RoadVitals

2016 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.
2
Latest Aug 24, 2018
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Coachmen Freedom Express, most frequently naming the body & structure, other / unspecified and suspension 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

  • Body & structure133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

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
15V231000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Apr 20, 2015
691 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Amera-Lite ATTX and WATTX, Forest River Cherokee, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Cherokee Wolf Pup, Salem, Salem Laminated, Salem Limited Edition, Vengeance, Wildwood, Wildwood Laminated, and Wildwood Limited Edition, Cargo Mate Blazer, E Series, E Series Wedge, Eliminator, and Qualifier, Continental Cargo Auto Master, Elite Series, Tailwind and Value Hauler, Coachmen Catalina and Freedom Express, Palomino Puma and US Cargo Patriot X, Phantom, Trail & Sport and Trail Master trailers manufactured March 1, 2015, to March 31, 2015. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.
The risk: If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-453-6064. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-03312015-0025.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-03312015-0025View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 24, 2018

THE RIGHT FRAME SECTION AND RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTING BRACKET RIPPED COMPLETELY APART. THE REST OF THE FRAME TWISTED AND THE WALLS/BODY BUCKLED. 2016 COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS 229TBS (TRAVEL TRAILER). LIPPERT FRAME. A DEADLY OR CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I NOTICED THE WHEELS WERE NOT TRACKING PROPERLY. I CRAWLED AROUND UNDER THE TRAILER AND DISCOVERED THE FRAME AND AXLE/SUSPENSION MOUNTING BRACKET HAD RIPPED COMPLETELY APART. THE MOUNTING SECTION SPUN AROUND AND UPWARDS INTO THE TRAILER. THE TIRES WERE RUBBING INTO THE WHEEL WELL. IF I HADN'T NOTICED AND WE KEPT DRIVING MY FAMILY OR ANOTHER FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR BADLY INJURED. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS STILL SOME DAY LIGHT LEFT WHEN I NOTICED THIS. THE TRAILER WOULD HAVE COME APART ON THE HIGHWAY IF WE HAD CONTINUED DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS TRAILER IS LESS THAN THREE (3) YEARS OLD. THIS HAS TO BE INDICATIVE OF UNSAFE MANUFACTURING. FOREST RIVER, THEIR COMPANY COACHMEN AND LIPPERT ARE PRODUCING UNSAFE TRAVEL TRAILERS. WE LITERALLY COULD HAVE HAD A BAD ACCIDENT IF I HADN'T NOTICED IN TIME. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD TO TOTAL THE RV.

NHTSA ID
11122201
Incident
Jul 23, 2018
Mileage
12,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 COACHMAN FREEDOM EXPRESS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V782000 (EQUIPMENT). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THEY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11083121
Incident
Dec 1, 2017

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—
2016Viewing220—
2015310—
2014430—
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.