RoadVitals

2015 Forest River FR3

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 Apr 26, 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.
1
Latest Nov 15, 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 2015 Forest River FR3, most frequently naming the exterior lighting category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Exterior lighting2100.0%

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

1 campaign 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
16V828000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 15, 2016
1,104 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 FR3 motorhomes manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 12, 2016; 2015-2017 Prime Time Spartan toyhaulers manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 31, 2016; 2013-2016 Palomino Columbus toyhaulers manufactured October 4, 2012, to December 4, 2015; and 2015-2016 XLR Thunderbolt and Nitro toyhaulers manufactured May 23, 2014, to November 23, 2016. These vehicles were equipped with certain aluminum, black, ladders manufactured by Christianson Industries. The affected ladders have retractable hinges, each with a welded 'top hat' that can separate from the hinge.
The risk: If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on January 3, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102016-0271.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-11102016-0271View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 26, 2021

HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM, WILL NOT LIGHT UP THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. HIGH BEAMS DO NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY BRIGHTER. FOREST RIVER FORUM SAYS KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2016 AND PREVIOUS FR3 MODELS.

NHTSA ID
11414046
Incident
Apr 4, 2021
Mileage
8,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER FR3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BECOME DIM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD IN THE RAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SELL HIM REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 11/03/17*LJ UPDATED 11/13/2017*JS *DT CONSUMER STATED HIS NEPHEW HELPED TO ADJUST THE LIGHTS BUT UNABLE TO MAKE IT SAFE SO BOUGHT NEW HEADLIGHTS.*JB

NHTSA ID
11022199
Incident
Jun 8, 2016
Mileage
19,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River FR3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024120—
2023030—
2022230—
2021530—
2020040—
2019040—
2018321—
2017120—
2016121—
2015Viewing210—
2014210—

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.