RoadVitals

2013 Forest River Flagstaff

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 Sep 5, 2018
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.
2
Latest Nov 7, 2013
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.
1
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 2013 Forest River Flagstaff, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, suspension and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Other / unspecified337.5%
  • Suspension225.0%
  • Tires & wheels225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
13V554000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY; TIRES

Nov 7, 2013
721 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Rockwood, Windjammer, Vlite and Flagstaff travel trailers manufactured February 3, 2012, through February 4, 2013. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.
The risk: As a result, the tire may become damaged and possibly blow out which may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add a lift kit between the frame and the axle mounting brackets, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-825-7178.
Forest River, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
13V203000

EQUIPMENT

May 17, 2013
9,526 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.
The risk: If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Forest River, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ14004ClosedRecall Query

Trailer tire may contact floor

Opened Sep 10, 2014
Closed Jul 9, 2015

ODI opened RQ14-004 based on 3 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) which reported a condition similar to recall 13V-554.This recall addressed insufficient clearance between the tire and trailer floor.The condition was due to a frame supplier change which resulted in reduced clearance between the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel wellOf the three VOQs reported in the opening resume two were not included in recall 13V-554 and one was.Both of the vehicles not included used a different frame than the recalled trailers.Upon thorough examination of the condition experienced by the owners it was found that neither unit exhibited insufficient tire clearance between the bottom of the floor and top of the tire.Forest River's initial Information Request Response (IRR) submission did not adequately address all the questions asked by ODI.Following a meetingwith Forest River personnel on March 20, 2015 an IRR was submitted on May 22, 2015, which satisfied ODI.This submission is included in the public repository.When asked how Forest River identified the recall population they used a production change to determine the start and end dates.On February 3, 2012 Forest River introduced a new frame.The engineering drawings used to launch this new frame failed to identify the frame rail height.Furthermore, Forest River failed to verify that the new frame rail height was the same as the one it replaced.This created a half inch reduction in clearance.This issue was not identified and remedied untilFebruary 4, 2013 which is the end of the recall population. A thorough review of the complaint and warranty informationreceived during this investigation was preformed.After removing claims that could be associated with recall 13V-554 a defect trend was not identified on the remaining population.The only crash which also included an injurycould not be positively associated with the alleged defect. This investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers: 10598458, 10598344, 10538519.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 5, 2018

TOWING TRAILER ON HIGHWAY. SPEED WAS 60 MPH. TRAILER HAS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SWAYING. PULLED OF HIGHWAY AND INSPECTED THE TIRES TO FIND FOOTBALL SIZED BUBBLE IN ONE OF THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. THIS COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES. THE TIRES ARE KENDA KARRIER LOAD STAR ST205/75R14

NHTSA ID
11124513
Incident
Sep 4, 2018
Mileage
3,000 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Feb 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TIRE BLEW OUT AND IT WAS UNKNOWN ON THE TIRE FAILURE LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED A WEEK AFTER THE SPARE WAS INSTALLED, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRE. CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V554000 (SUSPENSION, TIRES) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL AND THEY WOULD NEED TO USE THEIR INSURANCE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10957202
Incident
Feb 20, 2017
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZING JACK FAILED AND ONLY CLOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. MA 10/16/15

NHTSA ID
10733568
Incident
Jul 6, 2015
Mileage
1,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 15, 2014

AXLE IS TOO CLOSE TO TRAILER BODY CAUSING TIRE RUB AND ALSO DAMAGE TO BODY OF TRAILER. *JS

NHTSA ID
10598344
Incident
Jun 15, 2014
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAG STAFF FIFTH WHEEL WITH LIONS HEAD TRAIL EXPRESS TIRES (N/A), SIZE:225-75-15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/12/13*CN THE TIRE COMPANY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE NOT CORRECT FOR THE LOAD RANGE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL OF THE TIRES. UPDATED 11/19/13

NHTSA ID
10541840
Incident
Jul 23, 2013
Mileage
2,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 3, 2013

ON 6/19/13 WE LEFT FROM BURLINGTON, WI - CLINTON, NY WITH OUR TRAILER. ON OUR DRIVE BACK TO WI, WE HAD STOPPED AT A TRUCK STOP IN INDIANA AROUND 10:30 PM ON 6/28 TO GET FUEL & SNACKS FROM THE TRAILER. ONCE WE ARRIVED HOME WE REALIZED THAT THE OUTSIDE LATCH DOOR THAT COVERED THE OUTDOOR REFRIGERATOR HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF, THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR ITSELF HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF, & BOTH SETS OF STEPS WERE BENT BY THE DOORS COMING OFF & HOLES & DENTS DOWN THE BOTTOM/LOWER SIDE OF THE CAMPER. THE TIRES ON THE CAMPER HAD WORN THROUGH THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE CAMPER & THERE WAS LESS THAN 1? OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TIRES & TRAILER BOTTOM. WE CONTACTED SCENIC RV & WERE TOLD TO BRING THE TRAILER BACK. THE MANGER CONTACTED US MON. MORNING & STATED THAT THERE WAS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE & THE CLEARANCE ON THE TRAILER. WE BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE BOUNCING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRAILER & WITH ALL OF THE VIBRATION, IT CAUSED THE LATCH DOOR TO BOUNCE OUT OF THE LOCK CATCH ( ?DEEP) & FLY OFF. WE CONTACTED FOREST RIVER & THEY TOLD US THAT THERE WERE NO MANUFACTURING ISSUES & THE AXLES WERE CORRECT FOR THAT TRAILER. AFTER A LOT OF CORRESPONDENCE TO THE DEALERSHIP, FOREST RIVER & DEXTER AXLE WE FOUND OUT THAT THE AXLES SPEC?D FOR THE TRAILER WERE NOT THE AXLES THAT WERE INSTALLED ON OUR TRAILER. WE TALKED WITH A WOMAN IN THE WARRANTY DEPT. & AFTER I READ HER THE SERIAL NUMBERS FROM THE AXLES, SHE STATED THAT THOSE WERE NOT THE AXLES SPEC?D FOR OUR TRAILER. I HAVE ALSO FOUND MORE FOREST RIVER TRAILER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE AXLES REPLACED WHILE OTHERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIPS INSTALL & DEXTER LIFT KIT UNDER THE TRAILER TO RAISE IT UP. THERE ARE MULTIPLE STORIES ON THE FOREST RIVER FORUM THAT DETAIL THIS ISSUE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE TRAVELING LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THOSE DOORS FLEW OFF; SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10538519
Incident
Jun 29, 2013
Mileage
1,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

10C1387

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Helpful document to remove and replace a flush floor slideroom box/floor.

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 Flagstaff by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026120—
2024200—
2023010—
2022140—
2021520—
20201120—
2019760—
2018550—
2017470—
2016120—
2015400—
2014221—
2013Viewing621—
2012611—
2008210—
2007220—
2006010—
2005520—
2004210—
2003020—
2002110—
2001010—
2000010—
1999010—
1998110—
1997010—

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.