RoadVitals

2016 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.
1
Latest Aug 7, 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.
5
Latest Mar 19, 2018
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2016 Forest River Charleston, most frequently naming the steering category. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Steering1100.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
18V179000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Mar 19, 2018
416 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire, 2012-2017 Forest River Charleston, 2013-2015 Coachmen Cross Country and Pathfinder, and 2014-2015 Glaval Synergy motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) chassis. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.
The risk: Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose to provide proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, Forest River customer service at 1-574-295-2117, Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-8212, or Glaval customer service at 1-574-343-5167. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0665.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-0665View 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
16V472000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Jun 28, 2016
138 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Charleston vehicles manufactured September 16, 2013, to December 10, 2015 and assembled on a Freightliner chassis built by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). The throttle pedal position sensor on the affected vehicles may not return to zero, causing the engine brake to suddenly not activate as expected, reducing the vehicle's deceleration ability.
The risk: A sudden loss of an engine brake without warning on a motorhome may lead to a reduced brake capacity, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks North America dealers will replace the pedal, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2016. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks Customer Service Department at 1-800-547-0712 or by E-mail at [email protected]. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-06202016-0214.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 40-06202016-0214View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Aug 7, 2015

THIS MOTORHOME WAS PURCHASED AT THE END OF MAY 2015. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SOME TIME IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE CONDITION WAS GETTING WORSE. I SCHEDULED THE MOTORHOME FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN THIS MORNING FOR THAT ALIGNMENT. IMMEDIATELY UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE ALIGNMENT TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THAT THE TIE ROD TUBE THAT CONNECTS THE FRONT WHEELS HAD NEVER BEEN TIGHTENED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SINCE THIS TUBE WAS ALLOWED TO FREELY ROTATE, GIVEN ENOUGH TIME, THE STEERING WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED ONCE THE TUBE HAD UNSCREWED TO THE END OF IT'S TRAVEL. THIS MAY BE A DEFECT ON OTHER VEHICLES OR IT MAY BE UNIQUE TO THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE ADVISED OF THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/24/2015*JS

NHTSA ID
10747016
Incident
Aug 7, 2015
Mileage
4,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

401338

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

400532

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

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.

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 Charleston by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2018050—
2017050—
2016Viewing150—
2015050—
2014050—
2013030—
2012040—
2011020—
2010020—
2009020—
2008240—
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.