RoadVitals

2008 Forest River Berkshire

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 Apr 19, 2013
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Forest River Berkshire, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and engine 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 & structure133.3%
  • Brakes133.3%
  • Engine133.3%

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

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
08V345000

SUSPENSION

Jul 28, 2008
57 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 57 MY 2007-2008 MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER XC CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND REAR SUSPENSIONS. IN SOME INSTANCES THE TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE WELD.
The risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, VEHICLE STABILITY WHILE CORNERING COULD BE AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSVERSE BEAM COULD DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING SPARKS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DAIMLER TRUCKS AND SAF-HOLLAND TO HAVE A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ADL TRANSVERSE BEAM PERFORMED. IF A WELD DEFECT IS IDENTIFIED, SAF-HOLLAND WILL PROVIDE A SERVICE REPLACEMENT KIT THAT CONTAINS A NEW TRANSVERSE BEAM, ALL NECESSARY INSTALLATION HARDWARE, BEAM REPLACEMENT, AND INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 08E031 AND 08V269). OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAF-HOLLAND AT 1-231-773-3271, DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712, OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
08V204000

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

May 6, 2008
93 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 93 MY 2007-2008 CHARLESTON AND BERKSHIRE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER-TIGHTENED.
The risk: INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07V306). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Apr 19, 2013

MY 2008 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE 390QS MOTORHOME (FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS WITH A CUMMINS 340 HP, 6.7 ENGINE) WITH 13,200 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY OVERHEATED FORTUNATELY ON A 2 LANE ROAD. THE UNIT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE 4 BOLTS THAT HELD THE FAN HUB IN PLACE HAD SHEARED CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. HE INFORMED ME THAT IN HIS OPINION 4 BOLTS CANNOT HANDLE THE STRESS PLACED ON THE FAN HUB. HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT FREIGHTLINER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. I PROCEEDED TO DO THAT AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS NO RECALL BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOW OFFER A NEW FAN HUB WITH 5 BOLTS. THIS TELLS ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FURTHER FOUND OUT ON THE FOREST RIVER FORUMS WEBSITE THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE BOLTS COULD AGAIN SHEAR OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY CAUSING ACCIDENTS, INJURY, AND, PERHAPS, DEATH! COSTS TO REPAIR THIS WORK IS CONSIDERABLE AS IT REQUIRES REMOVAL OF ENGINE ACCESSORIES AND INTERNAL FLOORING. I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAVE THE SAME CHASSIS AND ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS AS I HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508774
Incident
Aug 8, 2012
Mileage
13,200 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Nov 29, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FOUR SLIDES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTOR HOME AND THE HYDRAULIC HOSES FOR THE SLIDES AND LEVELING SYSTEM WERE LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY THROUGH THE FABRIC OF THE HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,500. UPDATED 12/20/12 *CN UPDATED 1/9/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10486453
Incident
Sep 29, 2012
Mileage
10,500 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Berkshire by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2022010—
2021380—
2020150—
2019690—
20181110—
20170110—
2016471—
2015130—
2014230—
2013020—
2012030—
2011330—
2010120—
2009210—
2008Viewing230—
2007040—
2006010—
2005010—
2004010—
2003010—

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.