RoadVitals

2011 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.
3
Latest Jul 16, 2012
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Forest River Berkshire, most frequently naming the electrical and visibility 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

  • Electrical266.7%
  • Visibility133.3%

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
13V005000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Jan 7, 2013
451 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Berkshire and Charleston diesel motorhomes. The chassis are equipped with connectors for diode jumpers that may come loose, resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use.
The risk: Failure of the cruise control to disengage when the brakes are applied may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Without the brake lights illuminating when the brakes are applied, the driver's intent is not communicated, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) is performing this recall on behalf of Forest River. DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall began in January 2013. Owners should contact Daimler Trucks Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, e-mail address [email protected], or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) FTL-HELP after normal business hours.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number FL-634View on NHTSA.gov
11V531000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Nov 3, 2011
66 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BERKSHIRE MODELS 360FWS, 390BH, 390RB AND 390QS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
The risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Jul 16, 2012

IOTA TRANSFER SWITCH ITS-50R OVERHEATED AND NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE, SEEMS TO HAVE DAMAGED THE REFRIGERATOR(IT NO LONGER WORKS AND OVERHEATED) AT LEAST ONE OF MY ROOF AIR CONDITIONER UNITS, POSSIBLY BOTH. THIS UNIT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED BY NAVISTAR WHO INSTALLED IT ON HOLIDAY RAMBLER UNITS AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER COACH, NHTSA #12V060000. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL FOREST RIVER HAS NOT RECALLED THE UNITS(USING YOUR WEB SITE) I EXPLAINED THIS TO MY DEALER AND HE SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT WHEN THEY GET AN OPENING, WHICH IS AUG. 6TH. THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE INIT CLEARLY GOT VERY WARM, BEFORE IT FAILED, WIRES BURNT, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10465791
Incident
Jul 5, 2012
Mileage
9,987 mi
Electrical
Filed May 14, 2012

ON MAY 13, 2012, THE OUTSIDE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT OUR LOCATION WAS 82 DEG F. WE HAD BOTH AIR CONDITIONER UNITS SET ON 71 INSIDE THE COACH. WE WERE ALSO WASHING A LOAD OF LAUNDRY. THE COACH WAS CONNECTED TO SHORE POWER WITH THE MANUFACTURER-SUPPLIED CORD. THE WASHING MACHINE STOPPED MID-OPERATION AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL WAS OBSERVED INSIDE THE COACH. UPON INSPECTION, NO BREAKERS OR FUSES WERE TRIPPED OR BURNED. AFTER CHECKING ALL ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN THE COACH, WE DETERMINED THAT THE MICROWAVE AND REAR AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WERE BOTH NOT OPERATIONAL. THE WALL PLUGS THAT ARE ON THE SAME CIRCUIT AS THE WASHER/DRYER WERE ALSO NOT OPERATIONAL. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH IN ONE OF THE CARGO BAYS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE COACH. AFTER REMOVING THE COVER TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE, BURN MARKS ARE EVIDENT ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION POINTS AND ONE CAN EASILY SEE THAT WIRES HAVE MELTED/FUSED TOGETHER. THERE IS ALSO A BURN/SCORCH MARK ON THE INSIDE OF THE COVER PLATE. THE PART IN QUESTION IS THE IOTA ITS-50R. (MANUAL AVAILABLE HERE: HTTP://WWW.IOTAENGINEERING.COM/PPLIB/50RMAN.PDF ) THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PART INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V577000 WITH THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BY FOREST RIVER. THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY CAUSED A FIRE AND OR/EXPLOSION. *JS

NHTSA ID
10458296
Incident
May 13, 2012
Mileage
4,302 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 4, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE DIESEL RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WINDOWS HAD SCREENS BUT DID NOT HAVE LOCKS FOR THE SCREENS. A YOUNGER PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO PUSH ON THE SCREEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND ALMOST FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,100.

NHTSA ID
10394133
Incident
Apr 3, 2011
Mileage
3,100 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—
2011Viewing330—
2010120—
2009210—
2008230—
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.