RoadVitals

2014 Forest River Forester

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.
3
Latest Apr 9, 2021
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.
3
Latest Jul 23, 2014
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Forest River Forester, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Electrical133.3%
  • Engine133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%

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

3 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
14V449000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jul 23, 2014
1,041 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Georgetown, Sunseeker, Forester, Cross Country, Pathfinder, Cardinal, Blue Ridge, Cedar Creek, and Brookstone recreational vehicles manufactured March 11, 2013, through April 26, 2013 and equipped with certain Frigidaire Convection Microwave models CFMV152CLB and CFMV154CLS. The microwave may start on it's own and begin heating when unattended.
The risk: If the microwave starts on its own and there are contents inside, a fire could result.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the membrane/keypad component, free of charge. The recall began in February 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383.
Forest River, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
13V251000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jun 18, 2013
289 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014 Sunseeker, Forester, Lexington, and Solera motorhomes manufactured between April 1, 2013, through May 21, 2013. The battery isolation manager (BIM) can develop a short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit may result in smoke, melting or a fire.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will replace the BIM. The recall is expected to begin during July 2013. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-206-7600.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Apr 9, 2021

MY MOTORHOME IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 51,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETRE , AND HAS A FULL SLIDE THAT HAS SUNKEN, DESTROYED THE COACH WALLS AND BROKEN THE FORD CHASSIS / FRAME IN 3 PLACES. I HAVE VIDEOS.& AN RV DEALERSHIP 'DESIGN FLAW' THE SLIDE IS UNUSABLE & I AM TOLD IN THE REPORT UNREPAIRABLE FOREST RIVER ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY

NHTSA ID
11407329
Incident
Oct 31, 2020
Mileage
51,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 6, 2019

ENGINE OIL WAS CONSUMED VERY QUICK, NORMALLY IT SHOULD BE 6 MONTHS TO DO OIL CHANGE, BUT FOR MY CAR IT IS ONLY 3 MONTHS AFTER THE OIL CHANGE WAS DONE,.THE OIL LEVEL IS VERY LOW

NHTSA ID
11184543
Incident
May 12, 2016
Mileage
37,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 18, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER FORESTER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE TWO HIGH AMPERAGE STORAGE BATTERIES WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES FROM THE FUEL CONTAINER (PROPANE). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE IMPACT COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION IF THE HIGH AMPERAGE TERMINAL MADE CONTACT WITH THE FUEL CONTAINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT AND BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK, AN EXPLOSIVE TYPE OF FAILURE WOULD POSSIBLY OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/16/14*CN UPON FURTHER SCRUTINY OF THE ELECTRICAL PANEL THAT CONTAINS THE TERMINALS IN QUESTION, I NOTICED THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE TERMINAL MOUNT INTO THE PANEL IS ALSO IN QUESTION. THE POSITIVE (+), ELECTRICAL TERMINAL IS MOUNTED INTO THE NEGATIVE (-), ELECTRICAL PANEL. IT APPEARS THAT THE TERMINALS ARE ISOLATED FROM THE PANEL USING SOME KIND OF INSULATING GROMMET. WHILE THE GROMMETS INSULATING INTEGRITY MAY SURVIVE AN IMPACT, THE TERMINAL ENDS OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND BUS BAR ATTACHED THROUGH THE PANEL COULD EASILY SHORT CIRCUIT WITH ONLY MODERATE DISTORTION. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL IN QUESTION IS THE PRIMARY ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE COACH. WORST CASE SCENARIO - THE TWO HIGH AMPERAGE (DEEP CYCLE) COACH BATTERIES COULD ALSO BE RECEIVING CHARGE THROUGH SAID TERMINAL FROM THE VEHICLE ALTERNATOR THROUGH THE VEHICLE BATTERY. ADDITIONALLY, CHARGE COULD ALSO SIMULTANEOUSLY BE PROVIDED FROM COACH AUXILIARY GENERATOR THROUGH ITS INVERTER. SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF ENERGY FOR ONE SMALL SPACE.

NHTSA ID
10556520
Incident
Dec 16, 2013

Manufacturer communications

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

18-172-13

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BULLETIN IS TO PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT CHANGES TO SERVICE MANUALS AVAILABLE VIA THE SUBARU TECHNICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (STIS) WEB SITE. THE TABLES CONTAINED WITHIN THIS BULLETIN ARE TO BE USED AS GUIDES FOR BECOMING AWARE OF THE LATEST CHANGES. WE ADVISE YOU TO ALWAYS REFER TO THE STIS WEB SITE WHEN LOOKING FOR THE LATEST SERVICE INFORMATION. PRINTED PAGES WILL NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE TO UPDATE PRINTED SERVICE MANUALS.

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 Forester by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025120—
2024120—
2023140—
2022230—
2021250—
2020030—
2019120—
2018131—
2017220—
2016730—
2015610—
2014Viewing330—
2013041—
2012111—
2011010—
2010010—
2006110—
2005110—
2004320—
2003020—
2002010—
2001110—
2000010—
1999010—
1998010—
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.