Model year record

2015 Forest River Salem recalls & problems

The 2015 Forest River Salem has 5 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (5 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints8filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemAug 21, 2018

12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 18V5500005,847 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

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.

EquipmentNov 7, 2014

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 14V71200040 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionOct 31, 2014

Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger/bracket

Recall 14V689000206 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A spring hanger that fractures may result in a loss of control of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentOct 7, 2014

Other › Labels

Recall 14V625000205 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: If the trailer is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

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	Typical mileage*
StructureBody; Body › Roof and pillars	5	—
Suspension	3	—
Electrical system	2	—
Unknown or other	2	—
Service brakes	2	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
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…
Jun 8, 2017 · 875 miles
Service brakes
I BOUGHT AN RV 2015 FOR MAJOR RV IN HESPERIA CALIFORNIA FOREST RIVER SALEM TWO WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE PAIN STARTED PULLING OFF THE FRONT THEN TRAILER BRAKES KEPT SHORTING IN AND OUT AND THEN QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER TOOK IT BACK TO MAJOR RV TOLD HIM ABOUT THE PAINT AND TRAILER BRAKES THEY TOLD ME THEY PUT A SWITCH IN THAT FROM WHEREVER MADE THE SWITCH PUT A WIRE IN THE WRONG PLACE BUT THEY WERE CONTACT IN THE FACTORY TO DO THE PAINT I TOLD HIM SUSPENSION IS HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE TRAILER CAPACITY IS 1300 AND 50 POUNDS WHAT'S THE TRACK 400 POUNDS FROM FRESHWATER ALL THAT'S GREAT NOTHING MUCH IN THE TRAILER AT ALL BUTT IT TOOK A WHOLE YEAR I SAT AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE FOREST RIVER…
Jun 20, 2016
Service brakes
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.
Oct 19, 2016 · 10,000 miles
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
Jul 14, 2016
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.
Jun 29, 2016
Structure › Body
**ADVISED BY PUBLIC.AFFAIRS@DOT.GOV TO FORWARD TO YOU FOR ACTION** EXTENSIVE MOLD DAMAGE - COMPROMISED STRUCTURAL/SUSPENSION INTEGRITY DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE FINE/RECALL LEVIED AGAINST MANUFACTURER FOREST RIVER (JULY 2015) FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY REPORTING SAFETY ISSUES. WE OWN A FOREST RIVER SALEM CRUISE LITE, BOUGHT NEW AUG 2015, FAULTY CONSTRUCTION/LEAKS SINCE PURCHASE. REPAIR DONE/NOT RESOLVED. BROUGHT IN AGAIN & CURRENTLY WALLS RIPPED OUT & EXTENSIVE MOLD FOUND BY DEALERSHIP. DEALER ADVOCATED FOR FULL REPLACEMENT (TECHNICIAN HAD TO LEAVE UNIT DUE TO MOLD). FOREST RIVER TOWED IT FROM FL TO GOSHEN, IN FACILITY (WALLS RIPPED OUT, 1000+ MILES ON HIGHWAYS IN HIGH WIND/STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY…
Aug 15, 2015
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.
Jul 18, 2014
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.
Jun 30, 2015

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