CSR

Forest River · NHTSA safety record

2022 Forest River Salem

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

Owners have filed 13 safety complaints about the 2022 Forest River Salem with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the body structure, named in 4 complaints, 31% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

13 complaints on file

13

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
EQUIPMENT 6 · 46%
STRUCTURE 4 · 31%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 · 23%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 · 23%
TIRES 2 · 15%
SUSPENSION 1 · 8%
WHEELS 1 · 8%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 13.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 6.

8 6 4 2
21 22 23 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2022 Forest River Salem. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

7 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

25V682000 · October 10, 2025

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Forest River Aurora, Coachmen Catalina, 2026 Coachmen Viking, Coachmen Clipper, 2016-2026 Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers. The distribution panel wire may be connected to the battery without over current protection.
The risk
Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will relocate the distribution panel wire to the correct side of the breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 205-1987.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 20,305 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:POTABLE WATER:STORAGE TANK

22V729000 · September 30, 2022

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem, Wildwood, and Ozark travel trailers. The fresh water tank may dislodge from the vehicle and fall to the ground when full or overfilled.
The risk
A tank falling to the ground while in transit can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the fresh water tank for straps. and install straps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2022. Owners may contact at Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 72-1559.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 5,168 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY

22V562000 · August 2, 2022

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem and Wildwood fifth wheel travel trailers. The awning rail may not be attached to a backer in the sidewall, which can allow the awning to detach while the vehicle is in motion.
The risk
An awning that detaches increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect for backers and reattach the awning if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 69-1538.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 609 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

22V556000 · July 29, 2022

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Catalina, Cross Trail, Pursuit, Sportscoach, East to West Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Forester, FR3, Sunseeker, Wildwood, 2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral, Chapparral Lite, Clipper, Freedom Express, Independence Trail, Mirada, Spirit, Viking, Work and Play, East to West Ahara, Tandara, Forest River Aurora, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Flagstaff, Georgetown, Ibex, Impression, Ozark, Puma, R-Pod, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Sierra, Solera, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Surveyor, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildcat, XLR Toyhauler, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Tracer, Shasta Oasis, and Phoenix fifth wheel and travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.
The risk
An awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fabric roll or complete awning, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact the customer service numbers listed in the recall report for their designated model. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1532. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 22V-486.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 49,295 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

22V486000 · July 8, 2022

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Ozark, Tracer, Sanibel, East to West Della Terra, Silverlake, Forest River Cherokee, Flagstaff, IBEX, RPod, Rockwood, Salem, Sierra, Sandpiper, and Wildwood fifth wheel and travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.
The risk
An awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Forest River will replace the awnings, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at the following numbers: 1-574-862-1025 (Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Tracer, and Ozark), 1-574-264-6664 (East to West Della Terra and Silver Lake ), 1-260-499-2100 (Cherokee), 1-574-642-8943 (Rockwood and Flagstaff), 1-574- 642-3119 Option 2 (IBEX & RPOD), 1-574-534-3167 (Salem & Wildwood), 1-574-534-4574 (Sierra & Sandpiper). Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1532. This recall has been superseded by NHTSA recall 22V-556.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 19,911 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

22V243000 · April 13, 2022

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
The risk
A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 99,190 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

21V745000 · September 24, 2021

The defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem and Wildwood fifth wheel trailers. The Federal Placard lists a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) that exceeds the load carrying capacity of the pin box, which could result in an overloaded pin box.
The risk
An overloaded pin box can fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Forest River will mail owners a new Federal Placard, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 8, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 69-1423.

Forest River, Inc. · up to 61 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

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

STRUCTURE
Front section of frame or A frame broke/ bent in front of main frame rails while driving! I was only going 25 mph, but on the interstate this could have killed us and others. There are many other reports of this online, the camper was not overloaded rusty or damaged. The rv .manufacturer and frame manufacturer continue to blame each other while nobody will take responsibility and and there seems to be ZERO oversight! These frames MUST be built not just to support the camper, but also the abuse the frame takes from rough roads! You dont see semis and automobiles breaking in half! Please get involved and set some standards for the RV travel trailer industry. 1/8" steel isn't enough the frame

NHTSA complaint 11762851, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem RV. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the power cord connecting the RV to the shore power outlet only powered a selected number of items, including the microwave. The contact stated that the battery system was unable to maintain power to the refrigerator or the freezer. Additionally, while attempting to disconnect or turn off the battery power to the refrigerator, the television shut off, despite being on a separate circuit. Upon further inspection, the contact discovered that the labels and markings on the fuse box were incorrect. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not

NHTSA complaint 11750857, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2022 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite travel trailer, purchased July 21, 2022. At the time of sale, the unit had an open federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-243) involving a fire/explosion hazard. The recall was not remedied prior to sale. The vehicle was presented for service multiple times, and the recall was not identified or addressed until May 2025. At that time, the manufacturer directed that the recall repair be completed; however, the issue has not been resolved. The manufacturer’s owner portal continues to show the recall as open, despite NHTSA’s system not showing an unrepaired recall for this VIN. The vehicle has been out of service

NHTSA complaint 11727803, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES
Tire size: 225/75/R15 We were getting on the highway, but didn't even make it off of the on ramp after having just visually inspecting and checking the tire pressure prior. On the way to where we were leaving we actually had another one of these castle rock tires blow out, so we were planning to stop and get four new tires as there was obviously even less milage on the castle rocks when the first blow out occurred, but didn't we make it that far. Both blow outs caused considerable damage to the unit and there was no apparent cause for them happening.

NHTSA complaint 11548559. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
Front window just cracked like a flaw in the manufacture process nothing struck it. Axles are really close together like one maybe put on backwards. I have photos but won’t let me upload

NHTSA complaint 11539170. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES
225/75/15

NHTSA complaint 11514113. 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
2020 12 7 —
2016 9 8 —
2015 8 5 —

Other 2022 Forest River models

Cherokee 23 Rockwood 12 Wildwood 9

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Forest River on this site — 30 vehicles.

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. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

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