RoadVitals

2008 Forest River Charleston

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 Mar 29, 2015
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.
4
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 Charleston, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 4 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 & structure2100.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
10V079000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Mar 4, 2010
456 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CHARLESTON MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 16, 2007 AND SEPTEMBER 23, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS. THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL ARM MAY LOOSEN ALLOWING THE ARM TO ROTATE AROUND ITS SHAFT AND SWING IN FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REDUCING BRAKING FUNCTION.
The risk: A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER TO NOTIFY OWNERS. REPAIRS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY FREIGHTLINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS WARRANTY CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-647-0712.
FOREST RIVER, INC.Manufacturer number FL-569View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Mar 29, 2015

FRONT SIDE WALLS (STRUCTURE) SEPARATING FROM FRAME SUPPORT, SIDE WALLS SEPARATING MOVING INDEPENDENTLY FROM FLOORING. SCREWS ATTACHING SIDE WALL OF MOTOR HOME SHEARING CAUSING WALL SEPARATION. FRONT OF MOTOR HOME DROP AT LEAST ONE INCH. AIR ENTERING INTO PASSENGER AREA THROUGH GAP CREATED FROM WALL SEPARATION AND DROP. SCREWS USED TO ATTACH SIDE WALLS OF MOTOR HOME NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT SIDE WALLS. OTHERS HAVE HAD REPAIRS AND REPEATED FAILURES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10702421
Incident
Mar 25, 2015
Mileage
19,791 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 25, 2008

RV STANDING STILL AT THE TIME. PIECE OF TRIM FELL OFF. 1.5" X 1.5" X 13.5', SQUARE 1/8" THICK ALUMINUM TUBING. APPROX. 20 LBS. YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED IF I WAS DOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY!!! FOUND THAT IT WAS SECURED BY 4, SELF TAPPING SCREWS, THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. I HAVE THE SAME KIND OF TRIM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COACH (MUCH LONGER PIECE), WHERE I FOUND AT LEAST ONE SHEARED SCREW ALREADY. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID (JUST BRING IT IN AND GET IT FIXED!) KIND OF SCARES ME NOT KNOWING IF IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I DON'T SEE WHY NOT! THIS IS A FOREST RIVER, GEORGETOWN, MODEL 373. I'M PROVIDING THIS INFO BECAUSE YOUR DROP DOWN DOES NOT SHOW THIS MODEL!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10243474
Incident
Sep 24, 2008
Mileage
4,131 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Charleston by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2018050—
2017050—
2016150—
2015050—
2014050—
2013030—
2012040—
2011020—
2010020—
2009020—
2008Viewing240—
2007050—
2006020—
2005020—
2004020—
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.