RoadVitals

2012 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.
9
Latest Aug 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.
3
Latest Dec 6, 2024
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.
1
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Forest River Georgetown, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, brakes and body & structure categories. 3 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 / unspecified222.2%
  • Brakes222.2%
  • Body & structure111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%

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

3 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
24V913000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Dec 6, 2024
6,963 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2009-2017 Georgetown Class A motorhomes. The amber turn signal lens has an undersized reflective surface. 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: Inadequately reflective turn signals can make it difficult for other drivers to see when the vehicle intends to turn, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the turn signal, and bulb, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 11, 2025. Owners may call Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-1875.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 68-1875View on NHTSA.gov
15V798000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Nov 25, 2015
9,687 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014 FR3, 2009 Forest River Encore, Sportscoach Elite, and Aurora, 2008-2009 Cruise Master, 2012-2015 Aviator, 2007-2014 Georgetown, 2007-2009 Legend, 2008-2012 Ridgeview, 2008-2014 Cross Country, 2010-2014 Coachmen Encounter, 2009-2014 Pathfinder, Solera, Mirada, Prism, and Pursuit motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.
The risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism, free of charge. Forest River issued an interim notification to owners on January 7, 2016. The recall began on March 3, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service number at 1-574-389-4600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102015-0109. Or owners can contact Lippert Components at 1-574-537-8900.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-11102015-0109View on NHTSA.gov
12V200000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

May 8, 2012
1,468 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 GEORGETOWN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON A FORD STRIPPED CHASSIS, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2011. THE GEAR SHIFTER’S CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE GEAR DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.
The risk: AN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INCREASES THE RISK THAT A VEHICLE IS LEFT IN GEAR, SUCH THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL LEADING TO A CRASH OR INJURY TO A BYSTANDER.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. FOREST RIVER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-295-8749.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Suspension
Filed Aug 26, 2021

The sidewall on the passenger side broke free from the frame. Inadequate screws were used to fasten the sidewall to the frame and they were sheared off. This resulted in a gap between the floor and sidewall, with the pavement evident below, while travelling at 60 mph down the highway. The floor appears to be dropping. I believe this to be an engineering design flaw. Of note, this happened suddenly with no warning while travelling down the highway. I am reporting this as a Canadian resident because this RV was manufactured in the USA. Your contact page does not allow for addresses outside the US, so I chose Alaska as the state.

NHTSA ID
11430601
Incident
Aug 5, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Dec 5, 2018

WE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AFTER DRIVING THE RV. UPON INSPECTION, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, WE FOUND A FUEL LEAK (DRIP) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE UNIT IS IN FOR REPAIRS NOW AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL RETURN LINE IS CORRODED FROM THE OUTSIDE IN. ONCE REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE I WILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART FOR EVIDENCE. THIS RV HAS ALSO HAD TWO BRAKE LINE FAILURES, ONE IN 2015 AND ONE IN 2018, ALL DUE TO THE LINES CORRODING FROM THE OUTSIDE IN. THE UNIT IS NOT DRIVEN DURING THE WINTER, AND WE FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THESE ARE NOT DEFECTIVE PARTS INSTALLED BY FORD SINCE THE UNIT IS RELATIVELY NEW AND THE FIRST ISSUE OCCURRED WHEN THE UNIT WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. NOTE ALTHOUGH THIS IS A GEORGETOWN 378XL RV, THE ISSUES ARE WITH THE FORD CHASSIS.

NHTSA ID
11156367
Incident
Nov 25, 2018
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 2018

WHILE DRIVING MY RV I COMPLETELY LOST ALL BRAKING POWER, WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THANKFULLY I WAS ON A FLAT ROAD AND KNEW HOW TO DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL I COULD STOP AT A SAFE PLACE. WHEN I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID THE CONTAINER WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY, AND I NEVER RECEIVED A LOW BRAKE FLUID INDICATOR LIGHT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME A BRAKE LINE HAS CORRODED FROM THE OUTSIDE IN - THE OTHER LINE FAILED IN DECEMBER 2015. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED LATE SEPTEMBER 2018. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND HASN'T BEEN RECALLED/ADDRESSED. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ON A HIGHWAY OR GOING DOWN A HILL A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR. CORROSION FROM THE OUTSIDE IN IS NOT NORMAL WEAR, IT IS CLEAR THE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE SAVED THE FAULTY BRAKE LINES FROM BOTH INSTANCES FOR EVIDENCE.

NHTSA ID
11156363
Incident
Sep 16, 2018
Mileage
44,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 1, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER GEORGETOWN WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE RV. THE SMOKE DISSIPATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED TRANSFER SWITCH FAILED, HINGES FRT DOOR, CABINETS, SLIDE OUT SOFA CHAIR FAILED, LOST SOUND ON TV, AC NEVER GETS COLD, AND LARGE (SLIDE OUT) SHAKES AND TREMBLES. UPDATED 7/12/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
10929428
Incident
Aug 12, 2016
Mileage
12,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 9, 2016

BODY TO SIDEWALL SCREWS SHEARING OFF FROM FRAME. BODY WILL DROP 1IN. TO 2IN. FROM FRAME. CAN ALSO SEE THE GROUND BY YOUR LEFT FOOT FROM DRIVER SIDE OR FROM RIGHT FOOT IF ON PASSENGER SIDE. GAP CAN BE A MUST AS 1IN. FROM INSIDE WALL TO FLOORBOARD. SCREWS NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH LARGER BOLTS AND NUTS.

NHTSA ID
10894395
Incident
Jun 10, 2016
Mileage
34,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 15, 2015

WHILE DRIVING MY BRAKES FIRST APPEARED SOFT, THEN I RECEIVED A LOW BRAKE FLUID WARNING. AFTER ADDING BRAKE FLUID, THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN ABOUT 20 MILES. TOOK THE UNIT TO A MECHANIC WHO FOUND THERE WAS A SMALL HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE DUE TO CORROSION (FROM THE OUTSIDE - IN) RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED IN MULTIPLE PLACES, IT WAS A MIRACLE A DISASTER DID NOT HAPPEN WITH THIS UNIT! I DO NOT DRIVE THE UNIT ON SALT COVERED ROADS, IT IS WINTERIZED AND PARKED ALL WINTER. I ALSO DO NOT LIVE IN AN AREA WITH SALT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED ON A STATE HIGHWAY IN SC WHILE HEADED HOME FROM A DOG SHOW IN FL TO MY HOME IN CT. I WILL HAVE THE PART SAVED AFTER THEY REPLACE IT FOR DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ID
10810441
Incident
Dec 14, 2015
Mileage
20,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 18, 2015

STEP OUT OF DOOR ONTO LIPPERT ELECTRIC STEPS AND ELECTRIC STEPS COLLAPSED UNDER ME. MAIN GEAR ASSSEMBLY BOLT BROKEN IN HALF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10684011
Incident
Jun 27, 2013
Mileage
5,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2013
3 injuries reported

2012 GEORGETOWN 378 F MOTORHOME MANUFACTURED BY FORREST RIVER. RV GENERATOR EXHAUST LEAKING INTO CABIN OF RV AND MAKING OCCUPANTS SICK. CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS RINGING WHENEVER GENERATOR WAS TURNED ON. SLIDEOUTS ON RV DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND ARE ALLOWING VEHICLE EXHAUST INTO THE CABIN OF THE RV MAKING OCCUPANTS SICK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548324
Incident
Feb 15, 2013
Mileage
3,000 mi

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—
2012Viewing930—
2011740—
2010730—
2009330—
2008530—
2007320—
2006020—
2005530—
20041040—
2003550—
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.