2016 Forest River Berkshire

On November 23, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20021 to investigate allegations of inoperative Trimark THP 060-1650 door lock/latches originally equipped on model years (MY) 2015-2017 Class A and Class C motorhomes.ODI received forty-six Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaires (VOQs) describing consumers being locked in or out of their vehicles.The door latch, containing a die-cast zinc plunger, was produced by Equality during calendar years 2014-2016. The die-cast may become porous and brittle over time and can break without warning, causing the vehicle owner to be unable to open the recreational vehicle door equipped with the latch.If the motorhome does not have any other doors such as some Class A models, occupants could be trapped inside, needing to climb out using the emergency exits. If locked out, owners would be unable to easily get in and retrieve children and pets. ODI analyzed the data provided by Trimark in response to its January 27, 2021 information request letter.Although an elevated failure rate was evident on a specific combination of plunger bolt, door lock/latch assembly and door, the data showed that most failures occurred within the first two years of service on the affected 2015-2017 vehicles.This data suggests that component failures generally would have already occurred.Further, ODI data reflects a downward trend in complaints after calendar year 2018 and for post- MY 2016 vehicles.This downward trend may be attributed Trimark's actions in 2016 such as changes in the manufacturing process of its zinc plunger component for the relevant population and its 2016 decision to switch to a steel plunger. In view of the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed.  The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

WIFE WENT TO GET FOOD AND I STAYED IN MOTORHOME, I TRIED TO OPEN DOOR TO TAKE DOG FOR WALK BUT DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. GOOGLED IT AND SAW MANY OTHERS HAD SAME PROBLEM, I AM DISABLED BUT WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO CRAWL OUT WINDOW AFTER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE FOR OVER AN HOUR.NOW STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

NHTSA ID

11364743

Incident

Oct 15, 2020

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEELWELL LINER'S TWO SELF TAPPING SCREWS STRIPPED FROM BEING ATTACHED TO AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THE LINER ALSO HAD AN ALUMINUM TUBE ATTACHED TO THE LINER BUT WAS IN NO WAY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SCREWS AND FOAM SELANT. THIS FAULTY SECURING OF THE LINER ALLOWED NORMAL WIND FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO STRIP THE TWO SCREWS FROM THE ALUMINUM FRAME AND SEALANT CAUSING THE LINER TO FLAP UNCONTROLLABLY UNDER THE FRAME AND IN THE WHEELWELL AREA.

NHTSA ID

11192925

Incident

Dec 26, 2018

Mileage

16,000 mi

AFTER PURCHASING OUR FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE XL ON AUGUST 1, 2016, I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE DURING THE DAY TIME, SHE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT LOOK CORRECT. THIS WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY DEALER. THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL WORKED ON CORRECTING THE HEADLIGHTS FOR 5 HOURS ON AUGUST 2, 2016. THE FOLLOWING NIGHT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AND HAD TO CLOSELY FOLLOWED MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING OUR CAR TO THE RV PARK. I DID NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT UNTIL AFTER I TOOK THE UNIT TO THE FACTORY IN ELKHART, INDIANA ON AUGUST 24TH. THE NIGHT AFTER I LEFT ELKHART ON AUGUST 26TH I TESTED THE HEADLIGHTS FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAM AND THEY WOULD TURN OFF COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. AGAIN I HAD TO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT UNTIL I RETURNED TO FACTORY AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 11TH. THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE WORKING ON A RECALL FOR THIS HEADLIGHT DESIGN. I'M TRYING TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THIS BY REPORTING THIS HAZARDOUS DESIGN. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN 10 SECONDS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS HEADLIGHT THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10918946

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE THE ROAD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

NHTSA ID

10907538

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

Mileage

4,500 mi

Generic drawings to help service centers trouble shoot vehicles.

Generic drawings to aid in trouble shooting components,

FCCC X-Line chassis, equipped with a certain rear mounted Power Distribution Module (PDM), may experience cracked internal solder joints, which after a period of vehicle use may lead to intermittent open circuits, in which the rear marker lights, brake lights, or left turn signal lights may not function. Brake lights that do not function correctly may not notify motorists of a braking event, which may lead to an increase risk of crash. A secondary fused harness will be added which bypasses the affected suspect portion of the PDM. Repairs will be performed by Daimler Trucks North America authorized service facilities.

This document is intended for owners to understand the electrical system of their vehicle.

According to the notification received by Daimler Trucks; on specific vehicles equipped with Stoneridge light bar control units, the instrument panel odometer value is resetting and does not match the Engine ECU Odometer value. New instrument panel software will be installed to correct the issue.

According to the notification received by Daimler Trucks North America; on certain vehicles, a check valve is missing on the auxiliary air tank, causing the tag axle steer tires to remain in a turn and then shifting into reverse. In addition, some of these vehicles also require an airline retrofit.