RoadVitals

2019 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.
1
Latest Mar 8, 2019
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 Aug 13, 2018
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 2019 Forest River Forester, most frequently naming the visibility category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 10 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

  • Visibility1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

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
18V527000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Aug 13, 2018
2,582 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Work and Play and Adrenaline recreational trailers, 2018-2019 Forest River Forester and XLR recreational trailers and 2018 Forest River Rockwood recreational trailers. The awning may deploy while moving.
The risk: If the awning deploys while moving, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the awning controller, free of charge. The recall began September 13, 2018. Owners may contact Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-6302, Forester customer service at 1-574-206-7600, Rockwood customer service at 1-574-642-4053, XLR Toyhauler customer service at 1-574-642-0432, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-538-4514 or [email protected]. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0715.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-0715View on NHTSA.gov
18V357000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Jun 1, 2018
471 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Forester and Sunseeker and Coachmen Leprechaun and Freelander motorhomes. The U-Bolts that secure the rear differential may not have been properly tightened, causing them to loosen over time and allowing the rear axles to shift.
The risk: Loose rear axle assemblies can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the U-Bolts and properly tighten or replace the U-Bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service for Sunseeker and Forester vehicles at 1-574-206-7600, or Coachmen customer service for Freelander and Leprechaun vehicles at 1-574-825-8602. Forest River's number for this recall is 105-0749.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 105-0749View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Mar 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FOREST RIVER FORESTER MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR ARM ONLY ALLOWED APPROXIMATELY TWO AND HALF FEET OF VISIBILITY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE VEHICLES IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT CALLED CAMPING WORLD OF COLORADO SPRINGS AT 888-627-1295 (LOCATED AT 6830 BANDLEY DR, FOUNTAIN, CO 80817) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,200. *JS

NHTSA ID
11185430
Incident
Oct 21, 2018
Mileage
1,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

511869

SERVICE BRAKES

According to GM Recall 24V702: "The brake lines in these cutaway vehicles may not meet the recommended clearance to the GM-provided body mounts. If brake lines contact the body mounts, the brake line may experience wear or damage that could lead to a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced stopping performance or inoperative service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

511869

According to General Motors Recall 24V702: "The brake lines in these cutaway vehicles may not meet the recommended clearance to the GM-provided body mounts. If brake lines contact the body mounts, the brake line may experience wear or damage that could lead to a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced stopping performance or inoperative service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash."

511640

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

According to General Motors Recall 23V247: "These vehicles are equipped with an unused circuit that a final-stage manufacturer may elect to use to install an optional rear HVAC system. If the final-stage manufacturer leaves the circuit's connectors or cut wires unsealed, exposure to moisture or contamination may, over time, cause corrosion. This could result in high current draw through the circuit at the vehicles' lower left side B-pillar. Unintended release of excessive heat from the circuit may pose a risk of a vehicle fire and increase the risk of injury."

511570

PARKING BRAKE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

According to the Interim Recall Notice Received by Mercedes-Benz concerning 22V796: "Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain Sprinter vehicles, a component of the park lock system might wear extraordinarily due to specific driver parking practices and impair safe parking of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not properly secured in accordance with parking instructions in the operator's manual (including usage of the parking brake), it cannot be ruled out that the vehicle might roll away from its parked position under certain circumstances. Thus, the risk of an accident could increase. The driver will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism. It is important that the driver ensures that the manual parking brake is engaged to adequately secure the vehicle against rolling away. Additionally, the parking level "P" is only to be inserted when the vehicle is completely stationary. The customer can find precise information on the parking process and on correct vehicle securing in their operator manual. Owners who notice any issues with the automatic transmission park lock function may contact their nearest Mercedes-Benz service partner immediately and have an appointment arranged for the vehicle to be inspected."

15-255-19R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Map Data Update Procedure for Harman Gen 3.1 Navigation equipped Head Units (H/U).

341238

STRUCTURE

This document is used to determine if a rear cross-member should be installed between the rear leveling jacks on any 2019 - 2021 Forester or Sunseeker Class C Motorhome.

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—
2019Viewing120—
2018131—
2017220—
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.