RoadVitals

2003 Forest River Georgetown

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.
5
Latest Apr 23, 2012
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.
5
Latest Oct 1, 2010
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Forest River Georgetown, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, brakes and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have 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

  • Other / unspecified240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Visibility120.0%

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

5 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

EQUIPMENT

Oct 1, 2010
2,207 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIMPLEX ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OR OPTIFLAME BRANDED ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THE PLUG IN REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER FOR THE FIREPLACE CAN OVERHEAT.
The risk: AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX AND DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Apr 3, 2009
48,876 units potentially affected
The defect: NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MY 2001-2008 WORKHORSE W20, W21 AND W22 CHASSIS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MONACO RV ADMIRAL, ARISTA, MONARCH, AND RIPTIDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.
The risk: THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: WORKHORSE DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR BOSCH BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.
NAVISTAR, INCManufacturer number 50901-C & 51101-CView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jul 7, 2008
107,417 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2003-2006 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Apr 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER GEORGETOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY SHATTERED WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT GLASS DEALER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD FRACTURED 14 DIFFERENT TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE GLASS DEALER STATED THAT THERE MAY BE A DEFECT WITH THE FRAME AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000....UPDATED 06/05/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN WHEN HE RECEIVED THE RV. UPDATED 06/18/12

NHTSA ID
10456171
Incident
Oct 15, 2002
Mileage
1,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2010

WE PURCHASED A 2003 FOREST RIVER GEORGETOWN MOTORHOME, WITH A WORKHORSE P-30 CHASIS LAST YEAR. WE HAVE HAD THE MOTORHOME LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND HAVE PUT LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON IT BECAUSE OF A MAJOR ISSUE. WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, OUR AUTO PARK LIGHT COMES ON, AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE ANYWHERE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY AND WE ARE AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. BOTH TIMES, THIS ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. WE HAVE HAD TO BE TOWED, HAD 2 VACATIONS RUINED, HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL AND PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS AND DIAGNOSTICS. BOTH TIMES, IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THE RGS PRESSURE SWITCH AND THE RELAY SWITCH. WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS, THAT THIS IS A PART THAT FAILS REGULARLY AND WERE TOLD TO KEEP ONE ON HAND AND SHOWN HOW TO REPLACE IT. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WHY SHOULD I CARRY EXTRA PARTS, NOT FOR IF THE PART GOES, BUT FOR WHEN IT GOES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE AWARE OF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10342102
Incident
Jun 26, 2010
Mileage
51,351 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 3, 2009

WHILE MAKING A TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH S.C. THIS SUMMER, WE HAD THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE FLASHERS QUIT WORKING ON OUR 2003 GEORGETOWN MOTORHOME BY FOREST RIVER. WE HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT IN MYRTLE BEACH BY A WORKHORSE APPROVED GARAGE. WE FEEL THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD AND WAS TOLD BY THE GARAGE THAT THEY REPLACE SEVERAL OF THE TURN SIGNAL UNITS A YEAR. BEING UNABLE TO SIGNAL FOR LANE CHANGE OR TURNS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WE CONTACTED WORKHORSE AND WAS TOLD THE MOTORHOME IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS IS NOT AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IF THIS IS HAPPENING AS OFTEN AS THE GARAGE INDICATED, IT IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. WOULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294423
Incident
Jul 12, 2009
Mileage
16,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER AMERICANA (NA) FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR STOPPED COOLING. APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOURS LATER, SHE SMELLED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF AMMONIA, AND HER HUSBAND REMOVED THE BACK PANEL FROM THE REFRIGERATOR. HER HUSBAND WITNESSED A YELLOW SUBSTANCE SHOOTING FROM THE BURNER HOUSING. HE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE REFRIGERATOR AND REMOVED ALL THE FOOD FROM THE UNIT. THE AMMONIA SMELL REMAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE LOCAL RV DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL RELATED TO THE DOMETIC FAILURE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO CALL DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE UNIT. DOMETIC REFUSED TO REPAIR THE UNIT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1,400 FOR THE NEW UNIT. SHE CALLED DOMETIC ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO ADDRESS HER CONCERNS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO INFORMATION OF THE HEALTH RISKS INVOLVED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE MILEAGE WAS NOT APPLICABLE.

NHTSA ID
10232290
Incident
Jun 5, 2008
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 7, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER GEORGETOWN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR RECALL ON MARCH 24, 2008. HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH STERICYCLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT, AS OF TWO WEEKS AGO, DOMETIC NO LONGER REPLACED THE BURNER HOUSING, AND THEY WILL ONLY INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD AS THE REMEDY. THE CONTACT ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A MANAGER DID NOT WISH TO SPEAK WITH HIM. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 04/28/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10223595
Incident
Apr 7, 2008

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Georgetown by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025210
2024320
2023320
2022230
2021540
20201060
2019470
2018450
2017760
2016340
2015331
2014550
2013640
2012930
2011740
2010730
2009330
2008530
2007320
2006020
2005530
20041040
2003Viewing550
2002650
2001750
2000430
1999320
1998110
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.