RoadVitals

2011 Coachmen Freedom Express

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Jul 10, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Nov 22, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Coachmen Freedom Express, most frequently naming the suspension, other / unspecified and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension342.9%
  • Other / unspecified228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V756000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
365,885 units potentially affected
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.Manufacturer number 51-0544View on NHTSA.gov
10V596000

WHEELS

Nov 24, 2010
215 units potentially affected
The defect: COACHMEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CATALINA AND FREEDOM EXPRESS COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2010, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 AND EQUIPPED WITH 15" X 6" WHITE SPOKE OR MODULAR DESIGN STEEL WHEELS WITH A SIX HOLE BOLT PATTERN. SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE CENTER PLATE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATE ALIGNMENT.
The risk: THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL WHEEL FAILURE AND WHEEL LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: COACHMEN WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COACHMEN RV CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-453-6064.
COACHMEN RV COMPANY, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 10, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS EQUIPPED WITH LIONSHEAD TRAIL EXPRESS TIRES, SIZE: 225/75R15. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. AFTER 100 MILES, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALMART WHERE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE DOT NUMBER, VIN, AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.

NHTSA ID
11003972
Incident
Jul 3, 2017
Suspension
Filed Jul 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TRAILER'S OUTRIGGERS WERE BULGING AND FRACTURED THE FRAME. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE TRAILER WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE TRAILER RECENTLY FAILED A STATE INSPECTION DUE TO FRACTURES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO AXLES. THE TRAILER WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ID
10733310
Incident
Jun 10, 2014
Mileage
7,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 17, 2013
Fire reported

RETURNING FROM VACATION IN KNOXVILLE, IOWA WE WERE TRAVELING WEST ON THE TURNER TURNPIKE BETWEEN TULSA AND OKLAHOMA CITY. THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD MADE A SUDDEN MOVE TO CHANGE LANES, I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND LOOKED IN MY LEFT MIRROR TO NOTICE A FIRE, SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER. I STOPPED AND EXTINGUISHED A FIRE IN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB. I CALLED A HEAVY DUTY WRECKER SERVICE TO ASSIST IN MOVING THE TRUCK AND TRAILER FROM DANGER OF THE TURNPIKE. WE SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT OF FLYING J TRUCK STOP. THE NEXT MORNING I WAS ABLE TO CALL A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE TRAVEL TRAILER AXLES AND BEARINGS REPAIRED. CURRENTLY THE TRAILER IS IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAVING THE DAMAGES ASSESSED. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WE HAVE HAD ON THE SAME AXLE WITHIN 6 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535858
Incident
Aug 12, 2013
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 17, 2013
Fire reported

TRAVELING EAST ON 146N JUST ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE OF THE FRED HARTMAN BRIDGE A GOOD SAMARITAN HAILED OUR ATTENTION THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS ON FIRE OF OUR TRAVEL TRAILER. WE PULLED OVER OUT OF DANGER TO AN ENTRANCE TO A PUBIC BOAT RAMP. THERE WAS A CENTERPOINTE ENERGY PERSONAL THAT HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FIRE TO THE AXLE. THE TIRE AND WHEEL HAD REMOVED ITSELF FROM THE SPINDLE AND ROLLED INTO THE DITCH. CALLING ON AN EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIR SERVICE TO REPAIR THE TRAILER BEARING, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO BEARING RACE INSTALLED IN THE WHEEL HUB ON THE INBOARD SIDE. THE EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIR TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BEARINGS RACES AND REPACKED THE BEARINGS TO SPECIFICATIONS TO HAVE US RETURN HOME FOR THE EVENING. WE THEN TOOK THE TRAVEL TRAILER TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT PROPERLY REPAIRED AND THE OTHER WHEEL BEARINGS INSPECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535853
Incident
Feb 22, 2013
Suspension
Filed Oct 12, 2011

TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY PULLING CAMPER. STOPPED IN REST AREA AND OBSERVED THAT REAR AXLE HAD BENT AND RIGHT SIDE TIRE WAS AT APPROX 20-25DEGREE ANGLE. AFTER THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. 2 DAYS LATER THE LEAF SPRING ON RIGHT SIDE IN FRONT OF FRONT AXLE SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD. THE AXLE MANUFACTURER EVENTUALLY SENT HEAVIER DUTY AXLES TO WARRANTY THEM, REFUSED TO COVER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THEIR BENT AND DEFECTIVE AXLE. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CAMPER WAS CONTACTED, IT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE AXLE MANUFACTURER AND DOING NOTHING FOR THE CRACKED SPRING, WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. *KB

NHTSA ID
10429953
Incident
Sep 2, 2011
Mileage
3,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Coachmen Freedom Express by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023000—
2022030—
2021210—
2020100—
2019310—
2018210—
2017320—
2016220—
2015310—
2014430—
2013630—
2012110—
2011Viewing520—
2010010—
2009010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.