2021 Forest River Flagstaff Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Forest River Flagstaff, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure220.0%
- Brakes220.0%
- Electrical220.0%
- Suspension220.0%
- Other / unspecified110.0%
- Powertrain (other)110.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Flagstaff Lite Weight Trailer towed by a 2015 GMC 2500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and towing the trailer, two full 7.5 propane tanks detached from the trailer and both were being dragged behind the RV. The contact was notified by another driver that the tanks were being dragged behind the RV. The contact pulled over safely and placed both propane tanks into the trailer. The contact stated that the backing plates on the tanks were missing. Additionally, the tanks were not installed correctly. The contact diagnosed the failure and repaired the trailer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
On the morning May 22nd, just 45 minutes after we left our home in Portland, our trailer burst into flames on 1-84 off exit 44 near Cascade Locks. It was inexplicable as to why this happened. It was a brand new trailer with less than 2k miles on it and purchased in December 2020. As you can see from the pictures, it was a total loss. We are filing this report to help protect others. We are a part of the forest river group and quality seems to be a concern. Demand for these vehicles have skyrocketed and many feel that QA has been downgraded in order to get these trailers to market.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
On the morning May 22nd, just 45 minutes after we left our home in Portland, our trailer burst into flames on 1-84 off exit 44 near Cascade Locks. It was inexplicable as to why this happened. It was a brand new trailer with less than 2k miles on it and purchased in December 2020. As you can see from the pictures, it was a total loss. We are filing this report to help protect others. We are a part of the forest river group and quality seems to be a concern. Demand for these vehicles have skyrocketed and many feel that QA has been downgraded in order to get these trailers to market.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2021 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF MICROLIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SORE NECK, HIP, AND BACK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRAD WRECKERS SERVICE AND THEN TAKEN TO A & L RV SALES (4503 BRISTOL HWY, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601) WHERE A FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES SO THEY INSTALLED BLUETOOTH BRAKE CONTROLLERS TO HELP WITH BRAKES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.*DT*JB*DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
On the morning May 22nd, just 45 minutes after we left our home in Portland, our trailer burst into flames on 1-84 off exit 44 near Cascade Locks. It was inexplicable as to why this happened. It was a brand new trailer with less than 2k miles on it and purchased in December 2020. As you can see from the pictures, it was a total loss. We are filing this report to help protect others. We are a part of the forest river group and quality seems to be a concern. Demand for these vehicles have skyrocketed and many feel that QA has been downgraded in order to get these trailers to market.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2021 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF MICROLIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SORE NECK, HIP, AND BACK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRAD WRECKERS SERVICE AND THEN TAKEN TO A & L RV SALES (4503 BRISTOL HWY, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601) WHERE A FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES SO THEY INSTALLED BLUETOOTH BRAKE CONTROLLERS TO HELP WITH BRAKES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.*DT*JB*DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Flagstaff RV. The contact stated that the front driver’s side tire was significantly worn and damaged after driving approximately 200-500 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a bearing retainer nut had detached and caused the tire damage. The dealer made an unknown adjustment; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was being diagnosed. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
I TOOK POSSESSION OF MY BRAND NEW E-PRO COACH ON MARCH 12, 2021 AND ON MARCH 31,2021 THE AXLE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. LUCKILY I WAS TRAVEL AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED AS WELL AS ANY PASSENGERS, OTHER TRAVELERS, BYSTANDERS ETC. IF THIS OCCURRED AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED OR IN ANY OTHER AREA. THE BOLTS THAT SHOULD OF ATTACHED THE COACH TO THE FRAME WHERE KNOW WHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE MILE AND A HALF I WALKED SEARCHING FOR THEM ON THE ROADWAY WHICH WAS RECENTLY TRAVELED. I PURCHASED THE COACH FROM WESTERN SKIES RV IN RENO, NV. I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM ABOUT THIS MATTER. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE NEXT STEPS I SHOULD TAKE TO RESOLVE THIS VEHICLE MATTER. THANK YOU *DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Flagstaff Lite Weight Trailer towed by a 2015 GMC 2500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and towing the trailer, two full 7.5 propane tanks detached from the trailer and both were being dragged behind the RV. The contact was notified by another driver that the tanks were being dragged behind the RV. The contact pulled over safely and placed both propane tanks into the trailer. The contact stated that the backing plates on the tanks were missing. Additionally, the tanks were not installed correctly. The contact diagnosed the failure and repaired the trailer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TOOK POSSESSION OF MY BRAND NEW E-PRO COACH ON MARCH 12, 2021 AND ON MARCH 31,2021 THE AXLE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. LUCKILY I WAS TRAVEL AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES PER HOUR. I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED AS WELL AS ANY PASSENGERS, OTHER TRAVELERS, BYSTANDERS ETC. IF THIS OCCURRED AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED OR IN ANY OTHER AREA. THE BOLTS THAT SHOULD OF ATTACHED THE COACH TO THE FRAME WHERE KNOW WHERE TO BE FOUND IN THE MILE AND A HALF I WALKED SEARCHING FOR THEM ON THE ROADWAY WHICH WAS RECENTLY TRAVELED. I PURCHASED THE COACH FROM WESTERN SKIES RV IN RENO, NV. I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM ABOUT THIS MATTER. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE NEXT STEPS I SHOULD TAKE TO RESOLVE THIS VEHICLE MATTER. THANK YOU *DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .