RoadVitals

2019 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.
6
Latest Mar 19, 2026
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.
9
Latest Jul 9, 2021
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Forest River Berkshire, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, electrical and suspension categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 manufacturer communications are 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 lighting444.4%
  • Electrical222.2%
  • Suspension222.2%
  • Engine111.1%

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

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

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
21V523000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER; STRUCTURE

Jul 9, 2021
825 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2015 Coachmen Encore, 2016-2020 Coachmen Mirada, 2018-2021 Coachmen Sportscoach, 2019-2021 Forest River Berkshire, 2011-2016 Forest River Blue Ridge, 2014-2019 Forest River Cardinal, 2014-2020 Forest River Cedar Creek, 2014-2021 Forest River Georgetown, 2019 Forest River Legacy, and 2017-2018 Forest River Riverstone recreational vehicles equipped with Hehr 6400 Series windows. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.
The risk: Adhesive failure may cause the vent portion of the window to detach, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1380.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1380View on NHTSA.gov
20V562000

TIRES:VALVE

Sep 17, 2020
1,000 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Coachmen Sportscoach and Forest River Legacy and 2018-2021 Berkshire motorhomes built on a Daimler Trucks (DTNA) chassis. The tire valve stem extension for the inner wheel may come in contact with the outer wheel rim opening and become damaged.
The risk: Extensive damage to the valve stem extension may result in a loss of tire pressure of the inner wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and DTNA will inspect the inner wheel valve stem stabilizers, or replace as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1228. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-861.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1228View on NHTSA.gov
20V488000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Aug 18, 2020
1,547 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Charleston, 2017-2019 Legacy, 2017-2020 Berkshire, 2017 Coachmen Cross Country, and 2017-2020 Sportscoach motorhomes built on certain FCCC XB and XC chassis that received an inspection-only remedy for recall 18V-763. The rear mounted Power Distribution Module (PDM) may have been damaged during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the rear marker lights, brake lights, or turn signals not functioning.
The risk: Non-functioning exterior marker lights can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest Rivers will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will replace the old Power Distribution Module (PDM) with a new PDM, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 . Forest's number for this recall is 51-1203.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1203View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Mar 19, 2026

I am submitting a follow-up complaint regarding a previously reported front axle weight and capacity issue on this motorhome (original ODI complaint #11398920). At the time of the original complaint, the front axle was already operating at or above its rated capacity under normal conditions, even after removing factory-installed components and redistributing weight rearward. Despite removing approximately 820 lbs from the vehicle, the front axle weight was only reduced by about 200 lbs, indicating a systemic weight distribution problem rather than a loading issue. Since that time, the issue has escalated into a safety failure. We recently experienced a blowout of the front left tire while operating the vehicle under normal conditions. Based on prior weight measurements and ongoing inability to bring the front axle within safe limits, I believe this failure is directly related to the overloaded front axle condition. This appears to be a known design limitation. Forest River revised subsequent model years of this same unit with increased front axle and tire capacity, suggesting awareness of insufficient capacity in earlier models. Additionally, numerous owners of similar units have reported the same front axle weight issues. The vehicle cannot be operated within safe front axle limits without removing essential functionality (such as fuel or standard equipment), which is not practical or intended use. Given the progression from a documented weight concern to an actual tire failure event, I am requesting that this matter be formally reviewed or reopened as a safety defect investigation. I can provide supporting documentation including CAT scale tickets, prior correspondence, and details of the tire blowout incident upon request.

NHTSA ID
11725598
Incident
Oct 17, 2025
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 23, 2021

The contact owns a 2019 Forest River Berkshire RV. The contact stated that the right turn signal and rear taillights failed to operate as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V488000 (Exterior Lighting, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA ID
11434065
Incident
Sep 17, 2021
Mileage
18,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 3, 2021

THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND TIRES ARE NOT ADEQUATE TO HOLD THE WEIGHT WHEN THERE IS A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED WITH FOREST RIVER AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND UPGRADED THE SUSPENSION AND THE TIRES FOR THE 2020 AND 2021 YEARS.*DT

NHTSA ID
11398925
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 3, 2021

THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IF DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE BRIGHTS ON. NO ONE EVEN NOTICES THE BRIGHTS ARE ON IT IS STILL TO DIM FOR SAFE DRIVING. I AM 43 YEARS OLD WITH PERFECT EYE SIGHT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. THE FORUMS ONLINE ARE FILLED WITH PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND EVEN MODIFYING THE VEHICLE WITH LED STRIPS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WE HAVE ASKED FOREST RIVER ABOUT THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THEY NEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND CORRECTED IT IN THEIR 2020 AND 2021 VEHICLES. *DT

NHTSA ID
11398920
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2021

FACTORY HEADLIGHT DOES NOT INCLUDE A LOW BEAM BULB. IT ONLY UTILIZES ONE H9 BULB FOR HIGH BEAM AND HAS A LED STRIP FOR LOW BEAM LIGHTING. THIS LOW BEAM LIGHTING IS VERY DIM AND LOOKS TO BE BELOW MINIMUM LUMENS FOR ROAD/HIGHWAY USE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURE AND WAS TOLD THE UNIT ONLY HAS THE ONE BULB. PLEASE COMMENT TO IS THIS LIGHT LEGAL FOR ROAD USE? LOW VISIBILITY IS DANGEROUSLY LOW.

NHTSA ID
11386625
Incident
Jan 3, 2021
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2020

WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE, THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE ARE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE MAKING MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE ENGINE RADIATOR COOLING FAN ELECTRICAL CLUTCH BECOMES INOPERATIVE AND NO FRONT AIR CONDITIONING.

NHTSA ID
11350527
Incident
Aug 8, 2020
Mileage
11,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

401989

Generic troubleshooting documents for dealers.

401963

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Generic drawings to help service centers trouble shoot vehicles.

401951

Generic drawings to aid in trouble shooting components,

401940

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Additional electrical drawings for reference.

511381

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Cummins states per NHTSA Recall 21E-032, “The fuel rail assembly may develop leaks, which may result in an undetected prolonged diesel fuel spray.”

511452

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

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.

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—
2019Viewing690—
20181110—
20170110—
2016471—
2015130—
2014230—
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.