RoadVitals

2017 Forest River Charleston

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
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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 Aug 18, 2020
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.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Forest River Charleston. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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.

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
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
18V737000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Oct 19, 2018
1,017 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2017-2019 Coachmen Sportscoach and Forest River Berkshire and Legacy and 2017-2018 Forest River Charleston motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) chassis. 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: Nonfunctioning lights can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. Owners will be notified and be sent to FCCC authorized service facilities for free repairs. Forest River issued owners an interim notification on November 16, 2018. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3112 or Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-5821. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0893.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-0893View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

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

511452

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Notice of Submission of Defect Information Report/Defect Information Notice. Subject: FCCC Rear PDM. 21V00H.

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—
2017Viewing050—
2016150—
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.