RoadVitals

2017 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.
1
Latest Sep 5, 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 Oct 31, 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 2017 Forest River FR3, most frequently naming the suspension category. 2 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

  • Suspension1100.0%

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
18V768000

VISIBILITY

Oct 31, 2018
4,790 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Forest River Georgetown and FR3 motorhomes, 2018-2019 Berkshire motorhomes and 2018 Charleston motorhomes. The motorized windshield roller shade at the driver's seating position may unroll without warning while driving.
The risk: If the windshield roller shade unrolls while driving, it could block the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a fastener to ensure the motor will not allow the shade to roll down during while driving. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7605. Forest River's number for the recall is 68-0822.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 68-0822View 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

Suspension
Filed Sep 5, 2018

SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 30MPH, OVER BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS (MOST RECENTLY A RAILROAD CROSSING) THE FRONT END BEGINS TO VIBRATE, SHAKE AND BOUNCE VIOLENTLY INCREASING IN INTENSITY UNTIL STOPPED COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 9 TIMES IN NON-TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. THE 10TH TIME, WHILE TRAVELING IN SINGLE LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC I WAS FORCED INTO A TREE LINED EMBANKMENT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STOP AND AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION. AGAIN I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY NORMALLY BUT SUSTAINED DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION TO PARTS OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE RV MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THIS IS A FORD PROBLEM. THIS LAST TIME I WAS COMPELLED TO ELEVATE THIS SINCE IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. SO FAR I HAVE NOT HAD THIS HAPPEN IN HIGH SPEED SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ID
11124652
Incident
Sep 3, 2018
Mileage
12,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

680488

STRUCTURE

There is a potential sealant issue that needs to be addressed on your vehicle. The potential for this issue will allow water infiltration into the vehicle roof.

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 FR3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024120—
2023030—
2022230—
2021530—
2020040—
2019040—
2018321—
2017Viewing120—
2016121—
2015210—
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.