RoadVitals

2014 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 Jun 19, 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.
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 2014 Forest River Berkshire, most frequently naming the exterior lighting and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

  • Exterior lighting266.7%
  • Electrical133.3%

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
17V623000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH

Oct 6, 2017
276 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Berkshire XL and XLT buses. The headlights may shut off while switching from low beam to high beam settings, reducing visibility for the operator and other vehicles.
The risk: If the headlights shut off while driving, decreasing or causing a full loss of visibility, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental wiring harness that will stop the headlights from shutting off unexpectedly, free of charge. The recall began on October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-295-2117. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-0241.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 40-0241View on NHTSA.gov
15V771000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

Nov 19, 2015
489 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Berkshire, Charleston, Legacy, Dynamax, XLR, Continental Cargo, Work & Play, Shockwave, and Coachmen Brookstone recreational vehicles and toy haulers, equipped with Atwood on demand water heaters, models OD45, OD50, and OD50CW, manufactured January 2, 2012, to August 13, 2015. The affected water heaters have a water and gas valve that may cause the water heater to overheat the water in the hot water supply tap.
The risk: The overheating of the water may result in the release of steam, possibly causing the operator is to scald themselves and increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners of a field remedy as provided by Atwood to the Dealerships and O.E.M. A. Inspection and installation instructions for the remedy, to be used and applied only by qualified service center personnel. B. Installation of a water flow adjustment STOP KEY that prevents the adjustment of the water flow down below .5gal/min. C. The addition of a star or lock washer to secure the adjustment screw that prevents unintended adjustment or and adjustment drift from vibration as you travel down the road. D. Securement of the remedy with the application of a warning and tamper proof label applied over the stop key and adjustment screw. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Atwood customer service at 1-574-264-2131. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11092015-0107.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-11092015-0107View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 19, 2018

THE LIGHTS ON THE MOTORHOME ARE VERY INEFFECTIVE. I HAVE TOLD FOREST RIVER SEVERAL TIMES THAT THEY DON'T LIGHT UP THE FRONT OF THE RV FAR ENOUGH FOR SAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE DARK. EVEN ON NON-LIT COUNTRY ROADS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING AS THESE LIGHTS AFFECT MODELS 2014-PRESENT. *DT

NHTSA ID
11102580
Incident
Jun 8, 2018
Mileage
20,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 8, 2018

ON THE MORNING OF 11/20/17 I AWOKE TO THE SOUND OF ELECTRICAL ARCING. I TURNED THE MAIN BREAKER OFF, GOT A FLASH LIGHT AND A SCREW DRIVER AND TOOK PANEL COVER OFF. THEN I TURNED THE MAIN BREAKER BACK ON AND SAW THAT THE 3RD BREAKER FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WAS ARCING IN THE BOX WHICH I THEN TOOK MY PHONE AND SNAPPED A VIDEO OF THE ARCING. AFTER I PULLED OUT THE BREAKER I COULD SEE WHERE THE TOP OF IT WAS BROKEN.BUT THE FACT WAS I COULD NOW SEE THAT THE BREAKER THAT I REMOVED WAS INTENTIONALLY BROKEN AT THE FACTORY TO INSTALL IT ON THAT SIDE OF THE PANEL BOX WHERE THE TABS OF THE PANEL WERE MADE TO KEEP THAT BREAKER FROM BEING USED. NOT ONLY WAS PART OF THE SHELL TO THE BREAKER BROKEN BUT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CLIP IN THE BREAKER THAT KEEPS PRESSURE ON THE SOCKET OF THE BREAKER ONTO THE TAB OF THE PANEL. THE ALTERING OF THE BREAKER COMPROMISED THE CONNECTION TO THE PANEL WHICH I BELIEVE AFTER TIME GAVE IT THE CHANCE TO START ARCING. ANOTHER GUY ON THE FORUM FROM INDIANA THAT HAS A BERKSHIRE COACH, BUT IT'S A 2015 PULLED OUT HIS BREAKER FOR THE SAME CIRCUITS, IT WAS BROKEN OUT JUST LIKE MINE WAS ALTHOUGH HIS STILL HAD THE SPRING TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE TABS OF THE PANEL.SO NOW I ASK MYSELF HERE'S 2 BERKSHIRE COACHES BUILT A YEAR APART WITH THE SAME EXACT BROKEN BREAKER? THERE IS A RECALL17V-799 FOR 16 - 18 BERKSHIRES FOR THIS EXACT PRACTICE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO MUCH FURTHER AS MY COACH IS A 2014 , AND THE OTHER GENTLEMEN'S IS A 2015. SEEMS LIKE IT WAS FOREST RIVERS COMMON PRACTICE TO USE INCORRECT BREAKERS IN BERKSHIRES. I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS RECALL EXPANDED TO 2012 AND MAYBE EVEN SOME OF THEIR OTHER MODELS LIKE CHARLSTONS AND LEGACYS AS WELL BEFORE A FIRE TAKES SOMEONES LIFE. I DO HAVE A VIDEO OF THE BREAKER IN THE PANEL ARCING ON THAT MORNING BUT CANNOT SEEM TO LOAD IT ON HERE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VIEW IT SEND ME AN EMAIL AND I WILL FORWARD IT TO YOU.

NHTSA ID
11076849
Incident
Nov 19, 2017
Mileage
15,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

402012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Generic helpful prints and documents to help dealers.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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—
2014Viewing230—
2013020—
2012030—
2011330—
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.