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2021 Forest River Columbus

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 Jun 17, 2022
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 Apr 17, 2024
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 2021 Forest River Columbus. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

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
24V272000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Apr 17, 2024
4,480 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Forest River Cardinal, Wildcat, 2018-2019 Cedar Creek, 2021 Columbus, 2023 Continental Cargo, 2021-2024 Dynamax DX3, Dynamax Dynaquest XL, Dynamax Isata, Forest River IBEX, 2022-2024 Dynamax Europa, Forest River NOBO, 2022-2023 Forest River Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, and 2021-2023 Dynamax Force trailers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat.
The risk: A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will disconnect and cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by May 14, 2024. Owners may contact Suburban customer service at 1-574-247-9235 option 5; Cardinal & Wildcat customer service at 1-574-296-7700; Cedar Creek customer service at 1-260-593-4000; Columbus customer service at 1-574-821-1487; Continental Cargo customer service at 1-254-420-0171; Dynamax customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Ibex & Nobo customer service at 1-574-6421612; and Sandstorm & Shockwave customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1760.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1760View on NHTSA.gov
22V243000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

Apr 13, 2022
99,190 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
The risk: A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1501View on NHTSA.gov
21V374000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:SWITCHES/KNOBS/BUTTONS; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SERVICE PANEL:BREAKERS/RELAYS

May 21, 2021
93 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Columbus Fifth Wheel trailers. The breakaway switch and trailer brakes may not activate when needed due to an incorrectly wired breakaway switch.
The risk: Failure of the breakaway switch and trailer brakes can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-821-1487. Forest River's number for this recall is 410-1350.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 410-1350View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Jun 17, 2022

*I lost brakes and came close to colliding with another vehicle in Virginia, and Camping World tech found wiring inside axel that goes to brakes was shorting on the axle was acting as a ground. I need this repair made correct and permanent. *The furnace is inoperable, Camping World's diagnosis- ignition board failure. (Suburban Sf-35VHQ 211332028D) I could not get warm in cold climate. *Sliding glass shower door came open in transit and right-side glass pane chipped and handles broke off, one of the three glass panes, after I attached it properly for transportation. Camping World confirmed this malfunction. (Cut hazard)

NHTSA ID
11469729
Incident
Apr 14, 2022

Manufacturer communications

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

4101598

EQUIPMENT

The backsplash may warp from the heat of the range.

4101371-S

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; STRUCTURE

Possible poor seal insulation at the return air portion and/or air duct or trunk line of the air conditioner.

4101430

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:ELECTRIC WATER HEATER; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

Water Heater Configuration.

511377

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

As per Lippert Components Technical Service Bulletin 11-004-21. The slide room actuator was assembled incorrectly, which may cause the room to become stuck in the out position and prevent from fully retracting.

831334

WHEELS

It was discovered that the manufacturing plant did not cut a stress relief line in the upper deck Driver Side and in on certain models, Passenger Side under the slide room(s). The upper deck in the Impression Fifth-Wheel needs to flex, without the "stress relief cut" the sidewall filon may crack under the slide room(s).

4101316

EQUIPMENT

The black tank flush may have been plumbed backwards.

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 Columbus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024100—
2023000—
2022120—
2021Viewing140—
2020010—
2019010—
2018210—
2017110—
2015100—
2014100—
2013100—

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.