Model year record

2003 Forest River Salem recalls & problems

The 2003 Forest River Salem has 3 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is equipment (3 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints8filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentNov 22, 2017

Equipment

Recall 17V756000365,885 vehicles

Problem: 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
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentJul 7, 2008

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 08V346000107,417 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2003-2006 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Risk: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.

EquipmentMar 5, 2007

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 07V085000128,000 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: FOREST RIVER WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600,

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
EquipmentRecreational vehicle/trailer	3	0	—
StructureFrame and members; Body	2	0	—
SuspensionRear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly; Rear › Axle › Spindle	2	0	—
Electrical systemWiring	1	1	—
Tires	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2652. THE REFRIGERATOR WAS REPAIRED IN JUNE OF 2005 BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT COOL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E076000 (EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE) IN DECEMBER OF 2007. DOMETIC STATED THAT HE COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR CHARGES BECAUSE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS REPAIRED BEFORE AUGUST OF 2005. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF A FATIGUE CRACK IN THE BOLIER TUBE CAUSED LOSS OF REFRIGERANT. THE MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE THE COOLING UNIT, BUT NOT THE LABOR. UPDATED 07/29/08
Jun 13, 2008
Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2652. HE SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM DOMETIC (ASIA, 21841034) IN JANUARY OF 2008, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK ONCE THEY REACHED MASSACHUSETTS AND WOULD BE COVERED. THE CONTACT CALLED DOMETIC IN MAY OF 2008 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY CRACKED. UPDATED 06/25/08. *CN THE SERVICE CENTER CAME TO LOOK AT THE REFRIGERATOR AND STATED THERE WAS LEAKING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REFRIGERATOR. THERE WAS YELLOW RESIDUE AND A STRONG SMELL OF AMMONIA. UPDATED 06/25/08. *JB
Jan 11, 2008
Tires
I PURCHASED A FOREST RIVER 38' SAND PIPER SPORT F37SP TOY HAULER FIFTH WHEEL NEW IN 2003. THE TRAILER WAS EQUIPED WITH TANDOM AXELS. WE EXPERIANCED NUMEROUS TIRE BLOW OUTS. EACH TIME THE TIRE WOULD BLOW IT WOULD BLOW UP WITH PIECES OF RUBBER FLYING EVERY WHERE CAUSING EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RV AND CAUSING THE TRAILER TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL UNTIL STOPPED AND OFF THE ROADWAY. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF FOREST RIVER AND ALSO CARLISLE TIRE COMPANY. IN 2005 WE WERE CONTACTED BY A LOCAL RV DEALER TO BRING OUR TRAILER IN TO HAVE THE AXELS REPLACED WITH A HEAVER AXEL AND LARGER G RATED TIRES. THE EXPENSE WAS BEING PAID FOR BY FOREST RIVER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE…
Jul 21, 2007
Electrical system › WiringFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE IN HIS FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. HE DETECTED SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY WENT OUTSIDE TO DISCONNECT THE WIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED AND THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS APPLICABLE.
Nov 9, 2006
Structure › Body
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE FIFTH WHEEL (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE GREY WATER TANK FELL OFF. THE TANK, WHICH COULD WEIGH UP TO 400 POUNDS, WAS SECURED WITH ONLY FOUR SCREWS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND FUEL INFORMATION WERE INAPPLICABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 300.
Sep 15, 2007 · 300 miles
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle
PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATED TIRE WEAR ON A 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. I HAVE A CEDAR CREEK 5TH WHEEL MODEL YEAR 2003, MANUFACTURED 11.02, MODEL # 30RLBS. THE TRAILER HAS 5200# AXLES MANUFACTURED BY AL-KOBER AND THEY ARE CAUSING EXTREME TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGES OF THE TIRES. HAVE SPOKEN TO AL-KO AND THEY DENY ANY PROBLEMS BUT IT HAS BEEN DETAILED ON QUITE A FEW WEB SITES THAT THEY HAD A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THAT THE VISUAL ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM IS RAPID WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGES OF TIRES CAUSING BLOW OUTS AND DAMAGE AND SAFETY ISSUES DUE TO THESE DEFECTS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO CEDAR CREEK, STEVE HICKS, AND HE AGREES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS SENT ME REPLACEMENT…
May 15, 2007
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly
DROVE OVER TWO OR THREE ROUGH BRIDGES. LEAF SPRINGS ON LEFT SIDE OF TRAILER FLATTENED & LOST THEIR SUPPORT, CAUSING THE TIRES TO RUB ON UNDERSIDE OF TRAILER WITH A BREAKING ACTION TO THAT SIDE, CAUSING TRAVEL TRAILER TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. TRAILER WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY DUE TO BENT FRAME AFTER LOSS OF CONTROL. NO ONE WAS INJURED NOTHING WAS HIT NOTHING HIT TRAILER. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A STOP ON THE UNDERSIDE OF EVERY TRAVEL TRAILER ON THE ROAD, TO STOP THE AXLE BEFORE THE TIRE CAN BREAK ON THE UNDERSIDE OF ANY TRAILER. THIS IS NOT ONLY A DANGER TO PEOPLE TOWING TRAILERS BUT TO EVERYONE DRIVING ON THE ROADWAYS. *NM
Apr 21, 2006 · 7,500 miles
Structure › Frame and members
DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. WHEN THE TRAILER WAS TOWED THE LEFT TIRES RUBBED AGAINST THE FRAME SUPPORTS. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.*AK UPDATED 3/28/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREE TO REPAIR THE UNIT AND REPLACE THE TIRE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM
Mar 7, 2006 · 15,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.