RoadVitals

2017 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.
2
Latest Aug 1, 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 Jun 27, 2016
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Forest River Forester, most frequently naming the electrical, heating & air conditioning and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical225.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning112.5%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%
  • Visibility112.5%

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
16V465000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Jun 27, 2016
1,999 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Forester motorhomes manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 25, 2016, Sunseeker motorhomes manufactured April 4, 2014, to May 25, 2016, 2015-2016 Solera motorhomes manufactured February 28, 2014, to September 17, 2015, and 2016 Isata motorhomes manufactured October 30, 2015, to May 26, 2016. Water may leak into the electrical module that controls the vehicle taillights, brake lights, turn signal lights, clearance lights and marker lights, making the lights inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the rear brake lights fail to illuminate, following motorists may not realize that the vehicle in front of them is stopping. Inoperative taillights, clearance lights and marker lights will make the vehicle less visible to others. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on August 16, 2016. The recall began on December 8, 2016. Forester, Solera, and Sunseeker owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Isata customers should call 1-574-262-3474. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-06012016-0206.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-06012016-0206View on NHTSA.gov
16V336000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

May 23, 2016
13 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Forester and Sunseeker recreational vehicles manufactured from February 29, 2016, through April 20, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with a shower door that may not meet the flammability standards. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 302, "Flammability of Interior Materials."
The risk: Failure to meet the flammability standard of FMVSS 302 could enhance the spread of a flame in the event of a fire, increasing the risk serious injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shower doors, free of charge. The recall began on July 11, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 34-05052016-0184.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 34-05052016-0184View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureHeating & air conditioningElectrical+2 more
Filed Aug 1, 2018

2017 FOREST RIVER FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VARIOUS DEFECTS EXPERIENCED WITH THE MOTORHOME. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF DEFECTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE HVAC SYSTEM, LEVELING JACK, SLIDE OUT, SPEAKERS, ELECTRICAL WIRING, ENGINE LOSES POWER, AND MULTIPLE TRIM DEFECTS. *JS

NHTSA ID
11112700
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Driver assistanceElectricalVisibility
Filed Sep 7, 2017

THERE IS A BLIND SPOT THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER. THE MIRROR IS TO SMALL AND DOES NOT REACH OUT ENOUGH. THE CAMERA SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE AND INADEQUATE. TO LONG OF TIME DELAY WHEN DIRECTIONAL IS USED. THE ELECTRICAL SHORE CONNECTION IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
11022181
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
1,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

341804

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

According to a Ford Campaign 23N04: "Ford is extending the warranty for 11 years or 120,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first for the Exhaust Gas Temperature sensor."

511312

WHEELS

As per Mercedes Interim Recall Notice 21V042, one or more of the rear-wheel speed sensors may experience an electrical failure, which potentially could lead to a disablement of the Electronic Stability Control control unit functions. If ESP control unit functions are disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

511083

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that a defect related to a motor vehicle emissions control system may exist on certain Model Year 2016-2018 Sprinter models. Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. (MBC) therefore has initiated a voluntary warranty extension related to the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve on these vehicles.

15-205-16R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This bulletin announces new reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address additional operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving ?Gen 2? F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7? display.

510660

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

According to the attached letter from Daimler AG/Mercedes-Benz; ?Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles, has determined that the glass cover of the exhaust gas temperature sensor (upstream of turbocharger B16/11) on certain Model Year 2011 ? 2015 Sprinter vans could break when exposed to extreme high or low temperatures. This could result in incorrect temperature sensor readings. If this occurs the ?Check Engine? light will be illuminated and the vehicle will experience a loss of power and enter into a limp home mode.?

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—
2017Viewing220—
2016730—
2015610—
2014330—
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.