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2014 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.
4
Latest Apr 24, 2026
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.
3
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express, most frequently naming the body & structure and other / unspecified categories. 3 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

  • Body & structure360.0%
  • Other / unspecified240.0%

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

3 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
17V611000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Oct 2, 2017
594 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers. The frames on these vehicles may not have had reinforcement stiffeners welded onto the exterior I-Beam in the axle area, allowing the axles to be misaligned.
The risk: Misaligned axles can affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and the frame manufacturer will inspect the trailer for frame reinforcements, installing them as necessary and secure the axle mountings, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8205, or Lippert Components customer service at 1-574-537-8900. Forest River's number for this recall is 220-0529.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 220-0529View on NHTSA.gov
13V203000

EQUIPMENT

May 17, 2013
9,526 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.
The risk: If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Forest River, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Apr 24, 2026

The steel I-beam that is the basic frame on this trailer has extensive cracking and breakage. The steel hanger that holds up the leaf spring in completely broken away from the frame and the rear most axle. A certified RV service repair shop investigated the problem and declared there is so much cracking that the trailer in totaled and undrivable. If driven further there is a chance the real axle will fall away from the frame which is a serious safety issue. There is no warning about this problem but was detected when fast excessive tire wear occurred on one tire. The service center showed me a record of the exact same problem, on the exact trailer type (Coachman Freedom Express) that they looked at prior to my problem. The trailer is 12 years old and a steel frame should last for decades! An on-line Google search uncovered other Freedom Express owners have similar problems. Both the manufacturer (Forrest Rive/Coachman) and the frame/axle subcontractor (Lippert) have been unresponsive to my safety concerns. I am turning to you for advice and to present to you this formal complaint. I have pictures should you need documentation.

NHTSA ID
11733621
Incident
Oct 15, 2025
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 28, 2016

BLEW A TRAIL EXPRESS POWER TOWING 225/75R/15 LOAD RANGE D THIS PAST WEEKEND ON MY 2014 COACHMAN 320BHDS. IT MADE A LOUD BLAST AND I PULLED OVER INSTANTLY. I JUST FILLED THE TIRES TO THEIR RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE OF 65 PSI BEFORE I LEFT. TIRES HAVE MAX OF 2500 MILES ON THEM.

NHTSA ID
10902079
Incident
Jun 25, 2016
Mileage
2,500 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 27, 2016

BLEW A TRAIL EXPRESS POWER TOWING 225/75R/15 LOAD RANGE D TIRE THIS PAST WEEKEND ON MY 2014 COACHMAN 320BHDS. IT MADE A LOUD BLAST AND I PULLED OVER INSTANTLY. I JUST FILLED THE TIRES TO THEIR RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE OF 65 PSI BEFORE I LEFT. TIRES HAVE MAX OF 2500 MILES ON THEM. TRAILER WAS BEING PULLED AT 62 MPH ON INTERSTATE I-29. I WAS 30 MILES INTO MY TRIP THAT WAS 120 MILES TO MY DESTINATION.

NHTSA ID
10876834
Incident
Jun 24, 2016
Mileage
2,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS BEING HAULED BY A 2014 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE FRAMING FRACTURED AND THE TRAILER DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD TWO DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHO WOULD BE BEST SUITED TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO APPLICABLE MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID
10876504
Incident
Jun 18, 2016

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—
2014Viewing430—
2013630—
2012110—
2011520—
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.