AND DOORS. PLEASE PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS, AND SAVE THEIR

NHTSA complaint 11289747, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES
Castle Rock ST Radial ST 226 - Tire Size 205/75R14 - Load Range C - This tire had never been used and was stored with a cover over it - on the back of our camper. The tire blew - see attached pictures - when it was not in use. Concern - someone could have been hurt - and we have 4 more of these tires on our camper. Am concerned after reading all the reviews - this will happen to the other 4 tires while we are in transit.

NHTSA complaint 11552853. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES

2,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Forest River Cherokee equipped with Castle Rock tires, the Tire Line was unavailable , ST205/75R15, DOT Number was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger tire exploded. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The tires were original tires. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA complaint 11527144. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
After purchasing the travel trailer near Chicago, and returning to Kentucky, I noticed that the tires were rubbing the wheel well above them, on one side. The tires had worn through the cover, and had made burn marks on the wood frame. A local dealer replaced the leaf springs on that side under warranty in the summer of , and replaced the covering material above the tires. Recently, I noticed that all four tires are rubbing above the wheel well, and have worn through the cover and insulation, exposing the floor. There is only 1" to 1-1/2" of clearance between the tires and the wheel well. The trailer weighs 5799 lbs dry, has approx. 1,900 lbs payload, and approx 7,800 GVWR. It has two 3500

NHTSA complaint 11488914, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS
On June 12, 2022 my husband and I were towing our 5th wheel on 99W in Salem/KeizerOregon about 4pm when a car on our left waved us down saying that we had a wobbly tire on the passenger side of the 5th wheel. We got off onto Cherry Lane and pulled over to inspect and could not readily determine the problem. We went to our final destination for the night Keizer Elks which was a mile down the road. It appeared the core of the rim had separated from the rest of the rim. We had Les Schwab a local tire service come over to our 5th wheel the next morning and the repair tech had never seen this before. Tire was replaced and put on a new rim. The original rim is not welded all the way around. Just

NHTSA complaint 11470151, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS

2,000 miles

TWO TIRE TRAILERS BLEW UP GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE FROM A CAMPING TRIP. FIRST TIRE BLEW APART AFTER LEAVING THE CAMP SITE AROUND 15 MINS DOWN THE ROAD. 2ND TIRE BLEW WHEN WE WERE STANDING STILL REPLACING THE OTHER TIRE. THIS IS A SINGLE AXLE TRAILER WITH TWO TIRES. 205-75-R14 CASTLE ROCK WITH 65PSI AND LESS THAN 2,000 MILES. TIRES WERE ON TRAILER FOR JUST OVER 2 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint 11361712. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GLASS PANELS ATTACHED TO THE CABINET DOORS WILL FALL AND BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAMPER WAS PARKED, LEVEL, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR 2 DAYS. THE CABINET HAD BEEN OPENED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND. THE GLASS PANEL WAS NOT LOOSE BUT POPPED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE CABINET DOOR WAS OPENED AND SHATTERED ON THE FLOOR SPREADING SHARDS AND PIECES OF GLASS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPER. I HAD SENT THIS TOPIC TO FOREST RIVER PERSONNEL PREVIOUSLY.

NHTSA complaint 11341812. 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
2017 11 6

Other 2018 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